Mitochondrial dysfunction in the bovine mammary gland: regulatory mechanisms and therapeutic strategies

Periparturient metabolic stress or pathogen infections leading to inflammation reduce milk yield and cause mammary dysfunction, thus, causing severe economic losses to dairy farming. As the primary organelle for cellular energy production, calcium regulation, cell death, and metabolism, mitochondrial homeostasis plays a crucial role in maintaining normal mammary gland function. This review focuses on the regulatory mechanisms of mitochondrial homeostasis and the effect of mitochondrial dysfunction on homeostatic mechanisms in bovine mammary gland. Furthermore, we summarize several potential therapeutic strategies targeting mitochondrial metabolic dysfunction to alleviate mammary tissue damage.