International Journal of Molecular Veterinary Research 2024, Vol.14, No.1, 9-16 http://animalscipublisher.com/index.php/ijmvr 14 substances, such as allergens, antibiotic residues, or carcinogenic substances, can further contribute to improving food safety. Although CRISPR-Cas9 technology holds vast potential for dairy cow improvement, it faces challenges in its application, such as legal regulations and technical limitations. However, with continuous technological advancements and efforts from scientists, it is foreseeable that CRISPR-Cas9 will achieve more breakthroughs in the agricultural sector, providing significant improvements for the dairy industry. These prospects not only contribute to increasing dairy production quantity and quality but also aid in reducing environmental impact and enhancing food safety, thereby promoting sustainable development in the agricultural sector. 3 Research Methods and Case Studies 3.1 Specific applications of CRISPR-Cas9 in cow gene editing The specific application of CRISPR-Cas9 technology in cow gene editing is a captivating field that has made significant progress. This technology allows scientists to precisely edit the genes of cows to enhance milk fat synthesis and increase dairy production. In cows, a common application involves improving the efficiency of the milk fat synthesis pathway. For instance, scientists can edit genes related to fatty acid synthesis, such as FASN(fatty acid synthase), to increase the yield of milk fat. Additionally, they can edit genes associated with milk protein synthesis to improve the quality of dairy products. These edits can result in more fat and protein in cow milk, thereby enhancing the quantity and quality of dairy products. 3.2 Some successful case studies Several successful case studies have demonstrated the potential of CRISPR-Cas9 technology in cow gene editing. These cases provide tangible evidence for enhancing cow milk fat synthesis genes to increase dairy production. A research team successfully edited the FASN gene in cows, a key gene controlling fatty acid synthesis. By increasing the expression level of FASN, they achieved a more efficient milk fat synthesis pathway. This improvement led to a significant increase in daily milk production per cow, enhancing the efficiency of dairy product manufacturing. Another case study focused on improving the quality of cow milk protein. Researchers used CRISPR-Cas9 technology to edit the cow's β-lactoglobulin (β-Lg) gene, reducing the risk of β-Lg allergies (Priyadharsini et al., 2023). This gene editing work improved the quality of dairy products, especially in the production of liquid milk and dairy products, reducing allergen content. 3.3 Current research Despite significant achievements, the field of cow gene editing is continually evolving, with many ongoing studies involving broader gene editing targets and applications. Some ongoing research aims to enhance cow resistance to diseases (Zhang et al., 2023). By editing immune-related genes, scientists hope to reduce the risk of cows contracting diseases, thereby lowering the use of drugs and veterinary expenses. Other studies focus on improving the functionality of dairy products. By editing genes related to the production of antioxidants or other beneficial compounds, researchers aim to produce more nutritionally rich and health-promoting dairy products. Some studies strive to enhance cow adaptability to different environmental conditions. This may include improving cow cold resistance (Wang et al., 2022) or heat resistance, thereby expanding the distribution range of cows in different geographical regions. These ongoing studies represent the frontier of CRISPR-Cas9 technology in the field of cow gene editing. With advancements in technology and more successful cases, we anticipate seeing further innovations and improvements in the future, enhancing the efficiency of cow milk fat synthesis genes to meet the growing demand for dairy products and improve the sustainability of the food industry.
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