The major histocompatibility complex (MHC) represents a critical genetic locus that orchestrates adaptive immune responses through antigen presentation and T cell activation, characterized by exceptional polymorphism and species-specific diversity. In herbivores, MHC polymorphisms constitute fundamental determinants of resistance to parasitic, viral, and bacterial infections while serving as crucial indicators of genetic diversity and breeding value in animal populations. Recent advances in high-throughput sequencing technologies, single-cell omics, and population genetics have substantially advanced understanding of MHC gene structure, allelic polymorphism, evolutionary patterns, and associations with disease susceptibility and vaccine responsiveness. This comprehensive review systematically examines the structural characteristics and regulatory mechanisms of MHC genes, their associations with infectious disease resistance, their role in vaccine responses, and their practical applications in molecular breeding programs, conservation genetics, and immunological research. We identify current technical limitations and outline future research directions to establish a robust theoretical foundation for disease resistance breeding and immune regulation strategies in herbivore populations.
Manna Dou, Xiangnan Zhou, Junjie Liu et al.· Biology· 0 citations
Simple Summary Brucellosis imposes heavy economic burdens on livestock and poses a persistent zoonotic threat. Although infection rarely causes death, it commonly triggers abortion and stillbirth; however, the genomic and immunological drivers of this variable clinical outcome are largely unknown. This review brings together scattered findings from genetics, genomics, and transcriptomics to explain how both the animal host and the bacterium shape disease outcome. We highlight practical advances most relevant to veterinary practice: genetic markers that may contribute to breeding programs after independent validation to produce naturally resistant cattle, goats, sheep, and buffalo, and gene-expression signatures that may sharpen diagnosis and disease staging. We also clarify why antimicrobial resistance in Brucella may involve regulatory, metabolic, and chromosomal mechanisms that are not fully captured by classical acquired resistance-gene databases. By identifying where current evidence is strong, weak, or missing, this work offers researchers and practitioners key research priorities for advancing genetics-informed disease control, improving animal welfare, and reducing zoonotic transmission.
Abdul Qadeer, M. Tharwat, Ibrahim F. Halawani et al.· Veterinary Sciences· 0 citations
Simple Summary Goats are a mainstay of milk production in dry and difficult regions, supporting the livelihoods of millions of smallholder farmers and supplying milk that is nutritious, easy to digest, and less likely to trigger allergies than cow milk. Yet breeding goats for higher and better-quality milk has progressed more slowly than in dairy cattle. Modern DNA-based tools can accelerate this progress by pinpointing the genes that shape how much milk a goat produces and how rich it is in fat and protein. This review brings together findings from many studies to identify which genes most reliably influence these traits and how they act inside the udder. Such knowledge allows breeders to select superior animals earlier and more accurately. Realizing these benefits will require larger, carefully recorded goat populations and the combining of different biological datasets, ultimately helping farmers raise more productive herds and improving the supply of high-quality goat milk.
Shuaishuai Wu, M. Tharwat, Abd Ullah et al.· Veterinary Sciences· 0 citations
C. nutans demonstrates significant medicinal potential, and future research priorities should include bioactivity-guided isolation of novel metabolites, validated in vivo mechanistic studies, pharmacokinetic and metabolomic profiling, and the implementation of standardized Phase I/II clinical trials and veterinary evaluations to support its further development and application.
Wenxuan Si, Xinyue Sun, Yuanbin Han et al.· Frontiers in Pharmacology· 0 citations
This study provides the first comprehensive temporal transcriptomic atlas of the donkey endometrium, revealing conserved endocrine–immune–metabolic regulatory networks comparable to those in mares and cattle.
