Genetic Improvement and Nutrigenomic Management of Ruminants to Achieve Enteric Methane Mitigation: A Review

Abstract

A significant portion of global greenhouse gas emissions is attributed to methane (CH4), the primary greenhouse gas released by dairy animals. Thus, livestock farming has a new challenge in reducing enteric CH4 for sustainability. In anaerobic microbial ecosystems such as the rumen, carbohydrates are converted into short-chain, volatile fatty acids that animals use for energy and protein synthesis. It is, therefore, essential to understand rumen physiology, population dynamics, and diversity to target methanogens. Thus far, numerous CH4 mitigation strategies have been studied, including feeding management, nutrition, rumen modification, genetics, and other approaches for increasing animal production. As new molecular techniques are developed, scientists have more opportunities to select animals with higher genetic merit through next-generation sequencing. The amount of CH4 produced per unit of milk or meat can be permanently and cumulatively reduced through genetic selection. Developing eco-friendly and practical nutrigenomic approaches to mitigating CH4 and increasing ruminant productivity is possible using next-generation sequencing techniques. Therefore, this review summarizes current genetic and nutrigenomic approaches to reducing enteric CH4 production without posing any danger to animals or the environment.