Sequencing the transcriptome of milk production: milk trumps mammary tissue

BMC Genomics

Table 4 Advantages and disadvantages of sample type as RNA source

RNA source	Advantages	Disadvantages
Mammary tissue	Can isolate specific cells	Invasive
Milk cells	Non-invasive	Heterogeneous cell population
	Epithelial cell signature	Some dying cells
	Relatively stable RNA	Sensitive to infection, inflammation
Milk fat	Non-invasive	RNA vulnerable to degradation
Milk fat	Epithelial cell signature	RNA vulnerable to degradation
	No/low stromal or immune cell signature

ISSN: 1471-2164