Under physiological conditions, the body usually has sufficient antioxidant reserves to cope with the production of free radicals, which are produced continuously during metabolism and may increase as a result of pathological and other circumstances. When free radical generation exceeds the body's antioxidant production capacity, oxidative stress develops. Progressive oxidation of biological substrates (such as, lipids, DNA, and proteins) occurs, impairing health both directly and indirectly. Direct effects include peroxidation damage to important lipids and macromolecules. Indirect changes include effects on cellular membranes and components, modifying metabolic pathways and resulting in altered physiology. In the last few years, the detection of free radical damage and protection against it have become increasingly important in clinical veterinary medicine and in preventive medicine programs, as a complementary tool in the evaluation of the pathogenesis of several diseases (mastitis, pneumonia, enteritis…) and the metabolic status (especially transition period).

We invite investigators to contribute original research articles as well as review articles that will stimulate the continuing efforts to understand the role of oxidative stress in the pathogenesis and development of several diseases in veterinary medicine and the importance of its control and prevention, especially in herd medicine. We are particularly interested in articles describing the new modalities for laboratorial characterization of oxidative stress, antioxidant therapies, and their effects on animal health. Potential topics include, but are not limited to:

• Latest technologies for laboratory evaluation and measuring oxidative stress
• The influence of diet on oxidative stress
• Oxidative stress mechanisms in metabolic and organic disorders in different animal species
• Oxidative stress as it relates to reproduction (this appeared to be an active area with a keyword search)
• Oxidative stress in the peripartum period risks and preventive strategies
• Oxidative stress in common toxicoses and how it can be mitigated
• Oxidative stress and infectious diseases
• Advances in antioxidant therapies in veterinary medicine

Before submission authors should carefully read over the journal's Author Guidelines, which are located at http://www.hindawi.com/journals/vmi/guidelines/. Prospective authors should submit an electronic copy of their complete manuscript through the journal Manuscript Tracking System at http://mts.hindawi.com/ according to the following timetable: