Chinese scientists have achieved a major breakthrough by creating a comprehensive dairy cattle cell atlas. This new dairy cattle cell atlas reveals how different cell types influence important traits, helping farmers and researchers improve milk production and cattle health.
The research team, led by China Agricultural University and working with other institutions, used advanced single-cell RNA sequencing technology. They studied 59 different tissue types from Holstein cattle. In total, they analyzed around 1.79 million high-quality cells. Through careful work, they identified 131 distinct cell types. These cells fell into seven major lineages, including immune cells and germ cells.
Sun Dongxiao, a leading professor at China Agricultural University, explained that traditional studies usually examine gene activity at the tissue level. This method makes it difficult to understand how individual cells communicate. In contrast, the comprehensive single-cell map of dairy cows lets scientists observe these interactions clearly, opening new possibilities for precision breeding.
Moreover, the team integrated their cell data with a genome-wide association study of 16,000 dairy cattle. They found that excitatory neurons strongly affect milk fat yield and fatty acid composition. Retinal amacrine cells and skeletal muscle cells also influence milk fatty acid profiles. These discoveries provide valuable guidance for enhancing milk quality.
The researchers also examined mammary epithelial cells in depth. They divided these cells into eight subtypes and found specific subtypes closely linked to milk biosynthesis. In addition, they explored the four stomach chambers of cows, showing unexpected similarities between ruminant stomachs and human stomach epithelial cells.
Health and disease research also benefited from the dairy cattle cell atlas. The team identified new connections between cell types and disease resistance, offering insights that could improve cattle welfare and reduce illness. Sun emphasized that the atlas fills a key gap in single-cell studies of cows. He added that this framework can guide research on other livestock species.
By using cutting-edge technology and analyzing vast amounts of data, Chinese researchers showed how a comprehensive single-cell map of dairy cows can advance both agricultural and biological research. Additionally, their results point to new methods for immunology and comparative biology studies.
The dairy cattle cell atlas will likely help farmers, breeders, and scientists worldwide. Its repeated key phrase, “dairy cattle cell atlas,” highlights its significance throughout this study.
