Ovary removal modifies liver message RNA profiles in single Comb White Leghorn chickens

Abstract

Ovaries produce sex hormones, and ovariectomized animals are often used as models for ovarian dysfunction. The liver is a vital organ involved in metabolism and immunity. In the present study, we conducted experiments to investigate the effects of ovariectomy on transcription and metabolic processes in the liver in chicken. Eight Single Comb White Leghorn (SCWL) female chickens were ovariectomized at 17 wk of age, and 8 intact SCWL females served as controls. At 100 wk of age, all chickens were euthanized. High-throughput transcriptome sequencing was performed on liver RNA obtained from ovariectomized and intact females. A total of 267 differentially expressed genes (DEG) were identified in our study. After analysis using DAVID functional annotation tool, one significant Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway, the phosphatidylinositol signaling pathway, was clustered. Gene Ontology enrichment analysis yielded 46 significant Gene Ontology terms. Among terms describing biological processes, the glycerolipid metabolic and lipid localization processes were dominant. The anabolic genes, PEPCK and GK5 , and the catabolic genes, VTG1 ; VTG2 ; PLD5 ; DGKQ ; DGKE ; and FABP3, were detected in ovariectomized chickens. Differentially expressed genes such as ENSGALG00000000162 , IL-1Β , SVOPL, and CA12 implied that livers in ovariectomized chickens were subjected to strong inflammatory reactions, whereas defenses against endogenous materials were compromised. A comprehensive view of gene expression in the liver of ovariectomized chickens would advance our understanding of lipid metabolism, glycometabolism, and their relationships to pathologies induced by absence of the ovary. The identified DEG indicated that ovariectomy disturbed lipid metabolism in the liver and was accompanied by an increase in hepatic gluconeogenesis and reductions in phosphatidic acid synthesis and lipid carrier capacity.

Transcriptome Response of Liver and Muscle in Heat-Stressed Laying Hens

“…Both vitellogenin I ( VTG1 ) and vitellogenin II ( VTG2 ) were strongly downregulated in the 4-week to 3 h contrast in the control muscle tissue. However, a prior study of layers that had undergone ovariectomy found VTG1 and VTG2 downregulated in the liver tissue [ 55 ]. The downregulation of both fibrinogen and vitellogenin in the muscle tissue suggests conservation of local energy metabolism and reduction in protein synthesis in response to increased egg production in reproductive tissues.…”

Transcriptomics and Metabolomics Analysis of the Ovaries of High and Low Egg Production Chickens

“…The function of this gene remains to be further investigated. FABP3 (fatty acid binding protein 3) encodes a fatty acid transporter of long-chain fatty acids (LCFA) and is related to the PPAR/RXR signaling pathway [ 32 ]. LCFA has an essential role in the regulation of energy metabolism [ 33 ].…”