Animal Breeding Research Articles

Predicting the body weight of crossbred Holstein × Zebu dairy cows using multivariate adaptive regression splines algorithm.

This study aimed to estimate live body weight from body measurements for Holstein × Zebu dairy cows (n = 156) reared under conditions of humid tropics in Mexico using multivariate adaptive regression splines algorithm (MARS) with several train-test proportions. The body measurements included withers height, rump height, hip width, heart girth, body length and diagonal body length. The data were divided into 65:35, 70:30 and 80:20 split data for training and testing sets, respectively. The MARS algorithm was used to construct a prediction model, which predicted the body weight from the body measurements of the test dataset. The results emphasized that the MARS algorithm had an explanation rate for 80:20 train and test set of 0.836 and 0.711, respectively, with minimum Akaike information criterion values. This indicates that it is a reliable way of predicting body weight from body measurements. The results suggest that body weight prediction can be performed with the MARS algorithm in a reliable way, therefore, this algorithm may be a useful tool for animal breeders and researchers in the development of feeding and selection-aimed approaches.

Cordycepin improves hyperactivation and acrosome reaction through adenosine receptors during human sperm capacitation in vitro.

Sperm capacitation is a prerequisite for natural or in vitro fertilization. After capacitation, sperm become hyperactivated and undergo an acrosome reaction, which helps them penetrate the oocyte. Cordycepin, a bioactive compound first isolated from Cordyceps militaris, is an adenosine analog with numerous physiological activities. However, its effects on sperm capacitation remain unclear. This study aims to elucidate the effects and mechanisms of cordycepin on human sperm capacitation. During in vitro capacitation culture, healthy human sperm were treated with cordycepin (20, 100, 500 µM). Sperm motility and hyperactivation were detected using a computer-assisted sperm analyzer. Sperm acrosome reaction was measured using fluorescein isothiocyanate-conjugated Pisum sativum agglutinin. Sperm protein kinase A (PKA) activity was analyzed using an ELISA kit. The levels of sperm protein tyrosine phosphorylation were detected by western blotting. Sperm DNA damage was detected by a sperm chromatin dispersion assay. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) were measured using the fluorescence probe 2',7'-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate. The expression and localization of adenosine receptors were analyzed by western blotting and immunofluorescence. The specific inhibitors of adenosine receptors were used to confirm their effects on cordycepin-induced sperm capacitation. Finally, molecular docking was performed to analyze the interaction between cordycepin and adenosine receptors. Cordycepin improved hyperactivated sperm motility, acrosome reaction, PKA activity, and protein tyrosine phosphorylation during capacitation while having no obvious effects on sperm ROS or DNA damage. Four adenosine receptor subtypes were expressed in human sperm, but their localizations differed. Inhibition of adenosine receptors significantly decreased cordycepin-induced sperm hyperactivation and the acrosome reaction. Molecular docking showed that cordycepin can bind to the four subtypes of adenosine receptors. Cordycepin may promote human sperm capacitation through adenosine receptor-mediated signaling pathways. These findings may be useful for assisted reproductive technology and animal breeding.

Optimizing food waste bioconversion with sodium selenite-enhanced Lucilia sericata maggots: a sustainable approach for chicken feed production and heavy metal mitigation.

Recycling food waste by feeding it to insects can result in the continuous production of high-quality animal feed protein and organic fertilizer. However, the bioconversion efficiency and safety of using insects as feed protein for animal breeding are important factors limiting the development of this technology. Therefore, we aimed to optimize the efficiency of bioconversion of food waste using Lucilia sericata maggot (LSM). Sodium selenite (SS) was used to improve the quality and safety of each trophic-level organism. The results showed that an SS concentration of 15mgkg-1 w.w. in the food waste culture substrate (SS15), the yield and quality of the obtained LSMs were optimal. The total selenium (Se) content of LSMs was 82.4 ± 1.16mgkg-1 d.w., and non-inorganic Se accounted for 96.4% ± 2.01% of the total Se content. Additionally, the conversion efficiency of food waste was 18.7% higher than that in the control group (p < 0.05). When SS15 was used to raise maggots as a protein substitute for fish meal (commercial feed), the weight of the chickens and the crude protein content were 1.09-1.26times and 1.09-1.13times, respectively (p < 0.05), in comparison with the corresponding findings obtained with the use of ordinary maggots and commercial feed. In this group, glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, catalase, and immunoglobulin A and G activities were significantly higher than those obtained with the other feeds (p < 0.05). During this cyclic utilization process, the total Se content in chickens (0.31 ± 0.05mgkg-1 w.w. in the breast, 0.19 ± 0.01mgkg-1 w.w. in the leg, and 0.57 ± 0.01mgkg-1 w.w. in the liver) significantly increased (p < 0.05). Meanwhile, the Cu and Zn contents in the LSMs and chickens increased, whereas cadmium, lead, chromium, and nickel absorption was inhibited (p < 0.05). Health risk assessment based on the levels of Se and heavy metals showed that Se-enriched chickens produced using this method can be safely consumed.

Meta-Analysis on Farmers’ Adoption of Agricultural Technologies in East Africa: Evidence from Chinese Agricultural Technology Demonstration Centers

Farmers’ low agricultural productivity in East African countries is attributed to among other factors, the low application of modern agricultural technologies. Using meta-analysis this study intended to examine the determinants of adoption of agricultural technologies in East African countries recipients of Chinese Agricultural Technology Demonstration Centers (ATDCs). A comprehensive review employed to gather 22 studies addressing the determinants of adoption of agricultural technologies such as improved varieties, agricultural mechanization, soil conservation, and animal breeding from Ethiopia, Tanzania, Uganda, and Rwanda. The collected data were analyzed using STATA 17 software. The study used a random-effect model to estimate the determinants of agricultural technologies adoption. The findings demonstrated that access to credit, age, education, farming experience, farmer group membership, household size, and off-farm income have a significant influence on farmers ‘adoption of improved varieties. Age, farm size, and education have a significant influence on the adoption of agricultural mechanization. Soil conservation practices are influenced by age, household size, and sex. Moreover, age, education, extension services, and farming experience have a significant impact on the adoption of animal breeding. It is recommended that East African governments, policymakers, and agricultural practitioners to focus on these common variables when planning for the intervention of new agricultural technologies.

Antibiotic-resistant genes derived from commercial organic fertilizers are transported to balconies of residential buildings by express delivery.

The rise in antibiotic-resistant genes (ARGs) has recently become a pressing issue, with livestock manure identified as a significant source of these genes. Yet, the distribution of fertilizers derived from livestock manure sold online, potentially containing high levels of ARGs and antibiotic-resistant bacteria (ARB), is often not considered. Our study involved a random survey of commercial organic fertilizers available on online marketplaces, focusing on 13 common ARGs and 2 integrons (intI1, intI2). We found significant ARGs linked to sulfonamides, macrolides, and tetracycline in the 20 fertilizer samples we tested. The gene copy numbers for ermC, sul2, and tetL were exceptionally high, reaching up to 1011 copies per gram of fertilizer in specific samples. Additionally, 18 out of 20 samples contained the critical β-lactam resistance genes blaTEM and blaKPC, with gene copy numbers up to 1010 copies/g. Integrons, intI1, and intI2 were present in all samples, with abundances ranging from 103 to 1010copies/g. We categorized the 20 samples into three types for further analysis: poultry manure, livestock manure, and earthworm manure. Our findings indicated a high presence of ARGs in poultry manure compared to a lower occurrence in earthworm manure. The study also showed a strong correlation between integrons and specific ARGs. This research underscores the potential risk of commercial organic fertilizers as a pathway for spreading ARGs from the animal breeding environment to human settings through express transportation.

Enhancing of Rabbit Sperm Cryopreservation with Antioxidants Mito-Tempo and Berberine

Cryopreservation plays a critical role in animal breeding and the conservation of endangered species, but it often compromises sperm characteristics such as morphology, motility, and viability due to oxidative stress. This study explores the antioxidative effect of Mito-Tempo (MT) and Berberine (BER) to enhance post-thaw sperm quality in rabbits. Pooled rabbit sperm samples were supplemented with different concentrations (0.0, 0.5, 5, 10, 50 µmol/L) of MT and BER. Sperm motility was evaluated using computer-assisted semen analysis, while viability, apoptosis, reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, acrosome integrity, and mitochondrial function were assessed through flow cytometry. The results revealed that MT at 5 and 10 µmol/L and BER at 10 µmol/L significantly improved total and progressive motility, mitochondrial activity, and sperm viability compared to the control group. Furthermore, 10 µmol/L BER enhanced acrosome integrity, while both 5 µmol/L MT and 10 µmol/L BER effectively reduced ROS levels and apoptosis. This study is the first to demonstrate the protective effects of MT and BER on rabbit sperm during cryopreservation. By mitigating oxidative stress and reducing apoptosis, these antioxidants markedly improved post-thaw sperm quality, positioning MT and BER as promising agents for improving sperm cryosurvival.

Influence of different concentrations of milk urea nitrogen on the reproductive performance of Holstein cows.

The purpose of this study was to assess how various MUN levels affected the reproductive performance traits of Iranian Holsteins. The dataset used in this study included reproduction performance records for 16,000 Holstein cows and was gathered by the Animal Breeding Center and Promotion of Animal Products of Iran on 30 large dairy herds during 2018-2021. The MUN concentrations were grouped into four classes: [Formula: see text] mg/dL (MUN1), [Formula: see text] mg/dL (MUN2), [Formula: see text] mg/dL (MUN3), and [Formula: see text] mg/dL (MUN4). The study took into account various reproductive and fertility traits, such as the number of inseminations per conception (NINS), the percentage of pregnant cows till 120 days in milk (PP120), the calving interval (CI), the days open (DO), the days from calving to the first service (DCFS), the first service conception rate (FSCR), and the abortion rate (ABR). The impact of MUN levels on the incidence of abortion and non-pregnancy in dairy cows was investigated using logistic regression models. Also, to evaluate the effect of MUN concentrations on reproduction traits, a generalized linear model was used. The MUN2 group had the greatest odds of non-pregnancy (P < 0.05; OR = 2.81; MUN2 vs. MUN1). Also, the MUN4 group had the greatest odds of abortion (P < 0.01, OR = 3.36; MUN4 vs. MUN1). The MUN2 and MUN4 groups had the greatest (51.91%) and the lowest (34.32%) FSCR, respectively. MUN classes had a significant influence on DO (P < 0.05), and MUN4 had the largest value (145.44 days). The results indicated the negative association between MUN with reproduction and fertility in Iranian Holsteins.

Genetic variation in surface temperature measured using infra-red thermography and genetic associations with production traits in grazing dairy cattle

ABSTRACT Increasing global temperatures and the incidence of extreme weather conditions will result in heat stress becoming a greater issue in production animals. Genetic selection and breeding for heat-tolerant animals have been promoted as a possible mitigation strategy in dairy cattle. The objectives of this study were to obtain in-field skin temperature measurements of the eye, muzzle and udder using infra-red thermography to examine the genetic variation in skin temperature within cows of a dairy herd and to estimate the genetic correlations between skin temperature and production traits. Thermal images and herd test records were obtained for the dairy herd at Massey University’s dairy farm 1. Estimates of (co)variances were obtained using the JWAS program with univariate and bivariate animal models. The heritability estimates for the eye, muzzle and udder temperature were low to moderate at 0.20, 0.24 and 0.39, respectively. All genetic correlations between production and temperature traits were positive except for eye temperature with milk yield and protein yield which was negative and weak. These results indicate that it may be possible to select for a greater skin temperature, however, these results need to be validated using a larger sample size.

Reproductive Biotechnology Tools as a Game Changer for the Dairy Sector: The Case of Sexed Semen and Estrus Synchronization to Produce Seedstock Dairy Heifers

Human curiosity about the sexual orientation of living things has a long history. For thousands of years, livestock owners wanted to find a suitable way to predict the sex of the progeny to be born for their herds on their farm. Thanks to the development of semen sexing technology, animal breeding has undergone a revolution, which allows farmers to control the sex of their offspring. Sexed semen enhances overall productivity and also assists farmers in meeting the rising demand for high-quality dairy animals by enabling them to selectively generate seedstock female calves. The technology is a one-stop solution to enhance breed improvement especially in a country like Ethiopia where 97 percent of the cattle population is indigenous, which is not selected for milk production and results in undernourishment for animal source origin diet, including milk and meat. The benefits of using sexed semen include sex selection, improved genetic selection, enhanced breeding effectiveness, better control over herd dynamics, greater financial gains, environmental sustainability, and improved animal welfare. Hence, with the finding of this study, an overall result of a 98% response rate 95% female skewness, and 79% conception rate was recorded after being inseminated with sexed semen. The finding of the response rate is closer to the results reported by another researcher, while the average conception rate is comparatively higher. This could be due to careful animal selection, the use of fertile quality semen, proper heat detection, and inseminating at an optimum window of time. In general, from the piece of this study, it is possible to foresee and conclude that the adoption and application of sexed semen technology is a groundbreaking and game-changer technology for the dairy industry in a country like Ethiopia, which overcomes the limitations of improved crossbred dairy cattle, replacement heifers, and high milk prices on the one hand, a shortage of grazing land, ...

Opportunities for CRISPR-Cas9 application in farm animal genetic improvement.

CRISPR-Cas9 has emerged as a powerful tool in livestock breeding, enabling precise genetic modifications to address genetic diseases, enhance productivity, and develop disease-resistant animal breeds. A thorough analysis of previous research highlights the potential of CRISPR-Cas9 in overcoming genetic disorders by targeting specific mutations in genes. Furthermore, its integration with reproductive biotechnologies and genomic selection facilitates the production of gene-edited animals with high genomic value, contributing to genetic enhancement and improved productivity. Additionally, CRISPR-Cas9 opens new avenues for developing disease-resistant livestock and creating innovative breeding models for high-quality production. A key trend in the field is the development of multi-sgRNA vectors to correct mutations in various genes linked to productivity traits or certain diseases within individual genomes, thereby increasing resistance in animals. However, despite the potential advantages of CRISPR-Cas9, public acceptance of genetically modified agricultural products remains uncertain. Would consumers be willing to purchase such products? It is essential to advocate for bold and innovative research into genetically edited animals, with a focus on safety, careful promotion, and strict regulatory oversight to align with long-term goals and public acceptance. Continued advancements in this technology and its underlying mechanisms promise to improve poultry products and genetically modified livestock. Overall, CRISPR-Cas9 technology offers a promising pathway for advancing livestock breeding practices, with opportunities for genetic improvement, enhanced disease resistance, and greater productivity.

Artificial intelligence and classical methods in animal genetics and breeding

The article analyses basic methods of population genetics and animal breeding, as well as mathematical methods of machine learning used in animal breeding. The training of cat boost library models was carried out on the example of two domesticated species – domestic horse (Equus caballus) and reindeer (Rangifer tarandus). Data from microsatellite panels of 16 and 17 loci, respectively, were used to train the model using data on domesticated and wild reindeer, European and Russian horse breeds. The standard indicators: accuracy, precision, recall and f1 were calculated to determine the success of the model. Confusion matrices were constructed. New possibilities of identification of animal breed affiliation were shown.

Genetic Diversity in the Orenburg Goat Breed Revealed by Single-Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP) Analysis: Initial Steps in Saving a Threatened Population

Background/Objectives: Orenburg goats are renowned for their soft down that acts as a substrate for warm clothing, particularly shawls that have an international reputation. As with many local livestock breeds, however, the Orenburg is presently at risk of extinction, an issue that can be addressed by assessing population genetic diversity and, thereafter, encouraging as much outbreeding as possible. Using single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP)-based data, therefore, we analyzed the genetic diversity and population structure of modern Orenburg goats using samples collected from an expedition to Orenburg Oblast in 2024. Methods: We applied the Goat SNP50 BeadChip (Illumina, San Diego, CA, USA) for the genotyping of Orenburg goats from modern and archived populations. SNP genotypes of three Orenburg populations sampled in 2017 and 2019, Altai Mountain, Altai White, and Soviet Mohair breeds, were added to the dataset. Results: Principal component analysis and network and admixture analyses demonstrated that the genetic background inherent to the archived group of Orenburg goats was maintained in all modern populations. Values of genetic diversity indicators in modern populations were compatible with those obtained in comparison groups. Runs of homozygosity (ROH) were found in all the Orenburg goat populations (with a mean ROH length of 72.6–108.9 Mb and mean ROH number of 28–36). Genomic inbreeding based on ROH was low in all the Orenburg populations (FROH = 0.03–0.045). Conclusions: We showed that the ancestral background is retained in present-day Orenburg goats sampled in 2024. We provide the genetic basis through which certain breeder animals may be selected and bred traditionally or ex situ through a conservation program of gamete preservation.

Comparing genomic studies in animal breeding and human genetics: Focus on disease-related traits in livestock.

Genomic studies of diseases can be divided into two types: (1) analyses that reveal causal genes by focusing on linkage disequilibrium between observed and causal variants and (2) those that simultaneously assess numerous genetic markers to estimate the polygenic effects of a particular genomic region or entire genome. The field of human genetics has emphasized the discovery of causal genes, but these represent only a fraction of the total genetic variance. Therefore, alternative approaches, such as the polygenic risk score, which estimates the genetic risk for a given trait or disease on the basis of all genetic markers (rather than on known causal variants only), have begun to garner attention. In many respects, these human genetic methods are similar to those originally developed for the estimation of breeding values (i.e., total additive genetic effects) in livestock. However, despite these similarities in methods, the fields of human and animal genetics still differ markedly in terms of research objectives, target populations, and other characteristics. For example, livestock populations have continually been selected and inbred throughout their history; consequently, their effective population size has shrunk and preferred genes (such as those influencing disease resistance and production traits) have accumulated in the modern breeding populations. By examining the characteristics of these two fields, particularly from the perspectives of disease and disease resistance, this review aims to improve understanding of the intrinsic differences between genomic studies using human compared with livestock populations.

Insights into the microbiota of raw milk from seven breeds animals distributing in Xinjiang China.

Owing to its high nutritional content, raw milk contains a rich microbiota. Thus, to study microorganisms present in raw milk available in Xinjiang China, 142 raw milk samples from seven animal breeds (cow, sheep, goat, donkey, horse, camel, and yak) and four regions (Hami, Tarbagatay, Kashgar, and Ili) were analyzed by high-throughput DNA sequencing. These microorganisms were characterized by 10 dominant phyla. Proteobacteria (68.33%) was the major phylum, followed by Firmicutes (18.80%) and Thermi (3.16%). Horse milk contained more Bacteroidetes, sheep milk contained more Gammaproteobacteria, and donkey milk contained more unclassified sequences. Camel and donkey milk contained the highest and lowest bacterial diversity compared with that contained by the remaining milk samples, respectively. Additionally, spoilage microorganisms, including Chryseobacterium, Propionibacterium, and Flavobacterium, and pathogenic bacteria, including Ochrobactrum anthropi and Sphingomonas, were more prevalent in horse and yak milk, whereas probiotic lactic acid bacteria (LAB), such as Leuconostoc, Lactococcus, or Lactobacillus, were more prevalent in goat, donkey, and camel milk. Furthermore, Moraxella was abundantly present in goat, camel, and yak milk, Acinetobacter was more abundant in camel milk, and Pseudomonas was relatively abundant in sheep and donkey milk. Overall, specific harmful microorganisms and probiotic lactic acid bacteria were found in the raw milk samples obtained from different animals, which provided a basis for preventing and controlling the growth of harmful bacteria, as well as investigating probiotic resources in raw milk.

Shrinkage and tree-based regression methods for the prediction of the live weight of Akkaraman sheep using morphological traits.

The prediction of live weight (LW) is of critical importance to farmers in a range of applications, including breeding and monitoring animal growth. In this context, Ridge, Least Absolute Shrinkage and Selection Operator (LASSO), and Elastic Net as shrinkage methods, and Classification and Regression Trees (CART) and Random Forest (RF) as tree-based regression methods were used in this study to predict LW of Akkaraman Sheep at 6-month age using sex, birth weight (BW) and some morphological traits such as withers height (WH), chest depth (CD), body length (BL), chest width (CW), rump height (RH), and chest circumference (CC). The dataset of 100 sheep, consisting of 44 males and 56 females, was randomly divided into training and test sets with a ratio of 80% and 20%, respectively. 10-fold cross-validation method was implemented using the training set to obtain optimum regression models and avoid overfitting. A test set was used to compare the prediction performance of regression methods based on various comparison criteria. Results revealed that LW was significantly correlated with all morphological traits and BW with coefficients ranging from 0.216 to 0.757. RF outperformed the other regression models with a coefficient of determination value (R2) of 0.865, followed by Ridge (R2 = 0.761), LASSO (R2 = 0.755), Elastic Net (R2 = 0.750), and CART (R2 = 0.654). The results indicated that WH and CD contributed the most, while sex and BW contributed the least in constructing the optimum RF model. In conclusion, the use of RF is recommended for predicting the LW of Akkaraman sheep. These results can provide a data-driven approach to improve decision-making in animal breeding.

Animal breeding and feeding tools may close human nutrition gaps

The last century has witnessed many innovations in agriculture and food technologies that have ensured the production of sufficient quantities of good hygienic food. Animal scientists have contributed substantially to efficient breeding and feeding practices by adapting animals for faster growth and improving feed efficiency and utilization. Breeding goals and feeding recommendations have been proposed with a primary focus on profitability to promote significant changes in the macronutrient content, i.e., animal body protein and fat reduction. However, improving the nutritional quality of meat was not included in the profit assessment. Increasing the lean meat fraction is consistent with the goal of public dietary guidelines for human nutrition proposed in 1980, emphasizing the importance of reducing the consumption of animal fat, particularly saturated fat. The application of breeding and feeding tools to modify and improve the fatty acid composition has been partly implemented in pigs and broiler chickens to supplement the dietary recommendations for humans. The health benefits of lean “red meat” have been questioned in recent years, with dietary guidelines and upper limits being introduced for human intake. Animal breeding indirectly reduces the total and heme iron (the redness generator) content in meat, due to covariation with priority breeding goals. Two micronutrients play important roles in the human diet and are derived largely from meat (selenium) and milk (iodine) if the amount provided and absorbed is sufficient and predictable. The iodine content can be highly dependent on the use of novel (more sustainable) feeds. The micronutrients discussed in this study (Fe, Se, I, and vitamin D) highlight opportunities for the utilization of breeding and feeding knowledge to adjust their levels to procure meat with a high nutrient density. The gaps in micronutrient levels in humans must be addressed by navigating within approved animal feeding levels. Animal scientists must recognize the nutritional impact of breeding and feeding and advertise them. In addition, human nutritionists must acknowledge the existing and potential changes in animal production to meet the dietary guidelines. Sustainable food production within the “One Health” concept can only be achieved through cooperation.

The current status and improvement directions of legal rules regarding Chinese national gene banks for farm animal genetic resources.

A gene bank for farm animal genetic resources (FAGR) is an important facility for the diversity conservation of FAGR. The primary purpose of gene banks for FAGR is the reconstruction of those breeds. With the advent of the post-genomic era, gene banks for FAGR have increasingly become an infrastructure for the support of livestock research and animal breeding, and a platform for international research collaboration. China is one of the richest countries in the world in terms of FAGR. Chinese National Gene Banks for FAGR (CNGBFs) have an important legal status and play an important function in the Chinese FAGR protection system. In this paper, we reviewed the current situation of CNGBFs construction, and systematically collected and analyzed legal rules related to CNGBFs. As results, those legal rules were categorized into two types: (a) organization and management, (b) activities. We summarized problems existing in the current legal rules for CNGBFs from three levels: institution, practical operation, and digital development. Improvement directions of legal rules regarding CNGBFs are proposed. They include clarifying the utilization function of CNGBFs and the ownership of FAGR in CNGBFs. Moreover, improving the mechanism of administrative management, rules on domestic and international access and benefit-sharing, and the system of digital sequence information management are also suggested. The improvements in those legal rules will contribute to the appropriate utilization of Chinese FAGR and international collaborations.

Elucidation of the pluripotent potential of bovine embryonic lineages facilitates the establishment of formative stem cell lines.

The establishment of epiblast-derived pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) from cattle, which are important domestic animals that provide humans with milk and meat while also serving as bioreactors for producing valuable proteins, poses a challenge due to the unclear molecular signaling required for embryonic epiblast development and maintenance of PSC self-renewal. Here, we selected six key stages of bovine embryo development (E5, E6, E7, E10, E12, and E14) to track changes in pluripotency and the dependence on signaling pathways via modified single-cell transcription sequencing technology. The remarkable similarity of the gene expression patterns between cattle and pigs during embryonic lineage development contributed to the successful establishment of bovine epiblast stem cells (bEpiSCs) using 3i/LAF (WNTi, GSK3βi, SRCi, LIF, Activin A, and FGF2) culture system. The generated bEpiSCs exhibited consistent expression patterns of formative epiblast pluripotency genes and maintained clonal morphology, normal karyotypes, and proliferative capacity for more than 112 passages. Moreover, these cells exhibited high-efficiency teratoma formation as well as the ability to differentiate into various cell lineages. The potential of bEpiSCs for myogenic differentiation, primordial germ cell like cells (PGCLCs) induction, and as donor cells for cellnuclear transfer was also assessed, indicating their promise in advancing cell-cultured meat production, gene editing, and animal breeding.

Genotype-by-environment interactions in beef and dairy cattle populations: A review of methodologies and perspectives on research and applications.

Modern livestock production systems are characterized by a greater focus on intensification, involving managing larger numbers of animals to achieve higher productive efficiency and animal health and welfare within herds. Therefore, animal breeding programs need to be strategically designed to select animals that can effectively enhance production performance and animal welfare across a range of environmental conditions. Thus, this review summarizes the main methodologies used for assessing the levels of genotype-by-environment interaction (G × E) in cattle populations. In addition, we explored the importance of integrating genomic and phenotypic information to quantify and account for G × E in breeding programs. An overview of the structure of cattle breeding programs is provided to give insights into the potential outcomes and challenges faced when considering G × E to optimize genetic gains in breeding programs. The role of nutrigenomics and its impact on gene expression related to metabolism in cattle are also discussed, along with an examination of current research findings and their potential implications for future research and practical applications. Out of the 116 studies examined, 60 and 56 focused on beef and dairy cattle, respectively. A total of 83.62% of these studies reported genetic correlations across environmental gradients below 0.80, indicating the presence of G × E. For beef cattle, 69.33%, 24%, 2.67%, 2.67%, and 1.33% of the studies evaluated growth, reproduction, carcass and meat quality, survival, and feed efficiency traits, respectively. By contrast, G × E research in dairy cattle populations predominantly focused on milk yield and milk composition (79.36% of the studies), followed by reproduction and fertility (19.05%), and survival (1.59%) traits. The importance of G × E becomes particularly evident when considering complex traits such as heat tolerance, disease resistance, reproductive performance, and feed efficiency, as highlighted in this review. Genomic models provide a valuable avenue for studying these traits in greater depth, allowing for the identification of candidate genes and metabolic pathways associated with animal fitness, adaptation, and environmental efficiency. Nutrigenetics and nutrigenomics are emerging fields that require extensive investigation to maximize our understanding of gene-nutrient interactions. By studying various transcription factors, we can potentially improve animal metabolism, improving performance, health, and quality of products such as meat and milk.

A graph model for genomic prediction in the context of a linear mixed model framework.

Genomic selection is revolutionizing both plant and animal breeding, with its practical application depending critically on high prediction accuracy. In this study, we aimed to enhance prediction accuracy by exploring the use of graph models within a linear mixed model framework. Our investigation revealed that incorporating the graph constructed with line connections alone resulted in decreased prediction accuracy compared to conventional methods that consider only genotype effects. However, integrating both genotype effects and the graph structure led to slightly improved results over considering genotype effects alone. These findings were validated across 14 datasets commonly used in plant breeding research.