MicroRNAs: An Important Signature Molecule to Improve Health and Welfare in Livestock: A Review

Abstract

Adverse conditions negatively impact livestock productivity, leading to significant financial losses for livestock businesses. Maintaining healthy and disease-free farm animals is crucial for producing high-quality food. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have been discovered in domestic livestock, with their expression profiles revealing tissue-specific and temporal patterns. Their potential use in genomic selection systems is highlighted by breed-dependent expression patterns and single nucleotide polymorphisms in the target mRNA binding site, which have connections with economic value. Studies carried out in 2022-2023, a variety of reviews and research publications were evaluated and then extracted to enlist congestive data for quick detection of miRNA and their role as biomarkers for the assessment of the health status in livestock species. Study concluded that miRNA influences developmental decisions, like apoptosis, adipocyte differentiation, cell fate, cell cycle progression and muscle development and growth, by altering post-transcriptional regulation. Despite the significant interest in miRNA’s role in animal biology, most existing literature primarily uses livestock models. Consequently, a review of the mechanisms by which miRNA alters gene translation as well as the most recent studies evaluating miRNA in livestock used for production is required. This systematic review summarizes and integrates previous findings to provide an overview of microRNAs are being investigated as potential biomarkers of disease, susceptibility and dietary exposure.