Both Feed Restriction and Transition Period Suppressed Adipose Tissue MRNA Abundance of Genes Involved in Lipogenesis and Lipolysis in Fat‐Tailed Ewes

Abstract

This study sought to investigate the consequences of the induced feed restriction during the transition period on the mRNA abundance of genes entangled in lipogenesis and lipolysis in the tail adipose of fat‐tailed sheep. Twenty fat‐tailed ewes were randomised into the control (Control; n = 10) and restriction (Restriction; n = 10) groups. Control animals were fed 100% of the balanced diet pre‐(Week −5 to parturition) and post‐partum (parturition to Week 5). Restriction ewes received equivalent 100%, 50%, 65%, 80%, and 100% of the balanced ration at Weeks −5, −4, −3, −2, and −1 relative to parturition, respectively. After parturition, the latter group received the equivalent of 100%, 50%, 65%, 80%, and 100% of the diet recommendation at weeks 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5, respectively. At the end of weeks −3 and 3, tail adipose were sampled under local anesthesia. Fatty acid synthase, acetyl‐CoA carboxylase, carnitine palmitoyltransferase I and II, and acyl‐CoA synthase long‐chain family member‐1 mRNA abundances were measured using the TaqMan quantity real‐time PCR. A mixed model procedure of SAS software was used to evaluate the results. Feed restriction downregulated target genes' mRNA abundance during both pre‐ and post‐partum. Parturition suppressed the mRNA abundance of measured genes in both groups. Established on the outcomes, lipogenesis, and lipolysis of the adipose tissue would be influenced by metabolite and hormone instability during the transition period and feed restriction. The lessening of adipose tissue lipogenesis and lipolysis might be a hemostatic response to cope with the energy insufficiency for fetal growth and the onset of lactation and also prevent the induction of inflammation, metabolic disorders, and infectious diseases during feed restriction or transition period.