Mammary Development and Health: Challenges and Advances

Dear Colleagues,

As a unique organ in mammals, the mammary gland’s efficient development and healthy lactation are pivotal for determining both the economic performance and reproductive capability of livestock. Mammary development commences during the embryonic stage, progresses through extensive ductal branching in puberty, and culminates in the formation of alveoli during gestation, ultimately reaching functional maturity during lactation. Throughout this prolonged development process, the mammary gland is intricately regulated by nutritional, environmental, and various other factors. Once lactation begins—particularly in ruminants—mammary diseases, most notably mastitis, emerge as the most prevalent and challenging issues, with prognoses influenced by pathogenic microorganisms, environmental conditions, and stress factors. Consequently, ensuring optimal mammary development before lactation, while effectively reducing disease incidence during lactation and sustaining lactational performance, represents a critical scientific challenge. This Special Issue warmly invites publication submissions addressing any aspect of “mammary gland developmental regulation” and “mammary disease prevention and treatment” in both livestock and model organisms. We hope that this Special Issue will further stimulate deep interdisciplinary collaboration among scientists in lactation physiology, developmental biology, microbiology, and related fields.

Prof. Dr. Qiuling Hou
Dr. Xusheng Dong
Dr. Yingyu Mu
Guest Editors

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