PSVII-10 Skeletal muscle transcriptome reveals gene expression differences in newborn goats' as a result of maternal feed restriction at different stages of gestation

Abstract

Abstract The current study aimed to identify differentially expressed genes and their biological process in the skeletal muscle of newborn goats as a function of maternal feed restriction during different stages of gestation. A total of 14 pregnant dams were randomly divided into one of the follow dietary treatments: Animals fed at 50% of maintenance requirement from 8-84 d of gestation and then fed at 100% of maintenance requirement from day 85 of gestation to parturition (RM, n = 6), and animals fed at 100% of maintenance requirement from 8-84 d of gestation and then fed at 50% of maintenance requirement from day 85 of gestation to parturition (MR, n = 8). At birth, all male offspring were euthanized and a sample of Logissimus muscle was collected for total RNA extraction and sequencing. Cuffdiff tool (Cufflinks 2.2.1) was used to count reads, normalize transcript expression (FPKM), and identify differentially expressed genes (DEG) between treatments. Network analysis was performed with String 11.0 using the available genome from the closest specie (Ovis aries). A total of 66 DEG (q-value < 0.05) were identified, with 6 up-regulated genes in skeletal muscle of RM compared to MR newborn goats. These genes are related to tissue development, such as CYTL1, UGT8, and NPNT. The 60 down-regulated genes in skeletal muscle of RM compared with MR newborn goats are related to transcription factors (TF) complex. Among the TF, FOS and JUNB families forms heterodimers in response to several stimuli (cytokines,growth factors, stress), and play key roles controlling a number of cellular processes, including signal transduction, cell proliferation, differentiation and apoptosis. In conclusion, maternal feed restriction at different stages of gestation affects tissue development and changes the transcription pattern in the skeletal muscle of newborn goats, which may lead to negative consequences in animal growth and performance.