Advances in Molecular Genetics and Breeding of Cattle, Sheep, and Goats

Abstract submission deadline

30 September 2025

Manuscript submission deadline

30 November 2025

Viewed by

2046

Topic Information

Dear Colleagues,

This Topic aims to bring together cutting-edge research and reviews focusing on the molecular mechanisms underlying genetic traits and breeding innovations in ruminants. Rapid advancements in genomic technologies, including next-generation sequencing, CRISPR-Cas genome editing, and transcriptomics, have revolutionized our understanding of genetic diversity and its application in selective breeding programs. This Topic invites original research and comprehensive reviews that delve into genomic selection, functional gene annotation, epigenetics, and the integration of multi-omics data to enhance the productivity, disease resistance, and adaptability of cattle, sheep, and goats. Contributions addressing challenges such as improving genome assembly quality, identifying novel quantitative trait loci (QTLs), and optimizing breeding strategies for sustainable agriculture are highly encouraged. By fostering dialogue and innovation, this collection aims to advance precision breeding and promote sustainable practices in ruminant production systems.

Dr. Xiukai Cao
Dr. Hui Li
Dr. Huitong Zhou
Topic Editors

Keywords

Participating Journals

Journal Name	Impact Factor	CiteScore	Launched Year	First Decision (median)	APC
Animals animals	2.7	4.9	2011	16.1 Days	CHF 2400	Submit
Current Issues in Molecular Biology cimb	2.8	2.9	1999	15.8 Days	CHF 2200	Submit
Genes genes	2.8	5.2	2010	14.9 Days	CHF 2600	Submit
International Journal of Molecular Sciences ijms	4.9	8.1	2000	16.8 Days	CHF 2900	Submit
DNA dna	-	-	2021	23.3 Days	CHF 1000	Submit

Preprints.org is a multidisciplinary platform offering a preprint service designed to facilitate the early sharing of your research. It supports and empowers your research journey from the very beginning.

MDPI Topics is collaborating with Preprints.org and has established a direct connection between MDPI journals and the platform. Authors are encouraged to take advantage of this opportunity by posting their preprints at Preprints.org prior to publication:

1. Share your research immediately: disseminate your ideas prior to publication and establish priority for your work.
2. Safeguard your intellectual contribution: Protect your ideas with a time-stamped preprint that serves as proof of your research timeline.
3. Boost visibility and impact: Increase the reach and influence of your research by making it accessible to a global audience.
4. Gain early feedback: Receive valuable input and insights from peers before submitting to a journal.
5. Ensure broad indexing: Web of Science (Preprint Citation Index), Google Scholar, Crossref, SHARE, PrePubMed, Scilit and Europe PMC.

Published Papers (5 papers)

Order results

Content type Publication Date

Result details

Normal Extended Compact

Journals

All Animals CIMB Genes IJMS DNA

Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less

Select all

Export citation of selected articles as:

Plain Text BibTeX BibTeX (without abstracts) Endnote Endnote (without abstracts) Tab-delimited RIS

Error

Oops... you haven't selected anything for export.

Ok

clear

attachment

Supplementary material:
Supplementary File 1 (ZIP, 2178 KiB)

18 pages, 2277 KiB  

Open AccessArticle

The 2SP Site Mutation in the Bovine Natural Resistance-Associated Macrophage 1 Promoter Exhibits Antituberculosis Potential

by Yongke Wei, Mengke Yuan, Yong Zhang and Yuanpeng Gao

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2025, 26(9), 4229; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms26094229 - 29 Apr 2025

Abstract

Gene-edited cattle overexpressing natural resistance-associated macrophage 1 (NRAMP1) have demonstrated enhanced resistance to tuberculosis (TB). However, introducing synthetic sequences and selection markers may pose potential risks. The endogenous editing of target gene promoters could effectively mitigate these risks. To date, no available mutation [...] Read more.

Gene-edited cattle overexpressing natural resistance-associated macrophage 1 (NRAMP1) have demonstrated enhanced resistance to tuberculosis (TB). However, introducing synthetic sequences and selection markers may pose potential risks. The endogenous editing of target gene promoters could effectively mitigate these risks. To date, no available mutation sites in the bovine NRAMP1 promoter have been identified to enhance host resistance to TB. In this study, we identified a unique mutation editing site, designated as 2SP, within the bovine NRAMP1 promoter, using bioinformatics analysis and dual luciferase assays. The mutation at the 2SP site specifically increased NRAMP1 promoter activity by 2.3-fold after Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Ra infection, without modifying promoter activity in non-infected groups. By using base editing techniques, an endogenously edited THP-1 cell line with a mutation at the homologous region of the 2SP site was generated, without introducing screening markers. In H37Ra infection experiments, the edited THP-1 cells specifically upregulated NRAMP1 expression and significantly inhibited H37Ra proliferation, while maintaining baseline NRAMP1 expression levels in the absence of infection. In this research, we identified a novel mutation site and provided a fundamental reference for the development of gene-edited cattle with enhanced resistance to TB. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Advances in Molecular Genetics and Breeding of Cattle, Sheep, and Goats)

►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

8 pages, 730 KiB  

Open AccessArticle

Variation in Ovine KRTAP13-3 and Its Association with Wool Characteristics in Chinese Tan Sheep

by Lingrong Bai, Huitong Zhou, Jinzhong Tao and Jon G. H. Hickford

Animals 2025, 15(7), 1069; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani15071069 - 7 Apr 2025

Viewed by 191

Abstract

Understanding the genetic factors that influence wool quality is essential for enhancing wool quality and uniformity. This study investigated the KRTAP13-3 gene in Chinese Tan sheep, a breed known for its unique wool characteristics. We analysed 232 sheep and revealed five previously identified [...] Read more.

Understanding the genetic factors that influence wool quality is essential for enhancing wool quality and uniformity. This study investigated the KRTAP13-3 gene in Chinese Tan sheep, a breed known for its unique wool characteristics. We analysed 232 sheep and revealed five previously identified sequence variants of KRTAP13-3 and then modelled to ascertain whether there was any association between the nucleotide sequence variation and variation in mean fibre diameter (MFD), fibre diameter standard deviation (FDSD), coefficient of variation of fibre diameter (CVFD), and mean fibre curvature (MFC). Twelve genotypes were observed, with the five variants having frequencies that ranged from 64.0% to 1.1%. Among the four variants with frequencies above 5%, nucleotide sequence variation was associated with heterotypic hair fibre diameter variation. The most common variant (A) was linked to increased FDSD and CVFD, while two other variants (B and D) revealed trends towards being associated with decreased CVFD. No associations were found with variation in the fine wool fibres from the Tan sheep. This suggests that KRTAP13-3 plays a role in regulating heterotypic hair fibre diameter variability and that it could possibly be a gene marker for improving wool traits. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Advances in Molecular Genetics and Breeding of Cattle, Sheep, and Goats)

►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

attachment

Supplementary material:
Supplementary File 1 (ZIP, 13267 KiB)

17 pages, 6291 KiB  

Open AccessArticle

CTNNB1 and CDH1 Regulate Trophoblast Cell Adhesion and Junction Formation in Yak Placental Tissue at Different Gestational Stages

by Bohao Zhang, Chen Song, Bin Zhou, Junjun Zhang, Weitao Dong, Yong Zhang, Xingxu Zhao and Quanwei Zhang

Animals 2025, 15(6), 876; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani15060876 - 19 Mar 2025

Viewed by 355

Abstract

Yaks (Bos grunniens), which are distributed across the Tibetan Plateau and other high-altitude regions, are vital livestock that provide essential resources for local herders and have significant economic and ecological value [...] Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Advances in Molecular Genetics and Breeding of Cattle, Sheep, and Goats)

►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

16 pages, 3592 KiB  

Open AccessArticle

Multi-Omics Analysis Revealed the Molecular Mechanisms Affecting Average Daily Gain in Cattle

by Mingjuan Gu, Hongyu Jiang, Fengying Ma, Shuai Li, Yaqiang Guo, Lin Zhu, Caixia Shi, Risu Na, Yu Wang and Wenguang Zhang

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2025, 26(5), 2343; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms26052343 - 6 Mar 2025

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 563

Abstract

The average daily gain (ADG) is a critical index for evaluating growth rates in cattle and is closely linked to the economic benefits of the cattle industry. Heredity is one of the factors affecting the daily gain of cattle. However, the molecular mechanisms [...] Read more.

The average daily gain (ADG) is a critical index for evaluating growth rates in cattle and is closely linked to the economic benefits of the cattle industry. Heredity is one of the factors affecting the daily gain of cattle. However, the molecular mechanisms regulating ADG remain incompletely understood. This study aimed to systematically unravel the molecular mechanisms underlying the divergence in ADG between high average daily gain (HADG) and low average daily gain (LADG) Angus cattle through integrated multi-omics analyses (microbiome, metabolome, and transcriptome), hypothesizing that the gut microbiota–host gene–metabolism axis is a key regulatory network driving ADG divergence. Thirty Angus cattle were classified according to their HADG and LADG. Fecal and serum samples were collected for 16S, fecal metabolome, and blood transcriptome analysis. The results showed that compared with the LADG group, the abundance of Firmicutes increased in the HADG group, while the abundance of Bacteroidetes and Proteobacteria decreased. Metabolomics and transcriptomic analysis revealed that KEGG pathways associated with differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and differentially abundant metabolites (DAMs) were enriched in bile acid metabolism. Spearman correlation analysis showed that Oscillospira was positively correlated with ZBTB20 and negatively correlated with RADIL. ZBTB20 was negatively correlated with dgA-11_gut_group. This study analyzed the regulatory mechanism of average daily gain of beef cattle from genetic, metabolic, and microbial levels, providing a theoretical basis for analyzing the mechanism of differential daily gain of beef cattle, and has important significance for improving the production performance of beef cattle. The multi-omics network provides biomarker foundations for machine learning-based ADG prediction models, offering potential applications in precision breeding. While these biomarkers show promise for precision breeding, their causal roles require further validation. The conclusions are derived from a single breed (Angus) and gender (castrated males). Future studies should include females and diverse breeds to assess generalizability. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Advances in Molecular Genetics and Breeding of Cattle, Sheep, and Goats)

►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

13 pages, 2313 KiB  

Open AccessArticle

EPAS1 Variations and Hematological Adaptations to High-Altitude Hypoxia in Indigenous Goats in Yunnan Province, China

by Li Zhu, Lin Tang, Yunong Zhao, Shanshan Li, Xiao Gou, Weidong Deng and Xiaoyan Kong

Animals 2025, 15(5), 695; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani15050695 - 27 Feb 2025

Viewed by 411

Abstract

The EPAS1 gene plays a central role in hypoxia adaptation in high-altitude animals. Using over 400 blood samples from goats across elevations in Yunnan (500–3500 m), this study examined hematological traits, genetic polymorphisms, and protein structure. Red blood cell (RBC) and hemoglobin (HGB) [...] Read more.

The EPAS1 gene plays a central role in hypoxia adaptation in high-altitude animals. Using over 400 blood samples from goats across elevations in Yunnan (500–3500 m), this study examined hematological traits, genetic polymorphisms, and protein structure. Red blood cell (RBC) and hemoglobin (HGB) levels increased significantly with altitude (p < 0.05), reflecting improved oxygen transport. A non-synonymous SNP (g.86650 A>T, p.Gln556Leu) exhibited adaptive selection, with the T allele frequency rising at higher altitudes (p < 0.05). At 2500 m, TT genotype goats showed significantly higher RBC and HGB levels than AA genotypes (p < 0.05). Protein modeling revealed structural instability caused by the polymorphism, highlighting its role in enhancing hypoxia adaptation. These findings provide a foundation for improving high-altitude livestock genetics. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Advances in Molecular Genetics and Breeding of Cattle, Sheep, and Goats)

►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less

Select all

Export citation of selected articles as:

Plain Text BibTeX BibTeX (without abstracts) Endnote Endnote (without abstracts) Tab-delimited RIS

 

Error

Oops... you haven't selected anything for export.

Ok

clear

Displaying articles 1-5