Organoid-based platforms in livestock: Current advances and future prospects.

Abstract

Organoid research has been extensively developed and investigated in humans and rodents; however, its applications in livestock species remain comparatively limited. To address this knowledge gap, this review provides a comprehensive synthesis of the historical evolution, establishment protocols, and current organ-specific applications of livestock-derived organoids, spanning tissues such as the intestine, liver, lung, kidney, testis, mammary gland, and reproductive tract. These self-organizing three-dimensional cultures serve as powerful platforms for investigating fundamental questions in veterinary science, from modeling host-pathogen interactions in infectious diseases to exploring the complex biology of reproduction, toxicology, and productivity. Additionally, recent advances in bioengineering and genome-editing technologies, including CRISPR/Cas9, base editing, and prime editing, are highlighted for their potential to enhance the physiological relevance and reproducibility of livestock organoid systems. Despite ongoing challenges, including the lack of standardized protocols, limited availability of pluripotent stem cell-derived models, and insufficient multicellular complexity, livestock organoids represent a strategically important frontier in veterinary science and agricultural biotechnology. In conclusion, the combination of stem cell biology, microphysiological platforms, and genetic engineering positions livestock organoids as indispensable tools for veterinary medicine, agricultural innovation, and translational biomedical research.