Single-Cell Sequencing Technology in Ruminant Livestock: Challenges and Opportunities

The review explores the transformative potential of single-cell sequencing technologies in ruminant livestock, such as cattle, sheep, and goats, for understanding cellular heterogeneity and gene expression. These technologies can improve traits like meat quality, milk production, and disease resistance, crucial for meeting global demand for animal products. Despite challenges like high costs and the need for species-agnostic computational pipelines, advancements in sequencing protocols and genomic tools are expected to overcome these barriers. Current applications have advanced understanding of immune cell populations and economically important traits, with future research focusing on immune responses and microbiome studies to optimize breeding strategies and drive sustainable livestock production.