Blood test could predict if cattle will develop disease
© Tim Scrivener Blood testing female dairy calves for molecules in the blood – called microRNAs – could help predict their likelihood of developing disease, scientists say.
Scientists have found the blood levels of certain microRNAs change dramatically during the early life of cows.
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Some of these blood molecules are associated with diseases such as lameness and mastitis – inflammation of the udders – as well as with milk production.
Researchers at the Roslin Institute and Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC) who carried out the study say a procedure to identify calves that are likely to have problems later in life would benefit the dairy industry and improve animal welfare.
Levels of microRNA can be easily analysed in lab tests, and used to assess changes in tissue function. This approach is already being applied to disease diagnosis in humans.
In UK dairy herds, up to one-third of cows are affected by disease or reproductive failure. This incurs costs to farmers.
Dr Xavier Donadeu, of the University of Edinburgh’s Roslin Institute, said: “As shown in previous studies, these results demonstrate that blood testing for microRNAs may be very useful as diagnostic tools in dairy cows and potentially other livestock species.
“They could allow for early selection of the healthiest animals in a herd in order to aid productivity and animal wellbeing.”
The research was published in Scientific Reports.