The Use of "Omics" in Lactation Research in Dairy Cows

Int J Mol Sci. 2017 May 5;18(5):983. doi: 10.3390/ijms18050983.

Abstract

"Omics" is the application of genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, and metabolomics in biological research. Over the years, tremendous amounts of biological information has been gathered regarding the changes in gene, mRNA and protein expressions as well as metabolites in different physiological conditions and regulations, which has greatly advanced our understanding of the regulation of many physiological and pathophysiological processes. The aim of this review is to comprehensively describe the advances in our knowledge regarding lactation mainly in dairy cows that were obtained from the "omics" studies. The "omics" technologies have continuously been preferred as the technical tools in lactation research aiming to develop new nutritional, genetic, and management strategies to improve milk production and milk quality in dairy cows.

Keywords: genomics; lactation; metabolomics; proteomics; transcriptomics.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cattle / genetics*
  • Cattle / physiology
  • Female
  • Genome-Wide Association Study / methods
  • Genomics / methods*
  • Lactation / genetics*
  • Male
  • Metabolomics / methods*
  • Selective Breeding