Abstract
Feed cost accounts for approximately 65–75% of overall commercial pork production costs. Therefore, improving the feed efficiency of pig production is important. In this study, 12 individuals with either extremely high (HE) or low (LE) feed efficiency were selected from 225 Duroc × (Landrace × Yorkshire) (DLY) pigs. After the pigs were slaughtered, we collected small intestine mucosal tissue. Next, RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) analysis was used to reveal the presence and quantity of genes expressed between these extremely HE- and LE-groups. We found 433 significantly differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between the HE- and LE-groups. Of these, 389 and 44 DEGs were upregulated and downregulated in the HE-group, respectively. An enrichment analysis showed that the DEGs were mainly enriched in functions related to apical plasma membrane composition, transporter activity, transport process and hormone regulation of digestion and absorption. Protein network interaction and gene function analyses revealed that SLC2A2 was an important candidate gene for FE in pigs, which may give us a deeper understanding of the mechanism of feed efficiency. Furthermore, some significant DEGs identified in the current study could be incorporated into artificial selection programs for increased feeding efficiency in pigs.
Highlights
IntroductionEfficient use of feed resources has become a clear challenge for the pork industry as feed costs continue to be the largest variable expenditure [1]
The efficient usage of resources is a major concern in agri-food production
We found the glucose of the insulin pathway in small intestine mucosal mucosal tissues was that important for feed efficiency (FE) insensitivity pigs
Summary
Efficient use of feed resources has become a clear challenge for the pork industry as feed costs continue to be the largest variable expenditure [1]. Improving feed efficiency (FE) is an important approach for reducing pig production expenses. Improving FE implies a reduction in the amount of minerals, heavy metal and greenhouse gas excreted per kg of meat produced [3], reducing the environmental impact of pig production systems. China is the leading pork producer worldwide, and the dominant commercial pig breed is represented by Duroc × (Landrace × Yorkshire) (DLY) crossbred pigs [4,5]. Solving the problem of DLY feed efficiency is critical for improving the overall efficiency of the pig industry
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