丙酮酸、肌酸和丙酮酸肌酸的生物学功能及其在畜禽生产中的应用

丙酮酸肌酸（CrPyr）是丙酮酸和肌酸的复合物，既有促进机体生长发育、调节蛋白质和脂质代谢的作用，又弥补了丙酮酸易氧化、肌酸难溶于水的特性。本文介绍了丙酮酸、肌酸和CrPyr的生物学功能，以及在畜禽上的应用研究，以期为CrPyr在畜禽生产上的应用提供参考。     

In ovo feeding of creatine pyruvate modulates growth performance,energy reserves and mRNA expression levels of gluconeogenesis and glycogenesis enzymes in liver of embryos and neonatal broilers

The effects of in ovo feeding (IOF) of creatine pyruvate (CrPyr) on the growth performance, energy reserves and mRNA expression levels of gluconeogenesis and glycogenesis enzymes in liver of late‐term embryos and neonatal broilers were investigated. After candling on 16 day of incubation, a total of 960 eggs were randomly assigned to three treatments: (i) non‐injected control, (ii) saline group injected with 0.6 ml of 0.75% physiological saline and (iii) Creatine pyruvate group injected with 0.6 ml of physiological saline containing 12 mg CrPyr/egg. After hatching, 120 male chicks with average body weight (BW) were randomly allocated into each treatment group for a 7‐day feeding trial. The results showed that broilers subjected to CrPyr treatment had higher BW than those of the control and saline groups on 1, 3 and 7 day post‐hatch, as well as the yolk sac weight on 19 day of incubation (19 E), the day of hatch and 3 day post‐hatch (p < .05). Compared with the control and saline groups, IOF of CrPyr increased the plasma creatine concentration on the day of hatch, and the plasma pyruvate concentration on the day of hatch and 3 day post‐hatch (p < .05). Moreover, IOF of CrPyr increased the liver pyruvate and glucose concentrations on 19 E and the day of hatch, and the liver glycogen concentration during the experiment (p < .05). Broilers in the CrPyr group showed increased mRNA expression levels of pyruvate carboxylase (PC), phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK) and glycogen synthase 2 (GYS2) on 19 E and the day of hatch (p < .05). These results indicated that IOF of CrPyr increased energy reserves in liver of embryos and neonatal broilers possibly through upregulating the mRNA expression levels of PC, PEPCK and GYS2, which could benefit the increase of BW in broilers on 7 day post‐hatch.     

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。     

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。     

胆碱对奶牛肝脏脂肪代谢的调控作用及机制

围产期奶牛脂肪肝等营养代谢性疾病的防治和调控是提高生产性能和效益的关键.胆碱作为一种动物生长发育必需的营养素,在奶牛肝脏脂肪代谢调控方面发挥着重要的作用.饲粮中适当补充胆碱可以有效降低肝脏脂肪含量和预防脂肪肝,并维持肝脏的正常生理功能.胆碱主要通过上调脂肪分解和下调脂肪生成途径的基因和蛋白的表达水平来调节脂肪代谢,从而减少脂肪沉积,缓解脂肪肝.本研究在已有文献报道基础上,阐述了胆碱的特性和功能,围绕胆碱对动物肝脏脂肪代谢的调节作用及机制进行了综述,旨在为奶牛维持机体健康、提高反刍动物生产性能提供理论依据.     

日粮蛋白质水平对乌金猪肝脏组织脂类代谢相关基因表达的影响

为探讨日粮蛋白质水平对乌金猪肝脏组织脂类代谢相关基因表达的影响,试验选取体重约15 kg的乌金猪54头,随机分为3组,每组18头,为低、中和高蛋白质组,其在15～30、30～60及60～100 kg生长阶段的蛋白质水平分别为14%、12%、10%,16%、14%、12%和18%、16%、14%。猪在体重为30、60和100 kg时屠宰,取其肝脏组织,Real-time PCR定量检测脂类代谢相关基因的表达水平。结果显示,在30、60和100 kg时,乌金猪肝脏组织中ACC、FAS、SREBP-1C基因的表达水平均随着蛋白质水平的升高而降低;CPT-Ⅰ和PPARα基因的表达水平则随着蛋白质水平的升高而升高。由此表明,日粮高蛋白质水平显著降低肝脏脂肪酸合成代谢基因(ACC、FAS和SREBP-1C)的表达(P<0.05),提高脂肪酸分解代谢基因(CPT-Ⅰ和PPARα)的表达水平(P<0.05);脂肪酸合成减少,且被氧化的量增加,两者共同作用导致用于合成甘油三酯(TG)的脂肪酸含量降低,从而减少了从肝脏组织被运输到各个组织的TG含量,使机体沉积TG的能力降低。     

脂蛋白脂酶研究进展

脂蛋白脂酶(LPL)是动物组织中脂肪沉积的关键酶,是甘油三酯降解为甘油和游离脂肪酸(FFA)反应的限速酶,在脂质代谢和转运过程中起着重要作用。脂蛋白脂酶基因的表达具有特异性,营养等因素能够影响动物LPL基因的表达和LPL活性。论文综述了LPL的生物学功能、LPL在脂肪沉积中的作用及其在单胃动物和反刍动物中的研究现状。     

Proteomic analysis to unravel the effect of heat stress on gene expression and milk synthesis in bovine mammary epithelial cells

Heat stress can play a negative effect on milk yield and composition of dairy cattle, leading to immeasurable economic loss. The basic components of the mammary gland are the alveoli; these alveolar mammary epithelial cells reflect the milk producing ability of dairy cows. In this study, we exposed bovine mammary epithelial cells to heat stress and compared them to a control group using isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantitation combined with liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry. Compared with a control group, 104 differentially elevated proteins (>1.3‐fold) and 167 decreased proteins (<0.77‐fold) were identified in the heat treatment group. Gene Ontology analysis identified a majority of the differentially expressed proteins are associated in cell‐substrate junction assembly, catabolic processes and metabolic processes. Some of these significantly regulated proteins were related to the synthesis and secretion of milk, such as milk protein and fat. This finding was further supported by the results obtained from the reduced β‐casein expression through the system of plasminogen activator – plasminogen – plasmin and decreased fatty acid synthase could partly explain why milk fat synthesis ability of dairy cows decreased under heat stress. Our results highlight the effects of heat stress on synthesis of milk protein and fat, thus providing additional clues for further studies of heat stress on dairy milk production.     

脂肪酸合成酶基因的研究进展

在脂肪酸的合成过程中,脂肪酸合成酶(fatty acid synthase,FAS)是一种多功能的复合酶,是合成脂肪酸的关键酶,因此,动物体内脂肪酸合成酶蛋白的多寡、活性的高低对动物脂肪酸的合成及体脂的沉积具有重要的意义。近年来,国内外大量的研究报道了脂肪酸合成酶对脂肪合成、代谢的调控。作者将从脂肪酸合成酶基因结构特征,其与能量代谢及体脂沉积的关系,以及日粮养分与激素对脂肪酸合成酶基因的表达调控研究进行综述。     

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.     

Proteomics analysis of preadipocytes between fat and lean broilers

ABSTRACT

1. Reducing excessive chicken body fat deposition is a main goal of the poultry industry. Preadipocytes are important in adipose tissue growth and development.

2. To discover proteins related to chicken fat deposition, two-dimensional fluorescence difference gel electrophoresis (2-D DIGE) was used to identify differentially expressed proteins in preadipocytes derived from Northeast Agricultural University broiler lines divergently selected for abdominal fat content (NEAUHLF).

3. A total of 46 differentially expressed protein spots were found in the preadipocytes between fat and lean broilers. Matrix-assisted laser desorption-ionisation time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS) analysis showed the protein spots corresponded to 33 different proteins. The proteins were mainly related to biological oxidation, cell proliferation, cytoskeleton, lipid metabolism, molecular chaperone, protein synthesis and signal transduction.

4. From the perspective of protein expression, these results lay a foundation for further study of the genetic mechanism of broiler adipose tissue growth and development.     

金华猪回肠菌群结构和脂肪酸结合蛋白发育性变化与脂肪沉积的相关性研究

本试验旨在研究金华猪回肠菌群结构和脂肪酸结合蛋白发育性变化及其与脂肪沉积的相关性.试验分别选取45(D45)、90(D90)、150(D150)和270(D270)日龄体重相近的健康金华猪各4头,测定其体重和背膘厚;并采集回肠黏膜及其内容物,通过荧光定量PCR测定回肠黏膜中脂肪酸结合蛋白基因的表达,采用基于16S rR...     

Expression of fat deposition and fat removal genes is associated with intramuscular fat content in longissimus dorsi muscle of Korean cattle steers

Intramuscular fat (IMF) in cattle is an important component of traits that influence meat quality. We measured carcass characteristics and gene expression in Korean steers to clarify the molecular mechanism(s) underlying IMF deposition in LM tissue by determining the correlation between IMF content and gene expression abundance and by developing models to predict IMF content using gene expression abundance. The deposition of IMF is determined by a balance between fat deposition and fat removal in the LM. We measured mRNA abundance of lipid metabolic genes including lipogenesis [acetyl CoA carboxylase (ACC), fatty acid synthase (FASN)], fatty lipid uptake [lipoprotein lipase (LPL), fatty acid translocase (CD36), fatty acid transport protein 1 (FATP1)], fatty acid esterification [glycerol-3-phosphate acyltransferase 1 (GPAT1), acylglycerol phosphate acyltransferase 1 (AGPAT1), diacylglycerol acyltransferase 1 (DGAT1), DGAT2], lipolysis [adipose triglyceride lipase (ATGL), hormone-sensitive lipase (HSL), monoglyceride lipase (MGL)], and fatty acid oxidation [carnitine palmitoyl transferase 1B, very long-chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase (VLCAD), medium-chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase (MCAD)] in the LM. The mRNA abundance of the GPAT1 gene showed the greatest correlation (r = 0.74; P < 0.001) with IMF content among 9 fat deposition genes. The gene expression abundance of other fat deposition genes including ACC, FASN, LPL, CD36, FATP1, AGPAT1, DGAT1, and DGAT2 also exhibited significant positive correlations (P < 0.05) with IMF content in the LM. Conversely, ATGL mRNA abundance showed the greatest negative correlation (r = -0.68; P < 0.001) with IMF content in the LM among 6 fat removal genes. The expression of other fat removal genes including MGL, VLCAD, and MCAD showed significant negative correlations (P < 0.05) with IMF content. Our findings show that the combined effects of increases in lipogenesis, fatty acid uptake, fatty acid esterification, and of decreases in lipolysis and fatty acid oxidation contribute to increasing IMF deposition in Korean steers. The multiple regression analysis revealed that the mRNA abundance of the GPAT1 gene in the LM was the first major variable predicting IMF content (54%) among 15 lipid metabolic genes. The second was mRNA abundance of ATGL (11%). In conclusion, these results suggest that GPAT1 and ATGL genes could be used as genetic markers to predict IMF deposition in the LM.     

阿魏酸对ob/ob小鼠脂肪沉积及腹脂脂肪酸组成的影响

本试验旨在研究阿魏酸对ob/ob小鼠脂肪沉积和腹脂脂肪酸组成的影响。选取5周龄的雄性ob/ob小鼠30只,随机分为3组(n=10),分别饲喂在基础饲粮中添加0(对照组)、0.25%和0.50%阿魏酸的试验饲粮,试验期9周。结果表明:与对照组相比,饲粮中添加0.25%和0.50%的阿魏酸显著降低了ob/ob小鼠的总增重、腹脂率(P0.05),显著降低了血清甘油三酯及肝脏甘油三酯和总胆固醇水平(P0.05),减少了肝脏脂滴积累,显著降低了腹脂中棕榈油酸和油酸的含量(P0.05),显著降低了腹脂中棕榈油酸/棕榈酸和油酸/硬脂酸(P0.05)。由此得出,阿魏酸可以抑制ob/ob小鼠的脂肪沉积,改善其腹脂脂肪酸组成,减重降脂效果明显。     

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.     

Cytochrome c upregulation during capacitation and spontaneous acrosome reaction determines the fate of pig sperm cells: linking proteome analysis

To identify the mechanisms underlying capacitation, we undertook a high-resolution differential proteomic analysis of pig sperm cells. Two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and subsequent MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry analyses led to identification of 56 differentially expressed proteins. After induction of capacitation in vitro, the well-established markers of the capacitation (lactadherin P47, acrosomal protein SP-10 precursor, prohibitin, proteasomes, DJ-1 protein and arylsulfatase-A) and TCA cycle proteins (isocitrate dehydrogenase, malate dehydrogenase and pyruvate dehydrogenase) were identified. During induction, cytochrome c expression via the p53 pathway increased, however apoptotic executors, such as caspase-3, decreased significantly. Therefore, we tested the hypothesis that cytochrome c upregulation in spermatozoa is capable of activating tyrosine phosphorylation for capacitation, rather than apoptosis. Exposure of sperm cells to soluble Na2CrO4 [Cr (VI)], which induces cytochrome c upregulation, caused a dose- and time-dependent increase in tyrosine phosphorylation of sperm proteins in non-capacitating medium. In contrast, supplementation of cyclosporin A, which blocks cytochrome c upregulation, inhibited tyrosine phosphorylation of sperm proteins. Furthermore, spermatozoa in capacitation medium or non-capacitation media supplemented with soluble Cr (VI) showed similar levels of capacitation. These findings indicate that differential expression of many of these proteins has previously been unrecognized in sperm cells incubated in capacitation medium also suggest that a gradual increase of cytochrome c during incubation to induce capacitation determines sperm cell fate, i.e., apoptosis or further development for fertilization.     

The response of gene expression associated with intramuscular fat deposition in the longissimus dorsi muscle of Simmental × Yellow breed cattle to different energy levels of diets

This study was designed to estimate dietary energy level on intramuscular fat (IMF) deposition in Simmental × Yellow breed cattle. Results showed that ultimate weight and average daily gain in high and medium energy groups were significantly higher than low‐energy group, yet feed conversion ratio was significantly lower. IMF content was significantly increased by dietary energy increasing, whereas longissimus muscle shear force significantly decreased. Serum‐free fatty acids, triglycerides and glucose significantly increased by dietary energy increasing, whereas growth hormone (GH) significantly decreased. Enzyme activities of lipoprotein lipase (LPL), fatty acid synthase (FAS), and acetyl‐CoA carboxylase (ACC) significantly increased by dietary energy increasing, whereas hormone‐sensitive lipase (HSL) and carnitine palmitoyltransferase‐1 (CPT‐1) significantly diminished. Peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor γ, sterol regulatory element‐binding protein 1, stearoyl‐CoA desaturase, adipocyte‐fatty acid‐binding proteins, ACC, LPL, and FAS gene or protein expression significantly increased by dietary energy increasing, whereas HSL, CPT‐1, and GH gene or protein expression significantly decreased. These results indicated that high dietary energy promoting IMF deposition is mainly by downregulating pituitary GH gene expression, decreasing serum GH concentration, increasing lipogenic genes levels of mRNA, enzyme activities and protein expression, and decreasing lipolytic genes levels of mRNA, enzyme activities, and protein expression.     

饲粮添加锰对3~4月龄獭兔脂肪沉积和脂肪组织脂质代谢的影响

本试验旨在研究饲粮添加锰对生长獭兔脂肪组织脂质代谢的影响。选用初始体重相近、健康状况良好的3月龄獭兔200只,随机分为5组(每组40个重复,每个重复1只),分别饲喂在基础饲粮中添加0(对照)、5、10、20、40 mg/kg锰(以硫酸锰的形式)的试验饲粮。预试期7 d,正试期29 d。结果表明:1)与对照组相比,饲粮中添加10~20 mg/kg锰显著降低了肩胛脂肪沉积率(P<0.05),饲粮中添加5~40 mg/kg锰显著降低了胃周脂肪沉积率(P<0.05)。饲粮中锰添加水平对肾周脂肪沉积率没有显著影响(P>0.05)。2)饲粮中锰添加水平对肉碱脂酰转移酶2(CPT2)、激素敏感脂酶(HSL)和过氧化物酶体增殖物激活受体β(PPARβ)基因的表达量没有显著影响(P>0.05)。与对照组相比,饲粮中添加20~40 mg/kg锰显著降低了脂肪酸合成酶(FAS)基因的表达量(P<0.05);饲粮中添加20~40 mg/kg锰显著降低了乙酰辅酶A羧化酶(ACC)基因的表达量(P<0.05);饲粮中添加10~40 mg/kg锰显著提高了肉碱脂酰转移酶1(CPT1)基因的表达量(P<0.05);饲粮中添加10~20 mg/kg锰显著提高过氧化物酶体增殖物激活受体α(PPARα)基因的表达量(P<0.05)。综上所述,饲粮中添加锰影响了3~4月龄獭兔的脂肪沉积和脂肪组织脂质代谢,锰添加水平为20 mg/kg时,可以有效促进脂肪组织的氧化分解,抑制脂肪组织的合成,并能降低体脂肪的沉积率。     

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.     

Adiponectin‐impaired adipocyte differentiation negatively regulates fat deposition in chicken

Adiponectin is a protein hormone secreted exclusively by adipocytes that plays an important role in the modulation of glucose and lipid metabolism. To investigate the effect of adiponectin on lipid metabolism in chicken, rosiglitazone (agonist of adiponectin) and dexamethasone (inhibitor of adiponectin) were used to treat 23‐day‐old broilers in vivo. To verify the functionality of adiponectin on fat deposition, chicken pre‐adipocytes were cultured in the medium containing 10 μg/ml adiponectin. Serum adiponectin and lipids and fat distribution were analysed. Oil Red O staining was used to determine lipid deposition in adipocytes. The expression levels of adiponectin, adiponectin receptors (AdipoR) and lipid metabolism–related genes in different tissues and pre‐adipocytes were measured using real‐time PCR, and the abundance of lipid metabolism–related proteins was measured by Western blot. Rosiglitazone increased serum adiponectin concentration and the expression levels of adiponectin and adiponectin receptor 1 (AdipoR1) in tissues and significantly decreased levels of serum lipids and fat deposition. Rosiglitazone significantly increased the expression levels of adipose triglyceride lipase (ATGL) and AdipoR1 and decreased the expression levels of fatty acid synthase (FAS). Dexamethasone had the converse effects compared with rosiglitazone. Oil red O staining results showed a marked decrease in fat deposition in cells treated with adiponectin. In adipocytes, adiponectin could decrease the expression levels of CCAAT/enhancer‐binding protein α (C/EBPα) and FAS and increased the expression levels of ATGL and AdipoR1. These results indicate that adiponectin has a remarkable effect on impairment of adipocyte differentiation, which contributes to the negative regulation of fat deposition in chicken.