bioRxiv - The avian and human influenza A virus receptors sialic acid (SA)-α2,3 and SA-α2,6 are widely expressed in the bovine mammary gland

[Toaster2]

https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2024.05.03.592326v1

Cows have a2,6 sialic acids as well as a2,3 sialic acids in their udders. This is ver relevant as this is why the pig is seen as a mixing vessel (bc of having both of them in the airways). But for adapting to a2,6 coexpression is important not where it is. Although for transmission the udder is less efficient than exhaled air.

 

[Commonground]

From the above Abstract:

These results provide a mechanistic rationale for the high levels of H5N1 virus reported in infected bovine milk and show cattle have the potential to act as a mixing vessel for novel IAV generation.