MicroRNA Dynamics in Bovine Health and Disease
Summary
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNA molecules that fine-tune gene expression by binding to complementary messenger RNAs and promoting their degradation or translational repression. In cattle, miRNAs orchestrate key processes across organ systems, including mammary gland development, immune surveillance, metabolism and reproductive function. Their remarkable stability in tissues and body fluids underpins growing interest in their use as non-invasive biomarkers for disease detection and monitoring. In inflammatory conditions such as mastitis or endometritis, specific miRNA signatures reflect the activation state of immune cells and the local tissue response. Conversely, metabolic disorders such as subacute ruminal acidosis elicit distinct circulating miRNA patterns linked to dietary shifts and systemic homeostatic disruption.
Technological advances in next-generation sequencing and quantitative PCR have accelerated the profiling of bovine miRNAomes in cells, milk, serum and exosomes. Bioinformatic integration of miRNA expression with predicted target networks is revealing how these regulators shape pathways in cell proliferation, angiogenesis and apoptosis. Cross-species conservation of many miRNAs offers translation of findings from model organisms, while cattle-specific miRNAs highlight ruminant-tailored regulatory layers. Global collaboration is driving the development of miRNA-based diagnostic panels and exploring therapeutic modulation to enhance animal welfare and productivity.
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MicroRNA Dynamics in Bovine Health and Disease publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in microrna dynamics in bovine health and disease across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
MicroRNA (miRNA): A small non-coding RNA (~22 nucleotides) that regulates gene expression at the post-transcriptional level.
Biomarker: A measurable indicator, such as a molecule or gene expression pattern, that reflects a biological state or condition.
Mastitis: Inflammation of the mammary gland, often due to bacterial infection, affecting milk production and animal welfare.
Subclinical endometritis: Uterine inflammation without obvious clinical signs, impairing fertility in postpartum dairy cows.
Subacute ruminal acidosis (SARA): A metabolic disorder in cattle caused by prolonged low ruminal pH, leading to digestive upset and systemic effects.
References
- Differential Expression of miR-223-3p and miR-26-5p According to Different Stages of Mastitis in Dairy Cows. Biomolecules (2025).
- Characterization of circulating microRNA profiles of postpartum dairy cows with persistent subclinical endometritis. Journal of Dairy Science (2023).
- Evaluation of circulating microRNA profiles in blood as potential candidate biomarkers in a subacute ruminal acidosis cow model - a pilot study. BMC Genomics (2023).
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