亮氨酸对奶牛乳腺上皮细胞内乳脂合成相关基因和蛋白表达的影响

本试验旨在研究亮氨酸(Leu)对泌乳奶牛乳腺上皮细胞(BMECs)内乳脂合成相关基因和蛋白表达的影响,以探讨Leu对乳脂合成的影响机理。将第3代BMECs随机分为6个处理,每个处理6个重复。6个处理培养液中Leu浓度分别为0.45、0.90、1.80、2.70、3.60和7.20 mmol/L,37℃、5%CO2培养48 h后测定BMECs内甘油三酯(TG)的含量及乳脂合成相关基因和过氧化物酶体增殖物激活受体γ(PPARγ)与固醇调节元件结合蛋白(SREBP1)蛋白的相对表达量。结果显示:Leu浓度对BMECs内TG含量无显著影响(P0.05)。适宜浓度的Leu显著促进脂肪酸合成酶(FASN)和乙酰辅酶A羧化酶A(ACACA)基因的表达(P0.05),FASN基因的相对表达量以1.80~2.70 mmol/L Leu处理、ACACA基因的相对表达量以1.80~7.20 mmol/L Leu处理较高。Leu浓度显著影响BMECs内SREBP1基因及蛋白表达(P0.05),以1.80 mmol/L Leu的促进效果最好。虽然Leu显著抑制BMECs内脂肪酸结合蛋白3(FABP3)、脂蛋白脂酶(LPL)、乙酰甘油磷酸脂酰转移酶6(AGPAT6)、线粒体甘油-3-磷酸酰基转移酶(GPAM)和嗜乳脂蛋白亚家族1成员1(BTN1A1)基因的表达(P0.05),但只有高浓度(3.60~7.20 mmol/L)的Leu抑制作用较大。综合来看,Leu浓度影响BMECs乳脂合成相关基因及PPARγ和SREBP1蛋白的表达。Leu浓度为1.80~2.70 mmol/L时,对脂肪酸从头合成相关基因及调控因子SREBP1蛋白表达的促进效果较好,对TG合成及脂滴形成相关基因表达的抑制作用较小。     

Hepatic expression of FTO and fatty acid metabolic genes changes in response to lipopolysaccharide with alterations in m6A modification of relevant mRNAs in the chicken

1. The fat mass and obesity associated (FTO) gene, which encodes a demethylase of m⁶A, has been reported to respond to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and to serve as a link between inflammation and metabolic responses. The objective of this study was to determine whether LPS-induced changes in the expression of FTO and metabolic genes are associated with alterations of m⁶A in relevant mRNAs.

2. LPS challenge significantly decreased hepatic mRNA expression of carnitine palmitoyl transferase 1 (CPT1) and CPT2, which coincided with a tendency of higher triglyceride accumulation in the liver.

3. LPS significantly down-regulated the full length cFTO1, yet up-regulated the truncated cFTO4 protein in the liver nuclear extracts.

4. Nuclear protein content of cFTO4 in the liver was negatively correlated with the mRNA abundances of CPT1 (r = 0.629) and CPT2 (r = 0.622).

5. Methylated RNA immunoprecipitation analysis revealed that the m⁶A level around the translation start site of CPT1 was markably decreased in the liver of LPS-treated chickens.

6. These results indicate that LPS-induced changes in FTO protein expression are associated with alteration of mRNA m⁶A modification in chicken liver.

     

小尾寒羊前体脂肪细胞分化过程相关基因表达规律的研究

为了探究小尾寒羊脂肪细胞分化过程中相关基因的变化规律,试验采集2月龄小尾寒羊腹股沟白色脂肪组织,通过酶消化法体外分离小尾寒羊前体脂肪细胞。培养前体脂肪细胞布满细胞板后,分别用诱导Ⅰ液、诱导Ⅱ液对细胞进行诱导分化,使其成为成熟的脂肪细胞。利用油红O染色法验证成熟脂肪细胞并检测脂滴含量。分别在增殖期细胞增殖70%、90%及分化期诱导Ⅰ液处理48 h、诱导Ⅱ液处理48 h、完全培养液处理48 h时（2、4、6、8、10 d）提取细胞总RNA,反转录成cDNA。采用实时荧光定量PCR检测PPARγ、C/EBPα、LPL、SREBP1、KLF5、KLF6、FABP4、STAT5、ACSS2、IGF1、ADD1、FOXO1、ACACA、DGAT1、CPT1A基因的表达规律。结果表明,试验成功分离并诱导前体脂肪细胞变为成熟的脂肪细胞,细胞内部具有明显脂滴;实时荧光定量PCR结果表明,上述基因在细胞分化阶段具有明显波动,峰值出现的时间均不相同;C/EBPα、FOXO1基因表达峰值出现在第6天,可能在细胞分化早期发挥作用;PPARγ、LPL、SREBP1、KLF5、KLF6、FABP4、STAT5、ADD1、ACSS2基因表达峰值出现在第8天,但表达倍数与趋势均不相同;ACACA基因表达量出现上下波动;IGF1、DGAT1基因表达峰值出现在第10天;CPT1A基因表达量则一直下降;FABP4基因表达倍数显著高于其他基因。本研究全面检测了小尾寒羊前体脂肪细胞在分化过程中关键基因的表达规律,可为探究小尾寒羊脂肪分化过程分子机制、挖掘参与脂肪分化新的关键基因、提高小尾寒羊肌间脂肪含量等研究提供一定的理论参考。     

Increased fatty acid β‐oxidation as a possible mechanism for fat‐reducing effect of betaine in broilers

Two hundred and forty 1‐day‐old male Arbor Acres broiler chickens were randomly assigned to five dietary treatments with six replicates of eight chickens per replicate cage for a 42‐day feeding trial. Broiler chickens were fed a basal diet supplemented with 0 (control), 250, 500, 750 or 1000 mg/kg betaine, respectively. Growth performance was not affected by betaine. Incremental levels of betaine decreased the absolute and relative weight of abdominal fat (linear P < 0.05, quadratic P < 0.01), low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL‐C), triglyceride (TG) and total cholesterol (TC) (linear P < 0.05), and increased concentration of nonesterified fatty acid (NEFA) (linear P = 0.038, quadratic P = 0.003) in serum of broilers. Moreover, incremental levels of betaine increased linearly (P < 0.05) the proliferator‐activated receptor alpha (PPARα), the carnitine palmitoyl transferase‐I (CPT‐I) and 3‐hydroxyacyl‐coenzyme A dehydrogenase (HADH) messenger RNA (mRNA) expression, but decreased linearly (P < 0.05) the fatty acid synthase (FAS) and 3‐hydroxyl‐3‐methylglutaryl‐CoA (HMGR) mRNA expression in liver of broilers. In conclusion, this study indicated that betaine supplementation did not affect growth performance of broilers, but was effective in reducing abdominal fat deposition in a dose‐dependent manner, which was probably caused by combinations of a decrease in fatty acid synthesis and an increase in β‐oxidation.     

Antibiotics promote abdominal fat accumulation in broilers

Antibiotics stimulate the growth of animals but result in drug residues and bacterial resistance. In this study, the negative effect of antibiotics on abdominal fat deposition was evaluated in broilers. The results showed that adding both chlortetracycline (50 g/1,000 kg) and tylosin (50 g/1,000 kg) significantly increased abdominal fat weight, abdominal fat percentage (p < .05), and triglyceride and cholesterol levels (p < .05) in blood. Also, both products synchronously stimulated intestinal absorption and synthesis of liver fat. The expression levels of the peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor γ (PPARγ), diacylgycerol acyltransferase 2 (DGAT2), lipoprotein lipase (LPL), and fatty acid‐binding protein (FABP4) genes in abdominal fat tissue significantly increased (p < .05 or 0.01) when antibiotics were added to the feed. However, no significant difference was found in expression of the fatty acid synthesis (FAS) or acetyl CoA carboxylase (ACC) genes. Further in vitro study results revealed that antibiotics had no effect on fat content or the related gene expression levels in preadipocytes. In summary, the antibiotics induced fat deposition in adipose tissues by activating extracellular absorption of fatty acids from intestinal absorption and synthesis of liver fat. However, it shows no direct regulation by adipose tissue.     

SIRT1/FoxO1通路对奶山羊乳腺上皮细胞脂质合成的影响

为研究SIRT1/FoxO1通路在奶山羊乳腺脂质合成中的作用,本实验采用0(对照)、50、100、150μmol/L的SIRT1激动剂(RES)处理奶山羊乳腺上皮细胞,qRT-PCR检测脂质代谢相关基因的表达,检测细胞中甘油三酯含量,油红O染色法观察脂滴的积累情况。结果表明:100μmol/L RES处理组的SIRT1和FoxO1基因的相对mRNA表达量高于对照组(P<0.05),乳脂关键调控因子SREBP1和PPARγ表达量下降(P<0.05);SIRT1/FoxO1通路激活后,脂肪酸合酶FASN(P<0.01)、脂肪酸去饱和酶SCD1(P<0.01)和脂肪酸转运酶CD36(P<0.05)表达量均下降;而脂解相关基因HSL和ATGL的表达上调(P<0.05)。SIRT1/FoxO1激活后,细胞中甘油三酯含量显著降低(P<0.05),脂滴积累减少。综上可知,SIRT1/FoxO1通路负调控奶山羊乳腺上皮细胞脂质合成,为改善羊奶营养价值和风味提供基础资料。     

染料木黄酮对3T3-L1细胞增殖与分化的影响

试验旨在研究染料木黄酮对3T3-L1细胞增殖与分化的影响以及对分化过程中相关基因表达的影响。以浓度为0、10、50、100、200μmol/L的染料木黄酮处理细胞,测定不同天数3T3-L1细胞相对增殖量、细胞合成脂肪量以及第8天与脂肪合成有关的基因PPARγ、FASN、LPL、ACC、HSL的相对表达量。结果表明：在增殖方面,染料木黄酮能显著抑制3T3-L1前脂肪细胞的增殖（P〈0.05）。随着染料木黄酮浓度的增加,细胞增殖的抑制作用越强。当浓度为200μmol/L时,细胞停止增殖。在分化方面,染料木黄酮能显著减少3T3-L1前脂肪细胞分化合成脂肪的量（P〈0.05）。随着染料木黄酮浓度的增加,细胞分化合成脂肪量减少。染料木黄酮能显著减少3T3-L1细胞与脂肪合成有关的基因PPARγ、FASN、LPL、ACC、HSL的相对表达量（P〈0.05）。在浓度为50μmol/L时,PPARγ基因相对表达量最低;在浓度为200μmol/L时,FASN基因相对表达量最低;在浓度为10μmol/L时,LPL基因相对表达量最低;在浓度为200μmol/L时,ACC基因相对表达量最低;在浓度为10μmol/L时,HSL基因相对表达量最低。分析推测,染料木黄酮通过抑制与脂肪合成相关基因的表达来减少脂肪合成量。     

蛋氨酸对奶牛乳腺上皮细胞内乳脂合成相关基因和蛋白表达的影响

本试验旨在研究蛋氨酸(Met)对奶牛乳腺上皮细胞(BMECs)内乳脂合成相关基因和蛋白表达的影响,以探讨Met对乳脂合成的影响机理。将第3代BMECs随机分为6个处理(每个处理6个重复),培养液中Met浓度分别为0.13、0.26、0.39、0.52、0.65和0.78 mmol/L。在37℃、5%CO2条件下培养48 h后测定BMECs内甘油三酯(TG)的含量及乳脂合成相关基因和过氧化物酶体增殖物激活受体γ(PPARγ)与固醇调节元件结合蛋白1(SREBP1)蛋白的相对表达量。结果显示:Met浓度对BMECs内TG含量无显著影响(P0.05)。0.52~0.78 mmol/L Met处理BMECs内脂肪酸结合蛋白3(FABP3)、乙酰辅酶A羧化酶A(ACACA)和PPARγ基因的相对表达量均显著高于其他处理(P0.05)。BMECs内脂蛋白脂酶(LPL)基因的相对表达量以0.26~0.39 mmol/L Met处理较高,显著高于0.65~0.78 mmol/L Met处理(P0.05)。脂肪酸合成酶(FASN)基因的相对表达量以0.39~0.52 mmol/L Met处理较高,且0.52 mmol/L Met处理显著高于0.13~0.26 mmol/L和0.65~0.78 mmol/L Met处理(P0.05)。Met浓度可显著影响SREBP1和乙酰甘油磷酸脂酰转移酶6(AGPAT6)基因及SREBP1和PPARγ蛋白的表达(P0.05),均以0.26 mmol/L Met处理的相对表达量最高。结果表明,Met浓度影响BMECs内脂肪酸摄取、从头合成的基因的表达及乳脂合成调控因子PPARγ和SREBP1的基因和蛋白的表达,Met浓度为0.26~0.52 mmol/L时对BMECs内脂肪酸从头合成及长链脂肪酸摄取的促进效果较好。     

Functional microRNA screening for dietary vitamin E regulation of abdominal fat deposition in broilers

ABSTRACT

1. Functional microRNA (miRNA) screening for abdominal fat tissue with different dietary vitamin E (VE) levels was performed to reveal miRNAs, genes and metabolic pathways involved in abdominal fat deposition in broilers.

2. A total of 240, one-day-old healthy female chicks were randomly allocated into five dietary treatments containing either 0, 20, 50, 75 or 100 IU DL-α-tocopherol acetate. The sequencing of miRNAs from abdominal fat tissues was performed. The target genes of miRNAs were predicted and enrichment analysis for these genes was performed. Diets supplemented with 50 IU VE significantly diminished abdominal fat deposition in broilers at day 35 of age.

3. A total of 29 miRNAs were differentially expressed between control and 50 IU VE treatment. Ten of the 23 target genes were enriched in four signalling pathways: tight junction, SNARE interactions in vesicular transport, regulation of autophagy and proteasome.

4. This study identified miRNA, target genes and pathways in dietary VE treatment for broilers, providing new insights into the miRNA regulation of abdominal fat deposition in broilers.     

Expression of genes related to liver fatty acid metabolism in fat‐tailed and thin‐tailed lambs during negative and positive energy balances

Fat‐tailed sheep breeds can tolerate periods of negative energy balance without suffering from elevated concentration of plasma non‐esterified fatty acid (NEFA). This ability was attributed to unique metabolism of fat‐tailed adipose depot, whereas role of liver as an influential organ in fatty acid metabolism was not evaluated yet. Hence, current study was conducted to evaluate the effects of negative and positive energy balances on liver expression of genes related to fatty acid metabolism in fat‐tailed and thin‐tailed lambs. Lambs experienced negative (21 days) and positive (21 days) energy balances and were slaughtered at the beginning and end of negative energy balance and at the end of positive energy balance. Real‐time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT‐Q‐PCR) was conducted to evaluate changes in gene expression. Expression of diglyceride acyltransferase 1 (DGAT1), 3‐hydroxy‐3‐methylglutaryl‐CoA synthase 2 (HMGCS2) and apolipoprotein B (APOB) was not affected by genotype, energy balance and their interaction. Expression of carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1 (CPT1) was significantly higher in liver of fat‐tailed comparing to thin‐tailed lambs regardless of energy balance (p < 0.02). Catalase mRNA abundance was increased in response to negative energy balance (p < 0.02), and severity of this enhancement was higher in fat‐tailed lambs (p < 0.06). Expression of CPT1 was positively correlated with expression of HMGCS2 in both fat‐tailed (p < 0.05) and thin‐tailed lambs (p < 0.002); however, the correlation was weaker in fat‐tailed lambs (0.72 vs. 0.57, respectively, for thin‐tailed and fat‐tailed lambs). There was a positive correlation between DGAT1 and APOB genes expression in fat‐tailed lambs (0.94; p < 0.001), whereas this correlation was not observed in thin‐tailed lambs. Results demonstrate that liver of fat‐tailed lambs has higher capacity for metabolism of mobilized NEFA exposed to liver during negative energy balance.     

Expression of APOB,ADFP and FATP1 and their correlation with fat deposition in Yunnan’s top six famous chicken breeds

ABSTRACT

1. Adipose differentiation related protein (ADFP), fatty acid transport protein 1 (FATP1) and apolipoprotein B (APOB) are suspected to play an important role in determining intramuscular fat and in overall meat quality.

2. Yunnan’s top six famous chicken breeds (the Daweishan Mini, Yanjin Black-bone, Chahua, Wuding, Wuliangshan Black-bone and Piao chicken) are known for the high quality of their meat, but little is known about their expression of these three genes.

3. The present study aimed to examine the ADFP, FATP1 and APOB genes in different tissues of these six breeds at different development stages. The subcutaneous fat from the back midline and front, abdominal fat, liver and muscle tissue was sampled at 28, 49, 70, 91 and 112 days. The expression of ADFP, FATP1 and APOB was measured by real-time PCR.

4. The results showed that the expression of the three genes differed depending on age, tissue types and breeds. However, the expression of the three genes correlated with fat traits. In conclusion, the expression of the ADFP, FATP1 and APOB genes is associated with the fat traits of Yunnan’s top six chicken breeds. These results could help with molecular marker screening and marker-assisted breeding to improve the quality of poultry for meat production.     

The effect of dietary coenzyme Q10 on plasma metabolites and hepatic gene expression in broiler breeder hens

ABSTRACT

1. This study was performed to evaluate the effects of dietary supplementation of coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) on laying rate, body weight, plasma metabolites and some liver gene expression in broiler breeder hens.

2. A total of 128 broiler breeder hens (Arbor Acres Plus, 47 weeks of age) were randomly distributed to four dietary groups supplemented with different levels of CoQ10 (0, 300, 600 or 900 mg/kg diet) with four replicates of eight hens each. During 47–54 weeks of age, laying rate, egg mass and body weight were recorded weekly. To assay plasma biochemical indicators, blood samples were collected at 54 weeks of age. At the end of the experiment, for evaluating the abdominal fat weight, liver weight and expression of the adiponectin and proliferator-activated receptor-α (PPAR-α) genes in the liver, eight hens per treatment were selected, weighed and humanely killed by decapitation.

3. Dietary supplementation of CoQ10 linearly decreased abdominal fat weight, alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) activities by increased levels of CoQ10. The plasma levels of glucose, cholesterol and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity were quadratically decreased by increased levels of CoQ10. The best plasma levels of glucose, cholesterol and ALP activity were estimated at 562.5, 633.3 and 517.8 mg CoQ10/kg diet, respectively. Adiponectin and PPARα gene expression exhibited a linear increased by increased levels of CoQ10.

4. In conclusion, addition of CoQ10 to the diet influenced lipid metabolism and expression of the adiponectin and PPAR-α genes, which might be partially due to the improvement in mitochondrial metabolism and energy production. However, further studies are necessary to determine the effects of CoQ10 on these indicators in broiler breeder hens during ageing.     

Hepatic lipolysis in broiler chickens with different fat deposition during embryonic development

The aim of this study was to explore the hepatic lipolysis in broiler chickens with different fat deposition during embryonic development. The mRNA expression of CPT-1 (carmitine palmtoyltransferase-1), PPARα (peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha) and LPL (lipoprotein lipase) genes were determined using Real time RT-PCR. The start of incubation was called day 1 (E1) and after hatching called day 1 (H1). On incubation days 9 (E9), 14 (E14) and 19 (E19) as well as at hatching (H1), samples of liver were collected. Blood samples were obtained during days 14 (E14) and 19 (E19) of embryonic development and at hatching. This study showed that serum TG (triglycerol) decreased and TC (total cholesterol) and NEFA (non-estered fatty acid) increased during embryonic development. The expression of CPT-1, PPARα and LPL genes exhibited different developmental changes. For example, little LPL gene was expressed at hatching and PPARα gene expression peaked before hatching. However, CPT-1 gene exhibited no significance during the embryonic development. Our results showed that expression of these genes in Arbor Acres (AA) broilers was significantly higher than that in San Huang (SH) broilers. Therefore, this study suggested that hepatic lipolysis in broiler chickens exhibited developmental changes during embryogenesis and breed difference which may be one of the factors in the fat deposition difference between fat line and lean line broilers during embryonic development.     

Effects of epigallocatechin gallate on lipid metabolism and its underlying molecular mechanism in broiler chickens

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) on fat metabolism and to establish the molecular mechanism of these effects in broilers. Seventy‐two 28‐day‐old male Ross 308 broiler chickens were divided into three groups with different levels of EGCG supplementation for 4 weeks: normal control (NC) group, L‐EGCG (a low‐level supplement of EGCG, 40 mg/kg body weight daily) and H‐EGCG (a high‐level supplement of EGCG, 80 mg/kg body weight daily). After 4 weeks of oral administration, EGCG significantly reduced the level of abdominal fat deposition in broilers. The serum triglycerides and low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol of chickens in H‐EGCG group were also significantly decreased compared with the NC group, and the high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol was notably increased at the same time. Moreover, the vital role of the liver and abdominal adipose tissue in lipid metabolism of poultry animals was examined through gene expression and enzyme activities related to fat anabolism and catabolism in these organs. Our data show that EGCG supplementation for 2 weeks significantly downregulated the expression of fatty acid synthesis and fat deposition‐related genes, and upregulated the expression of genes involved in fatty acid β‐oxidation and lipolysis genes. Simultaneously, the activities of hepatic fatty acid synthesis enzymes (fatty acid synthase and acetyl CoA carboxylase) were significantly decreased, and the activity of carnitine palmitoyl transferase‐1 was notably elevated. The results suggest that EGCG could alleviate fat deposition in broilers through inhibiting fat anabolism and stimulating lipid catabolism in broilers.     

Effects of dietary concentrations of methionine on growth performance and oxidative status of broiler chickens with different hatching weight

1. A study was conducted to evaluate the effects of two hatching weight (HW) levels and two dietary concentrations of methionine on the growth performance and oxidative status of broilers. Male Arbor Acres chickens were divided into two groups on their HW (low and high HW, H and L). Each HW group was then distributed into two subgroups, of similar HW, receiving either low or high dietary concentrations of methionine (4.9 g methionine/kg, LM; 5.9 g methionine/kg, HM). Thus, all day-old birds were distributed into 4 treatments (H-LM, H-HM, L-LM, L-HM) × 6 replicates × 10 birds for 21 d.

2. Broilers with high HW were heavier than those with low HW during the 21 d assay, which appeared to result from increased body weight gain rather than improved feed conversion efficiency. A higher dietary concentration of methionine (5.9 g/kg) improved growth performance of broilers with low HW in terms of body weight gain and feed conversion ratio.

3. Broilers with different HW had similar antioxidant status both in serum and liver.

4. Broilers given a diet containing 5.9 g/kg methionine had enhanced serum superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and decreased hepatic malondialdehyde (MDA) content at day 7.

5. Broilers given a diet containing 5.9 g/kg methionine had a higher hepatic reduced glutathione (GSH):glutathione disulphide (GSSG) ratio than those given a diet containing 4.9 g/kg methionine at day 21. High dietary methionine concentration reduced hepatic GSH content and glutathione peroxidase (GPX) activity of broilers with high HW at day 7 and at day 21, respectively, but increased hepatic GSH content of broilers with low HW at day 7.

6. Although broilers with different HW had similar oxidative status as indicated by several parameters in blood and liver, HW can have positive effects on the subsequent growth performance of broilers, and a higher dietary methionine concentration (5.9 g/kg) can improve growth performance and antioxidant status in broilers exhibiting low HW.     

Tissue-specific downregulation of the adiponectin “system”: possible implications for fat accumulation tendency in the pig

Adiponectin's beneficial effects are mediated by the AdipoR1 and AdipoR2 receptors (AdipoRs). The pig is a good model to study complex disorders such as obesity. We analyzed the expression of adiponectin, AdipoRs and some key molecules of energy metabolism (AMP-activated protein kinase α [AMPKα], p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase [p38 MAPK], and PPARα) in 2 pig breeds that displayed an opposite genetic behavior for energy metabolism: Casertana (CE), a fat-type animal, and Large White (LW), a lean-type animal. Muscle, liver, visceral and subcutaneous adipose tissues, and brain tissues were examined. The AdipoRs cDNA sequences were identical in the 2 breeds. AdipoRs mRNA expression, measured in all tissues, was significantly lower only in the 2 adipose tissues of CE pigs (P < 0.05). The muscle expression of AdipoRs, AMPKα, p38 MAPK, and PPARα was lower in CE than in LW animals (P < 0.01, P < 0.05, P < 0.01, P < 0.01, respectively). In liver, no molecule differed between breeds. The expression of both AdipoRs in visceral and subcutaneous adipose tissues was lower in CE pigs (P < 0.01). In brain, AdipoR1 and AMPKα expression was lower in CE pigs (P < 0.01), whereas AdipoR2 tended to be lower in CE than LW pigs (P = 0.05). In conclusion, our results suggest that tissue-specific downregulation of Adiponectin, AdipoRs, and of the key molecules of energy metabolism may be associated with the tendency of CE pigs to accumulate fat.     

The influence of sex and gonadectomy on hepatic and brain fatty acid composition,lipogenesis and β‐oxidation

The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of sex and castration of rats on liver and brain fatty acid profile and liver mRNA expression of genes involved in lipogenesis and β‐oxidation. Castration significantly increased body weight and liver index and decreased serum triglyceride content in the female rats. The fatty acid composition of the liver tissue was influenced by sex and castration. Male rats had higher content of C16:0, C18:1n7, C18:2n6 and C22:5n3, while female rats had higher content of C18:0, C20:4n6 and C22:6n3. Castration of male rats decreased differences caused by sex for C18:2n6, C20:4n6 and C22:6n3. Values for C16:1n7 were higher in the castrated male rats in comparison with all other groups. Liver phospholipids showed a distribution of fatty acids similar to the total lipids. Brain total lipids and phospholipids were not influenced by sex or castration. Castration increased ?6D gene expression in both the sexes, while ?5D and ?9D increased in females and males respectively. Gonadectomy increased expression of the FASN gene in the females and decreased CPT1 and ACOX1 gene expression in the liver tissue of male rats. The observed results of lipid peroxidation, measured by TBARS, were the lowest in the intact females in comparison with all other groups. In conclusion, sex strongly influences both SFA and PUFA in liver tissue, and castration decreases these differences only for PUFA. Castration also influences the expression of the genes involved in lipid metabolism differently in male and female rats, with an increase in lipogenic genes in female rats and a decrease in key genes for mitochondrial and peroxisomal β‐oxidation in male rats.