Association of A-FABP gene polymorphism in intron 1 with meat quality traits in Junmu No. 1 white swine

Transcriptomic Profiling of Subcutaneous Backfat in Castrated and Intact Alentejano Pigs Finished Outdoors with Commercial and Fiber-Rich Diets

In this work, we studied the backfat transcriptome of surgically castrated (C), intact (I) and intact fed an experimental diet (IE) outdoor-reared male Alentejano (AL) pigs. The experimental diet was a high-fiber diet with locally produced legumes and by-products associated with a boar taint reduction effect. At slaughter (~160 kg), backfat samples were collected for total RNA sequencing. Intact pigs presented leaner carcasses, more total collagen, and more unsaturated intramuscular fat content than C animals. A total of 2726 differentially expressed genes (DEGs, |log2 FC|> 0.58, q < 0.05) were identified between C and I with overexpressed genes related to muscular activity (MYH1, ACTA1) or collagen metabolism (COL1A1, COL1A2) in I pigs. Between C and IE, 1639 DEGs of genes involved in lipidic metabolism (LEP, ME1, FABP4, ELOVL6) were overexpressed in C. Finally, only 28 DEGs were determined between I and IE. Clustering results indicated a drastic influence of the testis in the transcriptome of subcutaneous fat of AL pigs, while the diet had a marginal effect. Diet can reduce stress by increasing satiety in animals, and could have induced an increase of skatole degradation due to the higher expression of the CYP2A19 gene in the IE group.

The g.4290 C>G Polymorphism in the FADS2 Gene Modifies the Fatty Acid Profile of the Pectoralis Superficialis Muscle of Ross 308 Broiler Chickens

The effect of the g.4290 C>G substitution in the FADS2 gene and g.285 C>T in the FABP4 gene on carcass quality, meat quality, and fatty acid profile of the pectoralis superficialis muscle of 238 male broiler chickens reared up to 45 days of age was analyzed. A significant influence of g.4290 C>G in the FADS2 gene on the pectoralis superficialis muscle fatty acid profile was demonstrated. Chickens with the GG genotype were characterized by the highest content of conjugated linoleic acid, amino acids, eicosapentaenoic acids, docosapentaenoic acid, docosahexaenoic acids. and the lowest value of the linoleic acid/alpha-linolenic acid ratio. The FABP4 polymorphism determined only the content of C18:1n-9, C18:2n-6 and docosahexaenoic acid. There was no effect of the studied genotypes on final body weight, carcass quality traits, or quality of broiler pectoral muscles.

Effect of Betaine Diet on Growth Performance, Carcass Quality and Fat Deposition in Finishing Ningxiang Pigs

Simple Summary

Excessive fat deposit is one of the major problems in finishing Ningxiang pigs, and adversely affects the breeding. The study aimed to investigate the effects of diet with betaine supplementation (basal diet + 0.2% betaine) on the growth performance, slaughter performance, meat quality and the genes expression related to fat deposition in finishing Ningxiang pigs. The results indicated that diet with betaine supplementation decreased back fat thickness and fat percentage, and increased the lean meat percentage as well. In addition, it reduced the fat deposition by regulating the genes expression. These findings provided a reference for breeding Ningxiang pigs.

Abstract

The present study was conducted to investigate the effects of diet with betaine supplementation on the growth performance, carcass quality and fat deposition in finishing Ningxiang pigs. A total of 24 Ningxiang pigs (43.6 ± 5.34 kg of average body weight) was randomly divided into two groups, with 6 replicates per treatment and 2 pigs per replicate. The treatments included a control group (basal diet) and a test group (basal diet + 0.2% betaine). The whole trial lasted 81 days. At the end of the experiment, one pig (close to the average body weight of all experimental pigs) per replicate was slaughtered to determine the carcass traits, meat quality and the mRNA expression levels of genes relate to fat deposition (one pig per replicate was randomly selected and fasted for 12 h, n = 6). Results indicated that growth performance was not changed with betaine supplementation. However, dietary with betaine supplementation decreased back fat thickness and fat percentage, and increased the lean meat percentage as well (p < 0.05). In addition, diet with betaine supplementation reduced drip loss, water loss, cooking loss, shear force and b × 24 h value of meat (p < 0.05). There was no difference in total moisture, ether extract and crude protein of longissimus thoracis between the control and test group. Dietary with betaine supplementation decreased ether extract and total cholesterol (p < 0.05) in liver. Dietary with betaine supplementation upregulated the mRNA expression levels of adipose triglyceride lipase (ATGL) and sirtuin 1 (Sirt1), while downregulated the mRNA expression levels of fatty acid synthase (FAS) and acetyl CoA carboxylase (ACC) in subcutaneous fat of back (p < 0.05). Besides, dietary with betaine supplementation upregulated the fatty acid binding protein 4 (FABP4) mRNA expression of longissimus thoracis in finishing Ningxiang pigs (p < 0.05). These results showed that diet supplemented with betaine could improve the slaughtering performance and meat quality, and regulate the genes expression to affect the fat deposition in finishing Ningxiang pigs.

Next Generation Sequencing of Single Nucleotide Polymorphic DNA-Markers in Selecting for Intramuscular Fat, Fat Melting Point, Omega-3 Long-Chain Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids and Meat Eating Quality in Tattykeel Australian White MARGRA Lamb

Meat quality data can only be obtained after slaughter when selection decisions about the live animal are already too late. Carcass estimated breeding values present major precision problems due to low accuracy, and by the time an informed decision on the genetic merit for meat quality is made, the animal is already dead. We report for the first time, a targeted next-generation sequencing (NGS) of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) of lipid metabolism genes in Tattykeel Australian White (TAW) sheep of the MARGRA lamb brand, utilizing an innovative and minimally invasive muscle biopsy sampling technique for directly quantifying the genetic worth of live lambs for health-beneficial omega-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 LC-PUFA), intramuscular fat (IMF), and fat melting point (FMP). NGS of stearoyl-CoA desaturase (SCD), fatty acid binding protein-4 (FABP4), and fatty acid synthase (FASN) genes identified functional SNP with unique DNA marker signatures for TAW genetics. The SCD g.23881050T>C locus was significantly associated with IMF, C22:6n-3, and C22:5n-3; FASN g.12323864A>G locus with FMP, C18:3n-3, C18:1n-9, C18:0, C16:0, MUFA, and FABP4 g.62829478A>T locus with IMF. These add new knowledge, precision, and reliability in directly making early and informed decisions on live sheep selection and breeding for health-beneficial n-3 LC-PUFA, FMP, IMF and superior meat-eating quality at the farmgate level. The findings provide evidence that significant associations exist between SNP of lipid metabolism genes and n-3 LC-PUFA, IMF, and FMP, thus underpinning potential marker-assisted selection for meat-eating quality traits in TAW lambs.

Effect of Excessive or Restrictive Energy on Growth Performance, Meat Quality, and Intramuscular Fat Deposition in Finishing Ningxiang Pigs

This study investigated the effects of excessive or restrictive energy on growth performance, meat quality, intramuscular fat (IMF) deposition, and related gene expression in finishing Ningxiang pigs. A total of 36 Ningxiang pigs (43.26 ± 3.21 kg) were randomly assigned to three treatments (6 pens of 2 piglets per treatment) and fed by one of three dietary treatments until the pigs of each treatment weighed approximately 75 kg equally. The three treatments were control diet (digestible energy, DE:13.02 MJ/kg, CON), excessive energy diet (DE 15.22 MJ/kg, EE), and restrictive energy diet (DE 10.84 MJ/kg, RE). Results showed that EE improved average daily gain (ADG) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) (p < 0.01), while nothing significantly changed by RE except FCR increasing (p < 0.01). EE increased the content of IMF and triglycerides (TG) (p < 0.05), L*24h and b*45min (p < 0.01), while decreasing cooking loss and meat tenderness in longissimus thoracis (LT) (p < 0.05). b*24h was significantly increased with the increase of energy level (p < 0.01). Meanwhile, EE increased the cross-sectional area (CSA) of muscle fiber and the mRNA expression of myosin heavy chain (MyHC) IIb, acetyl CoA carboxylase (ACC), fatty acid synthase (FAS), and adipocyte fatty-acid binding protein (FABP4) (p < 0.05). In addition, throughout: A diet supplemented with excessive energy promoted IMF deposition by positively changing lipogenic potential while decreasing tenderness by increasing glycolytic muscle fibers, which together affected meat quality. In terms of growth performance and meat quality, the present study suggests that the low-energy diet is suitable for finishing Ningxiang pigs.

The temporal-spatial patterns, polymorphisms and association analysis with meat quality traits of FABP1 gene in domestic pigeons (Columba livia)

1. Fatty acid-binding proteins (FABP) are members of lipid-binding proteins, which participate in the metabolism and intracellular transportation of lipids. This study was designed to investigate the expression patterns, polymorphisms and associations with meat quality traits of the FABP1 gene in pigeons. 2. The temporal-spatial expression patterns showed FABP1 was widely expressed in all eleven tissues from 0-4 weeks of age, the expression level in the liver was the highest, followed by the small intestine and subcutaneous fat. 3. Five novel SNPs were found; all of them were synonymous and in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. Association analysis revealed that for the SNP of G161C, the AB and BB genotypes had higher (P ≤ 0.01) inosinic acid concentrations in breast muscle than the AA genotype. The BB genotype showed the highest (P < 0.01) intramuscular fat among the three genotypes, and significantly greater FABP1 mRNA levels were observed in the breast muscle of the BB genotype than in the AA and AB genotypes (P < 0.01). In the SNP C1376T, the AB and BB genotypes showed higher (P < 0.01) intramuscular fat than the AA genotype, and the relative mRNA expression level of the BB (P < 0.01) and AB (P < 0.05) genotypes was higher than that of the AA genotype in breast muscle. Correlation analysis implied that the FABP1 mRNA expression level was closely related to the inosinic acid (P < 0.05) and intramuscular fat content (P < 0.01). Oil red O staining of frozen sections of breast muscle on d 28 for SNPs G161C and C1376T also indicated that the BB genotype had the highest intramuscular fat content in both SNPs. In addition, correlation analysis implied the FABP1 mRNA expression level was closely related to inosinic acid (P < 0.05) and intramuscular fat content (P < 0.01). 4. The results suggested that FABP1 could be a potential candidate gene in marker-assisted selection for breeding pigeons with high-quality meat.

Impact of genotype, body weight and sex on the prenatal muscle transcriptome of Iberian pigs

Growth is dependent on genotype and diet, even at early developmental stages. In this study, we investigated the effects of genotype, sex, and body weight on the fetal muscle transcriptome of purebred Iberian and crossbred Iberian x Large White pigs sharing the same uterine environment. RNA sequencing was performed on 16 purebred and crossbred fetuses with high body weight (340±14g and 415±14g, respectively) and 16 with low body weight (246±14g and 311±14g, respectively), on gestational day 77. Genotype had the greatest effect on gene expression, with 645 genes identified as differentially expressed (DE) between purebred and crossbred animals. Functional analysis showed differential regulation of pathways involved in energy and lipid metabolism, muscle development, and tissue disorders. In purebred animals, fetal body weight was associated with 35 DE genes involved in development, lipid metabolism and adipogenesis. In crossbred animals, fetal body weight was associated with 60 DE genes involved in muscle development, viability, and immunity. Interestingly, the results suggested an interaction genotype*weight for some DE genes. Fetal sex had only a modest effect on gene expression. This study allowed the identification of genes, metabolic pathways, biological functions and regulators related to fetal genotype, weight and sex, in animals sharing the same uterine environment. Our findings contribute to a better understanding of the molecular events that influence prenatal muscle development and highlight the complex interactions affecting transcriptional regulation during development.

Single nucleotide polymorphisms in candidate genes are significantly associated with resistance to Haemonchus contortus infection in goats

BACKGROUND

Haemonchosis is a major economic problem in goat production in humid, tropical and subtropical regions. The disease is caused by an abomasal nematode, Haemonchus contortus, which is highly pathogenic in small ruminants. The aim of this study was to identifying single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) that were associated with fecal egg counts (FEC) and could be used as markers to identify resistance to H. contortus in goats.

RESULTS

Ten novel variants in the CIITA, ATP2A3, HSPA8, STAT5B, ESYT1, and SERPING1 genes were associated with FEC in goats with a nominal significance level of P < 0.05. Two missense mutation in the exon region of the caprine CIITA gene resulted in replacement of arginine with cysteine at position 9473550 (R9473550C) and aspartic acid with glutamic acid at position 9473870 (D9473870E). Chinese goat breeds had significantly higher FEC than Bangladeshi goat breeds within their respective genotypes. Polymorphism information content (PIC), effective allele number (Ne), and heterozygosity (He) were greatest for the STAT5B_197_A > G SNP locus in all goat breeds. Pairwise coefficients of linkage disequilibrium (D´, r 2) revealed complete LD (r 2 = 1) between significant SNP polymorphisms in CIITA and SERPING1 and strong LD (r 2 = 0.93 and 0.98) between polymorphisms in HSPA8 and ATP2A3, respectively. Correlation coefficient (r) between FEC and body weight (BW) was significantly positive (r = 0.56***, P < 0.001) but that between FEC and packed cell volume (PCV) was negatively significant (r = - 0.47**, P < 0.01) in the total population of goats. On the other hand, correlation coefficient (r) between BW and PCV was not significant in total population of goats. Association analysis revealed that haplotypes within ATP2A3, HSPA8, and SERPING1 were significantly associated with FEC. Quantitative real-time PCR revealed that the relative expression of mRNA was higher (P < 0.001) for resistant, compared to susceptible, groups of goats for all candidate genes except CIITA.

CONCLUSIONS

This study identified SNP markers that can potentially be used in marker-assisted selection programs to develop goat breeds that are resistant to H. contortus.

Expression analyses of candidate genes related to meat quality traits in squabs from two breeds of meat-type pigeon

In this study, meat quality traits were compared between squabs from two pigeon breeds: one Chinese indigenous breed, the Shiqi (SQ) meat-type pigeon, and an imported breed, the white king (WK) meat-type pigeon. Breed differences were detected in the content of intramuscular fat (IMF) in the breast muscle. SQ squabs had significantly higher IMF content than the WK birds. The shear force value (an objective measure of meat tenderness) of SQ birds was also relatively lower than that of the WK squabs. Further analysis of fatty acids profile revealed that SQ squabs exhibited significant advantage in the synthesis of polyunsaturated fatty acids, while WK squabs were significantly higher in the sum of monounsaturated fatty acids. Breast muscle in the SQ squabs was also significantly higher in the ratio of polyunsaturated fatty acids to saturated fatty acids, as well as the sum of omega 6 fatty acids. Variability of expression levels of functional genes in relation to fat accumulation and meat tenderness was analysed by qRT-PCR. Gene expression analyses showed that the hepatic expression of LPL (lipoprotein lipase), FABP4 (fatty acid-binding protein 4), and CAPN2 (calpain-2) were significantly higher in the SQ squabs. In the breast muscle tissue, the FABP3 (fatty acid-binding protein 3) and CAPN2mRNA abundance was significantly higher in SQ squabs. Our results suggested that these differentially expressed genes might be candidate genes used in the programmes of targeted selection for squabs with higher IMF content, tender meat, and more favourable fatty acids composition.

Association of genetic variants and expression levels of porcine FABP4 and FABP5 genes

The FABP4 and FABP5 genes, coding for fatty acid transport proteins, have long been studied as positional candidate genes for SSC4 QTL affecting fat deposition and composition traits in pigs. Polymorphisms in these genes, FABP4:g.2634_2635insC and FABP5:g.3000T>G, have previously been associated with fatness traits in an Iberian by Landrace cross (IBMAP). The aim of the present work was to evaluate the functional implication of these genetic variants. For this purpose, FABP4 and FABP5 mRNA expression levels in 114 BC1_LD animals (25% Iberian × 75% Landrace) were analyzed using real-time quantitative PCR in backfat and muscle. FABP4 gene expression in backfat, but not in muscle, was associated with FABP4:g.2634_2635insC. In contrast, FABP5:g.3000T>G was not associated with gene expression levels. An expression-based genome-wide association study highlighted the FABP4:g.2634_2635insC polymorphism as the polymorphism most associated with FABP4 gene expression in backfat. Furthermore, other genomic regions associated in trans with the mRNA expression of FABP4 in backfat and FABP5 in muscle were also identified. Finally, two putative transcription binding sites for PPARG and NR4A2 may be affected by the FABP4:g.2634_2635insC polymorphism, modifying FABP4 gene expression. Our results reinforce FABP4 as a candidate gene for fatness traits on SSC4.

Association of H-FABP gene polymorphisms with intramuscular fat content in Three-yellow chickens and Hetian-black chickens

BACKGROUND

To explore the relationship between the heart-type fatty acid binding protein (H-FABP) gene and intramuscular fat (IMF), a polymorphism of the second exon of the H-FABP gene was investigated in 60 Three-yellow chickens (TYCs) and 60 Hetian-black chickens (HTBCs).

RESULTS

The IMF contents of the cardiac, chest and leg muscles in HTBC were increased compared with TYC. Both TYC and HTBC populations exhibited Hardy-Weinberg Equilibrium (HWE) according to the χ(2) test. Three variations of the two birds were detected, namely, G939A, G982A and C1014T. HTBCs with the TT genotypes exhibit increased IMF content in the chest muscles compared with the TC genotype. Thus, the G982A site could be considered a genetic marker for selecting increased IMF content in the chest muscles of HTBC. The correlation coefficients revealed that H-FABP mRNA expression was negatively correlated with the IMF content in the cardiac, chest and leg muscles of HTBC and in the cardiac and chest muscles of TYC. The relative mRNA expression of H-FABP was reduced in the cardiac and leg muscles of HTBC compared with TYC, but this difference was not observed at the protein level, as assessed by Western blot analysis.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings offer essential data that can be useful in the breeding program of HTBC and future research exploring the role of H-FABP in IMF deposition and regulation in chickens.