Liver transcriptomic networks reveal main biological processes associated with feed efficiency in beef cattle

Abstract

BackgroundThe selection of beef cattle for feed efficiency (FE) traits is very important not only for productive and economic efficiency but also for reduced environmental impact of livestock. Considering that FE is multifactorial and expensive to measure, the aim of this study was to identify biological functions and regulatory genes associated with this phenotype.ResultsEight genes were differentially expressed between high and low feed efficient animals (HFE and LFE, respectively). Co-expression analyses identified 34 gene modules of which 4 were strongly associated with FE traits. They were mainly enriched for inflammatory response or inflammation-related terms. We also identified 463 differentially co-expressed genes which were functionally enriched for immune response and lipid metabolism. A total of 8 key regulators of gene expression profiles affecting FE were found. The LFE animals had higher feed intake and increased subcutaneous and visceral fat deposition. In addition, LFE animals showed higher levels of serum cholesterol and liver injury biomarker GGT. Histopathology of the liver showed higher percentage of periportal inflammation with mononuclear infiltrate.ConclusionLiver transcriptomic network analysis coupled with other results demonstrated that LFE animals present altered lipid metabolism and increased hepatic periportal lesions associated with an inflammatory response composed mainly by mononuclear cells. We are now focusing to identify the causes of increased liver lesions in LFE animals.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12864-015-2292-8) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Gene expression differences in Longissimus muscle of Nelore steers genetically divergent for residual feed intake

“…In support of our results, it has already been shown that the more efficient Nelore steers of this population had significantly lower liver and internal fat proportions and lower extracted amounts of intramuscular fat compared to the less efficient steers20. Also supporting our findings, a study observed differentially co-expressed genes related to fatty acid metabolic processes in Nelore animals divergent for RFI, indicating the differential metabolism of lipids between these divergent feed efficiency groups44.…”

“…Mitochondria play a major role as energy suppliers and ROS regulators42. Furthermore, other studies with cattle4344, including our previous study investigating global liver gene expression changes in Nelore steers from this population12 demonstrate that less feed efficient animals exhibit gene expression differences that are related to the modulation of conditions of oxidative stress.…”

Erratum to: Liver transcriptomic networks reveal main biological processes associated with feed efficiency in beef cattle

“…After publication of the original article [1], it came to the authors' attention that there were errors in the author list. The given name of Joanir P. Eler had been inadvertently misspelled, and Saulo Luz Silva was incorrectly listed as Paulo L. Silva.…”

Systems genetics and genome-wide association approaches for analysis of feed intake, feed efficiency, and performance in beef cattle

“…These trials were carried out in individual pens with either GrowSafe or Calan Gates for recording the feed intake. Further details about the animals, phenotypes, facilities, experimental diets, and management procedures are available in Santana et al (2012), Gomes et al (2013), and Alexandre et al (2015).…”

“…In all the experiments, animals were handled in accordance with the guidelines of the Brazilian College of Animal Experimentation (COBEA). Phenotypic data and DNA samples were taken from each of the experiments, which had been approved by the respective Ethics Committees for each study (Santana et al, 2012;Gomes et al, 2013;Alexandre et al, 2015).…”