Bovine IL-22 (Interleukin-22) is a member of the IL-10 cytokine family that plays a critical role in mucosal immunity and epithelial barrier protection in cattle (Bos taurus). IL-22 is produced primarily by Th17 and Th22 CD4⁺ T cells, as well as by γδ T cells-which are abundant in ruminants-and innate lymphoid cells (ILC3s) in response to microbial infection and inflammatory stimulation. It signals through the IL-22 receptor complex (IL-22R1 and IL-10R2), expressed mainly on epithelial and stromal cells, activating downstream JAK/STAT pathways-particularly STAT3-to induce antimicrobial peptide production, promote epithelial cell proliferation, and enhance tissue repair. In healthy cattle, basal IL-22 expression is generally low but increases during bacterial, viral, and parasitic infections, especially at mucosal surfaces of the respiratory, gastrointestinal, and mammary tissues. Bovine IL-22 has been implicated in immune responses to pathogens involved in bovine respiratory disease complex, enteric infections such as Escherichia coli and Salmonella, mastitis-causing bacteria, and Mycobacterium bovis. In veterinary and agricultural research, IL-22 serves as a biomarker of mucosal immune activation and epithelial defense and is studied in the context of host-pathogen interactions, vaccine responses, and maintenance of barrier integrity in cattle health and production systems.