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Simple Summary: Dairy cows commonly suffer from two major health problems, mastitis (udder inflammation) and lameness (difficulty walking), which cause significant pain and reduce milk production. These conditions are mainly caused by bacteria; however we do not fully understand how these bacteria adapt and spread. In our work, we focused on the genetic material of four important bacterial species that cause the mentioned diseases, analyzing over 4300 bacterial samples worldwide. We found that these bacteria showed different genomic diversity patterns depending on where they originated, suggesting they adapt to local conditions. Some bacteria also showed signs of becoming resistant to common treatments, which is concerning for animal health. We found that two bacterial species, Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus, were much more common and varied than the others. These findings help farmers and veterinarians better understand how these diseases spread and develop. This knowledge can lead to better treatments and prevention strategies, ultimately improving cow welfare and dairy farm productivity while reducing economic losses in the dairy industry. This study presents a comprehensive genomic reanalysis of major bacterial pathogens causing bovine mastitis and lameness, focusing on Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Fusobacterium necrophorum, and Treponema phagedenis. Through our analysis of 4326 bacterial genomes from global databases, we identified distinct patterns in genomic diversity, virulence factors and antimicrobial resistance genes across these species. E. coli showed the highest genomic diversity with 3779 isolates, of which 98% exhibited high-quality genome sequences. Similarly, S. aureus demonstrated significant genomic plasticity across 524 isolates, with 99.8% classified as high-quality genomes. Geographical analysis revealed distinct regional variations in strain distribution, with North America contributing 45.3% of all isolates, followed by Asia (21.2%) and Europe (18.1%). Furthermore, we identified novel virulence mechanisms and resistance patterns specific to each pathogen, with particular emphasis on the evolution of antimicrobial resistance genes. Our findings provide crucial insights into pathogen adaptation and host–microbe interactions, suggesting the need for region-specific intervention strategies. These results have significant implications for developing targeted therapeutic approaches and improving bovine health management practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

Simple Summary: Dermanyssus gallinae, or poultry red mite, is a blood-sucking opportunistic parasite that is the leading cause of losses in the poultry sector, especially in Europe. With their ability to proliferate rapidly, to utilise human activity as a form of transmission, and to starve for long periods of time, these mites have achieved high infestation rates in many countries, both inside and outside of Europe. Red mites are a huge cause for concern in terms of animal welfare, causing anaemia, pain, intense itching, and many psychological effects due to the stressful environment they generate. This, combined with significant economic losses, has necessitated the development of many different control strategies. Methods for mite infestation control include synthetic and natural pesticides, repellents, the use of natural predators and microorganisms, physical control methods, and integrated pest management strategies. This review delves into the biology, distribution, economic impact, health and safety concerns, management strategies, challenges, and available genetic and phylogenetic research surrounding Dermanyssus gallinae, while also pointing out potentially relevant topics upon which future studies could be based. Bird mites are parasites that feed on both wild and domesticated bird species, causing severe degradation in avian welfare. The chicken mite, Dermanyssus gallinae in particular, is a widespread ectoparasite in poultry, responsible for several challenges faced by the poultry industry, including poor animal health, which causes significant economic losses. This review, based on our current knowledge, aims to provide a comprehensive insight into the biology and distribution of these mites, as well as their impact on poultry health and production. It explores the most prevalent mites in avian species, with a focus on D. gallinae, and examines the different psychological and physiological alterations observed in infected stocks, such as decreased egg production, weight loss, and an increased susceptibility to diseases. This review will also cover existing control strategies, including chemical, biological, and environmental approaches, with attention to the growing concern around pesticide resistance. Additionally, it delves into genetic research conducted on these mites, primarily focusing on phylogenetic studies, which have provided insights into their evolutionary relationships and potential vulnerabilities. By compiling existing studies, this article underscores the urgent need for effective and sustainable countermeasures, as well as further genetic research to mitigate the substantial impact of D. gallinae on the poultry sector. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

As a result of climate change, many fish species have now become endangered, including common carp too. Common carp (Cyprinius carpio L.) are widespread in Europe. It has a long cultural history and is the most economically valuable fish species in Hungary. Fish farms consider their common carp stocks as a separate strains. As a result, in contrast to its neighbouring countries, there are many strains in Hungarian fisheries but detailed genetic information can be found to a small extent in connection of these. In the present study, we aimed to summarize genetic methods on common carp, with a special focus on mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) studies. more...

Native sheep breed act as reservoirs of local environment adapted genes. They are vital for food security as they are adapted to the extreme production environments. Sheep farming is a potential profitable agricultural enterprise in lands unsuitable for other agricultural activities. However, climate change effects pose their existential challenge for it leads to genetic diversity within species. Available literature of implications of climate change effects on the genetic diversity of native sheep breeds is limited. In this study, therefore, we bridge this gap by discussing sheep selection for adaptation traits and its implication on genetic diversity. This review discusses the climate change trends and projections, the history and importance of sheep, sheep farming systems, importance of genetic diversity in sheep and adaptation mechanisms highlighting their selection signatures. Further, we also discuss the use of genomic tools for selection for adaptation. Finally, this paper highlights an effective way of maintaining genetic diversity and breeding for adaptation. The understanding of impacts of climate change on genetic diversity of native sheep breeds would help in developing directional breeding program encompassing adaptation traits, as well as trigger conservation efforts for already endangered sheep breeds. more...

Understanding the responses of animals to seasonal heat stress on the genomic level has led to the identification of genes implicated in thermal stress reaction mechanisms. In this study, the relative gene expression of Interleukin-10 (IL-10), an anti-inflammatory cytokine and biomarker for heat stress-mediated immune modulation, was observed during the summer and winter seasons in continental and tropical sheep breeds, namely, Hungarian Indigenous Tsigai and White Dorper, employing quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Temperature-humidity indices (THI) were calculated to assess heat stress levels. The results indicate that IL-10 CT-values were significantly higher during the summer, when heat stress prevails, in both sheep breeds compared to winter. While the White Dorper exhibited a higher numerical value for the summer relative gene expression ratio (16.2) compared to the Hungarian Indigenous Tsigai (12.3), no significant differences in CT values were observed between breeds or among sexes. These findings suggest the immune-adaptive characteristics of the two sheep breeds during seasonal heat stress. The variation of IL-10 gene expression levels between the two breeds can be attributed to their geographical origins; the White Dorper emerging from arid subtropical South Africa and the Hungarian Indigenous Tsigai Sheep thriving in the seasonally harsh Carpathian climate for centuries. more...

Simple Summary: Pig farming is one of the most profitable components of the livestock sector in agriculture, significantly contributing to economic development, food security, and improved livelihoods for local communities in Africa and globally. However, with the increasing concern for global environmental changes, pig production is considered one of the vulnerable livestock sectors likely to be affected the most. Africa, being a tropical continent with extraordinary geographical and biological diversity, is believed to have varieties of local pigs exhibiting valuable genetic traits that can be used to promote livestock productivity through breeding for climate-resilient breeds. Unfortunately, many of these valuable traits have not been fully identified and exploited. This study provides an overview of the current state of African pig genetic resources by highlighting their diversity and adaptability potential from both phenotypic and genetic evidence. Our results indicate that African local pigs hold potential genetic traits critical for climate change adaptation. However, these traits are threatened due to crossbreeding activities with commercial breeds that are now prevalent across the continent. Thus, to keep up with the rapid speed of climate change, efforts to realize and utilize these considerable potential traits must increase before they are permanently depleted. Africa is home to a wide diversity of locally adapted pig breeds whose genetic architecture offers important insights into livestock adaptation to climate change. However, the majority of these inherent traits have not been fully highlighted. This review presents an overview of the current state of African pig genetic resources, providing highlights on their population and production statistics, production system, population diversity indices, and genomic evidence underlying their evolutionary potential. The study results reveal an incomplete characterization of local pig genotypes across the continent. The characterized population, however, demonstrates moderate to high levels of genetic diversity, enough to support breeding and conservation programs. Owing to low genetic differentiation and limited evidence of distinct population structures, it appears that most local pig populations are strains within larger breeds. Genomic evidence has shown a higher number of selection signatures associated with various economically important traits, thus making them potential candidates for climate change adaptation. The reportedly early evidence of hybridization with wild suid groups further suggests untapped insights into disease resistance and resilience traits that need to be illuminated using higher-density markers. Nevertheless, gene introgression from commercial breeds is prevalent across Africa; thus, efforts to realize and utilize these traits must increase before they are permanently depleted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...