Human Health and Animal Production: Nutritional Influences on Reproductive Performance

Introduction Reproductive performance is a fundamental process that has far-reaching effects. In human society fertility can have social implications, but in animal production the number, strength and performance of offspring is vital. This can manifest throughout the features of fertility, from the production of germ cells to the formation of the phenotype. Significant investment of maternal resources in the growth of the foetus suggests that nutrition can be used as a tool to manipulate reproduction or prevent certain forms of disease in the adult animal. This article summarises research involving nutritional components and their effects on the success of a pregnancy and long term health.