MINI REVIEW article
Front. Anim. Sci.
Sec. Animal Nutrition
Volume 6 - 2025 | doi: 10.3389/fanim.2025.1613829
Molecular and Metabolic Insights into Muscle Development and Feed Efficiency in Beef Cattle
Provisionally accepted
- 1The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Knoxville, United States
- 2Genomics Center for the Advancement of Agriculture, University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture, Knoxville, United States
Select one of your emails
You have multiple emails registered with Frontiers:
Notify me on publication
Please enter your email address:
If you already have an account, please login
You don't have a Frontiers account ? You can register here
As global demand for animal protein rises, improving feed efficiency in beef cattle has become a central focus for sustainable livestock production. Feed efficiency, often quantified through residual feed intake (RFI), is a complex trait influenced by genetic, physiological, and environmental factors. Among these, skeletal muscle plays a pivotal role due to its central function in growth, metabolism, and nutrient utilization. This mini-review explores the molecular and metabolic mechanisms linking muscle development to feed efficiency, highlighting recent advances in gene expression profiling, hormone signaling, and energy metabolism. Studies have identified key genes and pathways, such as those involved in the electron transport chain and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF1) signaling, that contribute to muscle growth and efficient energy use. Additionally, the role of the rumen microbiome in modulating nutrient absorption and its interaction with host muscle metabolism is discussed. Integrating these insights with genomic selection tools provides a promising avenue for enhancing feed efficiency while maintaining production goals. Understanding the biological foundations of muscle development offers valuable opportunities to refine genetic selection and management practices for a more profitable and environmentally sustainable beef industry.
Keywords: feed efficiency, beef cattle, Muscle, Physiology, sustainability
Received: 17 Apr 2025; Accepted: 13 Jun 2025.
Copyright: © 2025 Ascolese, Voy, Beever, Stephens and Myer. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) or licensor are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.
* Correspondence: Phillip R. Myer, The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Knoxville, United States
Disclaimer: All claims expressed in this article are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of their affiliated organizations, or those of the publisher, the editors and the reviewers. Any product that may be evaluated in this article or claim that may be made by its manufacturer is not guaranteed or endorsed by the publisher.