Epigenetics and Livestock

The field of epigenetics is rapidly evolving and people other than scientists are taking note. Agriculture researchers are now considering how the industry can exploit epigenetic mechanisms. Understanding how epigenetics can be utilized in agriculture can also lead to understanding the importance epigenetics plays in animal heredity and evolution. 

Epigenetic changes often occur due to various environmental factors. Goddard et al. explains, "If an environmental treatment of a male affected his progeny’s performance that would be more surprising and more valuable because the treatment would be applied to only a small number of males but benefit the whole herd or flock. This might occur as a result of an inherited epigenetic mark or by RNA attached to sperm" (Goddard et al. 2014). 
Therefore a male would pass his epigenetic changes down and in a species that tends to have multiple mates and copious children this could impact an entire population or more. As mentioned in a previous post, mice with neglectful maternal care react to stress in a more negative fashion, thus if a male passes on a negative epigenetic trait it could result in a detriment to the fitness of the offspring and population. This process impacts the evolution of species especially in captivity such as livestock where the environment is unchanging and mating likely limited.


Thankfully, scientists have utilized epigenetics positively in the hopes of improving livestock environments. Recognizing the influence environment has on the expression of genes, scientists claim,
"A variety of imprinted genes have been found in livestock that affect traits such as milk yield, growth and carcass traits, fat and meat deposition and fetal development… More focus on the maternal contribution will be needed [in breeding programs]" (Zeric, 2012).
Agricultural specialists have also begun mapping the epigenome of livestock in order to identify disease susceptible methylation patterns. Further, studies have also attempted to compare diets and grazing behaviors, "animals with concentrate and uni-feed diet systems are expected to be differently methylated than animals in a less intensive system based on a pasture feeding systems" (Gonzalez-Recio, 2012). 

Epigenetics is impacting our agricultural industry in various ways and will hopefully bring about positive changes. The environment and behavior of one can epigenetically impact the future generation and incorporating more maternal care will likely bring about healthier livestock. 

References:

Goddard, M. E., & Whitelaw, E. (2014). The use of epigenetic phenomema for the improvement of sheep and cattle. Frontiers in Genetics, 5. doi: 10.3389/fgene.2014.00247

Zeric, D. (2012). Importance of Epigenetics in Animal Breeding: Genomic Imprinting. Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences. http://stud.epsilon.slu.se/3888/1/zeric_d_120221.pdf

Gonzalez-Recio, O. (2012). Epigenetics: a new challenge in the post-genomic era of livestock. Frontiers in Genetics, 2. doi: 10.3389/fgene.2011.00106

All photos accessed 14/05/15 and referenced from top to bottom of blog
http://oklahomafarmreport.com/wire/news/2012/07/media/00390_Poulty-Chickens-House053020.jpg
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/59/2789694551_37beafc438_b_-_Grass_Fed_Beef_-_Ryan_Thompson_-_Flickr_-_USDAgov.jpg
http://environmentagriculture.curtin.edu.au/local/images/res_agriculture.jpg
http://analyzemycareer.com/Careers/ooh/life-physical-and-social-science/agricultural-and-food-scientists.htm