Uncover Cattle Age-Related Differentially Methylated Genes Using Oxford Nanopore Technologies

In extensive production systems, where beef cattle are often raised unfenced and in remote areas, accurately determining their age is crucial for genomic selection to enhance genetic gain in important traits such as age at first calving, age at puberty and growth rate. Many studies have demonstrated a link between DNA methylation and aging in various species. In this study, methylation profiles of three yearling and three adult cattle were examined using Oxford Nanopore Technologies. A total of 1,044 differentially methylated genes (DMGs) were detected, with most differentially methylated regions located within 500 bp of transcription start sites. Among these DMGs, 27 genes were classified as age-related genes based on the Aging Atlas. Pathway enrichment analysis of these 27 age-related genes highlighted 61 pathways linked to aging, suggesting their biological significance in aging. Interestingly, many of these pathways are also known to be associated with the puberty process, which aligns with the context of this study where two years of age is recognised as a key transitional period into puberty in cattle. These findings underscore the potential of DNA methylation as a valuable biomarker for cattle aging and puberty, offering practical applications for livestock management and genetic selection in extensive production systems.