[2] Besides structural and enzymatic genes required for virion production, BLV expresses the Tax protein and microRNAs involved in cell proliferation and oncogenesis .

Transmission via colostrum, milk, and in utero exposure is generally considered to account for a relatively small proportion of infections.

[7] Embryo transfer and artificial insemination also account for a small number of new infections if common equipment and/or palpation sleeves are used.

[10] An unexpected clinical finding is protrusion of the conjunctival membrane, due to enlargement of retro-ocular lymph nodes.

[10] Diagnosis relies on agar gel immunodiffusion, ELISA (enzyme linked immunosorbent assay) and PCR (polymerase chain reaction).

In herds where the disease is widespread, it is important to limit spread by avoiding contact with blood between animals.

[12][13][14] The approach is based of a provirus with deletions or mutations in genes required for efficient replication (R3,G4, microRNAs, envelope).

Compared to wild-type infection, the humoral response against BLV antigens is only slightly reduced in vaccinated animals.

[16] Several studies have been carried out to determine whether BLV causes disease in humans, testing mostly farm workers who drink raw milk from infected cows.

These results corroborate the findings of the previous study of US women with an even higher odds ratio for the Australian population.

[21] In 2019, a review of possible role of Bovine Leukemia Virus in breast cancer is proposed by Gertrude C Buehring.

More research needs to be done to determine if there are differences in BLV presence in metastatic versus primary breast cancer cells from the same human tissue donor.

[26] There are other mammal hosts including Bubalus bubalis, Mus musculus, Oryctolagus cuniculus and Ovis aries.

A persistent antibody response can also be detected after experimental infection in deer, rabbits, rats, guinea-pigs, cats, dogs, sheep, rhesus monkeys, chimpanzees, antelopes, pigs, goats and buffaloes.

One can use the experience with BLV for understanding HTLV-I induced diseases like ATL (adult T-cell leukemia) and HAM/TSP (HTLV-1-associated myelopathy/Tropical spastic paraparesis)-like neurological disorders.