Epigenetic biomarkers for animal welfare monitoring

Biomarkers for holistic animal welfare monitoring represent a considerable unmet need in veterinary medicine. Epigenetic modifications, like DNA methylation, provide important information about cellular states and environments, which makes them highly attractive for biomarker development. Up until now, much of the corresponding research has been focused on human cancers. However, the increasing availability of animal genomes and epigenomes has greatly improved our capacity for epigenetic biomarker development. In this review, we provide an overview about animal DNA methylation patterns and the technologies that enable the analysis of these patterns. We also describe the key frameworks for compound DNA methylation biomarkers, DNA methylation clocks and environment-specific DNA methylation signatures, that allow complex, context-dependent readouts about animal health and disease. Finally, we provide practical examples for how these biomarkers could be applied for health and environmental exposure monitoring, two key aspects of animal welfare assessments. Taken together, our article provides an overview about the molecular and biological foundations for the development of epigenetic biomarkers in veterinary science and their application potential in animal welfare monitoring.

Automated summary

Biomarkers for holistic animal welfare monitoring are urgently needed in veterinary medicine. Epigenetic modifications, like DNA methylation, have great potential for biomarker development as they provide valuable information about cellular states and environments. This review discusses animal DNA methylation patterns, the technologies for analyzing them, and key frameworks for developing compound DNA methylation biomarkers, DNA methylation clocks, and environment-specific DNA methylation signatures. Practical examples of applying these biomarkers for health and environmental exposure monitoring are also provided. This article provides an overview of the molecular and biological foundations for developing epigenetic biomarkers in veterinary science and their potential in animal welfare monitoring.