Immunophysiology of Farm Animals: Interactions Between Inflammation, Metabolism, and Endocrine Regulation

Author(s): Duaa jameel hilal, Rana Salim Farhan, Ghadir Mahmmoud Nejim Al-Rubaie
Date: 09/10/2026
doi: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.8425890

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Abstract

Immunophysiology has emerged as a rapidly expanding field that investigates the intricate interactions 
among the immune, metabolic, and endocrine systems responsible for maintaining physiological 
homeostasis in farm animals. These interconnected regulatory networks are fundamental for coordinating 
immune defense, energy metabolism, growth, reproduction, and adaptation to environmental and 
infectious stressors. Increasing evidence indicates that inflammatory cytokines, endocrine hormones, 
metabolic mediators, oxidative stress pathways, and nutrient-sensing mechanisms function cooperatively 
to regulate health, productivity, and disease resistance across livestock species. Physiological challenges 
including heat stress, nutritional imbalance, pathogen exposure, transition periods, and metabolic 
disorders can disrupt immunometabolic homeostasis, resulting in chronic inflammation, endocrine 
dysregulation, impaired immune competence, reduced reproductive performance, and decreased 
production efficiency. Recent advances in transcriptomics, metabolomics, proteomics, and other multi
omics technologies have substantially improved our understanding of the molecular pathways governing 
immunometabolic adaptation and have facilitated the identification of novel biomarkers for disease 
prediction and health monitoring. Furthermore, the growing recognition of the gut microbiota as a central 
regulator of immune and metabolic function has expanded opportunities for developing nutritional, 
microbial, and precision management strategies to improve animal resilience and welfare. This review 
synthesizes current knowledge regarding the bidirectional interactions between inflammatory responses, 
metabolic regulation, and endocrine signaling in farm animals while highlighting their physiological 
significance under normal and pathological conditions. Particular emphasis is placed on cytokine
mediated signaling, hormonal regulation, oxidative stress, immunometabolism, and emerging molecular 
approaches that support precision livestock production. A comprehensive understanding of these 
integrated biological systems provides valuable opportunities for improving disease prevention, 
optimizing productivity, enhancing reproductive performance, and developing sustainable veterinary 
interventions that promote animal health and resilience under modern livestock production systems. 

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