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The objective of the study was to characterize non-coding RNAs (ncRNA) present in raw milk collected from one commercial dairy processing facility. Silo milk was selected because it should be representative of raw milk of “typical” lactating dairy cows. Our hypothesis was that raw bovine milk would contain immune- and developmental-related ncRNA that may support the health of the mammary gland of the cow and could aid in the maturation of the neonatal gut. Four samples of raw silo milk were collected on separate days, and total RNA was purified and profiled by using next-generation sequencing (RNA-seq). Our findings indicate an over-representation of ncRNA that target genes related to both immune modulation and growth and development, supporting our hypothesis that ncRNA in raw milk may help support the health of both the cow and calf.
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/james_reecy/108/