Beef and dairy products are rich in protein and amino acids, making them highly nutritious for human consumption. The increasing use of gene editing technology in agriculture has paved the way for genetic improvement in cattle breeding via the development of the CRISPR/Cas (clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats/CRISPR-associated protein) system. Gene sequences are artificially altered and employed in the pursuit of improving bovine breeding research through targeted knockout, knock-in, substitution, and mutation methods. This review offers a comprehensive analysis of the advancements in gene editing technology and its diverse applications in enhancing both quantitative and qualitative traits across livestock. These applications encompass areas such as meat quality, milk quality, fertility, disease resistance, environmental adaptability, sex control, horn development, and coat colour. Furthermore, the review considers prospective ideas and insights that may be employed to refine breeding traits, enhance editing efficiency, and navigate the ethical considerations associated with these advancements. The review’s focus on improving the quality of beef and milk is intended to enhance the economic viability of these products. Furthermore, it constitutes a valuable resource for scholars and researchers engaged in the fields of cattle genetic improvement and breeding.
The incidence of bovine endometritis, which has a negative impact on the reproduction of dairy cows, has been recently increasing. In this study, the differential markers and metabolites of healthy cows and cows with endometritis were analyzed by measuring blood biochemical indicators and immune factors using biochemical and enzyme -linked immunosorbent assay kits combined with nontargeted metabolomics. The LC-QTOF platform was used to evaluate the serum metabolomics of healthy cows and cows with endometritis after 21-27 days of calving. The results showed that glucose, free fatty acid, calcium, sodium, albumin, and alanine aminotransferase levels were significantly lower in the serum of cows with endometritis than in healthy cows (P < 0.05). However, the serum potassium, interleukin-1, interleukin-6, and tumor necrosis factor levels were significantly higher in cows with endometritis (P < 0.05). In addition, the serum metabolome data analysis of the two groups showed that the expression of 468 metabolites was significantly different (P < 0.05), of which 291 were upregulated and 177 were downregulated. These metabolites were involved in 78 metabolic pathways, including amino acid, nucleotide, carbohydrate, lipid, and vitamin metabolism pathways; signal transduction pathways, and other biological pathways. Taken together, negative energy balance and immune activation, which are related to local abnormalities in amino acid, lipid, and carbohydrate metabolism, were the important causes of endometritis in dairy cows. Metabolites such as glucose, carnosine, dehydroascorbic acid, L-malic acid, tetrahydrofolic acid, and UDP-glucose may be used as key indicators in the hematological diagnosis and treatment of endometritis in dairy cows.
Intramuscular fat (IMF) content significantly impacts meat quality. influenced by complex interactions between skeletal muscle cells and adipocytes. Adipogenesis plays a pivotal role in IMF formation. Exosomes, extracellular membranous nanovesicles, facilitate intercellular communication by transporting proteins, nucleic acids (DNA and RNA), and other biomolecules into target cells, thereby modulating cellular behaviors. Recent studies have linked exosome-derived microRNAs (miRNAs) and other cargo to adipogenic processes. Various cell types, including skeletal muscle cells, interact with adipocytes via exosome secretion and uptake. Exosomes entering adipocytes regulate adipogenesis by modulating key signaling pathways, thereby influencing the extent and distribution of IMF deposition. This review comprehensively explores the origin, formation, and mechanisms of exosome action, along with current research and their applications in adipogenesis. Emphasis is placed on exosome-mediated regulation of miRNAs, non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs), proteins, lipids, and other biomolecules during adipogenesis. Leveraging exosomal contents for genetic breeding and treating obesity-related disorders is discussed. Insights gathered contribute to advancing understanding and potential therapeutic applications of exosome-regulated adipogenesis mechanisms.
Gene editing technology has become an essential tool for advancing breeding practices, enhancing disease resistance, and boosting productivity in animal husbandry. Despite its potential, the delivery of gene editing reagents into cells faces several challenges, including low targeting efficiency, immunogenicity, and cytotoxicity, which have hindered its wider application in the field. This review discusses the evolution of gene editing technologies and highlights recent advancements in various delivery methods used in animal husbandry. It critically evaluates the strengths and weaknesses of these different delivery approaches while identifying potential directions for future development. The goal is to equip researchers with effective strategies to optimize delivery methods, ultimately facilitating the implementation and progress of gene editing technologies in animal husbandry.
猪粮安天下,生猪行业一直以来都是国计民生的大行业.为了促进宁夏回族自治区(简称"宁夏")生猪产业健康、稳定、持续发展,笔者对宁夏生猪产业发展情况进行了深入调研,全面总结了宁夏生猪产业养殖现状、产业特点和存在问题,并从政策保障、疫病防控、种猪繁育体系建设等方面提出对策和建议,以期推动宁夏生猪产业健康高质量发展.