Important Dates

Submission open: 1st October, 2025

Submission close: 30th April, 2026

Expected time to first decision: 7 working days before peer review

Anticipated publication date: September 2026

 

Scope of this Special Issue

In vitro and in vivo models are indispensable tools for elucidating the physiological and molecular mechanisms underlying animal nutrition and health. These models serve as a critical bridge between fundamental research and practical applications in animal production.

 

Recent advancements in model systems—such as organoids, organs-on-chips, simulated digestion systems, germ-free animals, and gnotobiotic animals—have significantly enhanced our ability to:

• Investigate nutrient digestion and metabolism,
• Screen and evaluate functional feed additives,
• Elucidate host-microbiota interactions,
• Unravel the onset and progression of pathological processes, and
• Develop targeted nutritional strategies to improve animal health and productivity.

 

This Special Issue aims to highlight recent progress in the development, characterization, and application of in vitro and in vivo models for mechanistic studies and translational research in animal nutrition and health. We welcome submissions of critical reviews, original research articles, and methodological papers.

 

Topics of interest include, but are not limited to, the followings:

• Development and application of organoid models for animal nutrition and health research
• Innovative methodologies for developing 3D culture, co-culture, and organ-on-a-chip platforms to investigate animal nutrition and health
• Simulated gastrointestinal digestion for assessing digestibility, bioavailability, and functional properties of animal feeds, feed additives, pharmaceuticals, and bioactive compounds
• Molecular and physiological insights into animal nutrition and health derived from advanced animal model systems

 

Keywords:

In vitro model, in vivo model, animal nutrition, animal health, organoids, 3D culture, organ-on-a-chip, simulated gastrointestinal digestion, animal model, germ-free animal, gnotobiotic animal

 

Manuscript submission information:

Instructions for Authors can be found at preparing-your-materials.

 

Please select " Advanced In Vitro And In Vivo Model Systems For Animal Nutrition And Health Research " from the special issue dropdown in the submission site to ensure your paper is assigned correctly.

All manuscripts should be submitted before 30th April, 2026 via submission system

Guest Editors:

Ziyi He

PhD and Associate Research Fellow

College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei, China

Email: zyhe@mail.hzau.edu.cn

 

Shiyu Tao

PhD and Associate Research Fellow

College of Animal Sciences and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei, China

Email: sytao@mail.hzau.edu.cn

Area(s) of Expertise: Animal nutrition, Intestinal health, Gut microbiota, extracellular vesicles, Immunity, Germ-free animal