Investigation of the role of epigenetics in cattle breeding is gaining importance. DNA methylation represents an epigenetic modification which is essential for genomic stability and maintenance of development. Recently, DNA methylation research in cattle has intensified. The studies focus on the definition of methylomes in various organs and tissues in relation to the expression of genes underlying economically important traits, and explore methylome changes under developmental, environmental, disease, and diet influences. The investigations further characterize the methylation patterns of gametes in connection with their quality, and study methylome alterations in the developing naturally or assisted produced zygotes, embryos, and fetuses, considering their viability. A wide array of technologies developed for accurate and precise analysis of DNA methylation patterns is employed for both single-gene and genome-wide studies. Overall, the research is directed towards the identification of single methylation markers or their combinations which may be useful in the selection and breeding of animals to ensure cattle improvement.

研究表观遗传学在牛育种中的作用变得越来越重要。DNA 甲基化代表一种表观遗传修饰，对于基因组的稳定性和发育的维持至关重要。最近，牛的 DNA 甲基化研究得到加强。这些研究侧重于各种器官和组织中与重要经济性状基因表达相关的甲基化组的定义，并探索在发育、环境、疾病和饮食影响下的甲基化组变化。研究进一步描述了与其质量相关的配子的甲基化模式，并研究了自然发育或辅助产生的受精卵、胚胎和胎儿的甲基化改变，并考虑了它们的生存能力。为准确和精确地分析 DNA 甲基化模式而开发的各种技术被用于单基因和全基因组研究。总体而言，该研究旨在鉴定单个甲基化标记或其组合，这可能有助于动物的选择和育种，以确保牛的改良。