bta-mir-409a: Bta-mir-409a is a miRNA that has been identified as a strong candidate involved in regulating fat and fatty acids in cattle [PMC8993808]. In a dual-luciferase reporter assay, it was found that bta-mir-409a decreased the activity of the wild-type of PLIN5 [PMC8993808]. In cattle, bta-mir-409a, along with bta-miR-216b and bta-miR-2407, was down-regulated in the LD of steers, suggesting their involvement in lipid regulation [PMC8993808]. These three miRNAs were found to up-regulate critical genes involved in lipid metabolism [PMC8993808]. It is hypothesized that PLIN5 may be involved in lipid transport and storage protein in adipocytes and its down-regulation by bta-mir-409a may promote the incorporation of fatty acids into triglycerides [PMC8993808]. Bta-mir-409a was not detected in granulosa cells of DF but was detected at day 3 and disappeared at day 7 of the estrous cycle [PMC4156418]. It was also found to be unique to subordinate follicles and its expression level was significantly reduced in preovulatory dominant follicles [PMC4438052]. At parturition, bta-mir-409a showed downregulation along with other miRNAs such as miR-1 and miR-138 [PMC9445238]. Bta-mir-409a has been chosen as a target for validation due to its differential expression patterns across different conditions such as udder parenchyma tissue infected with CoNS compared to healthy tissue [PMC6691986][PMC7937231].