The expression of the SCD1 gene and its correlation with fattening and carcass traits in sheep

K Ropka-Molik,J Knapik,M Pieszka,T Szmatoła

doi:10.5194/aab-59-37-2016

K Ropka-Molik, J Knapik + Show 2 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.5194/aab-59-37-2016

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Abstract

Abstract. Stearoyl-CoA desaturase 1 (SCD1) is a critical enzyme that catalyzes the synthesis of monounsaturated fatty acids and is involved in several signaling pathways related to lipid metabolism. The objective of the present study was to estimate the expression of the SCD1 gene in three different ovine tissues strongly associated with lipid homeostasis. The SCD1 gene expression measurement was performed on three tissues (liver, subcutaneous fat, perirenal fat) originated from 15 old-type Polish Merino sheep. The SCD1 transcript abundance was evaluated based on the two most stable endogenous controls (RPS2 – ribosomal protein S2; ATP5G2 – H(+)-transporting ATP synthase). The highest expression of the SCD1 gene was observed in ovine subcutaneous fat compared to perirenal fat and liver. Furthermore, the present research indicated the significant correlation between ovine SCD1 transcript abundance and several important production traits. The expression of the SCD1 gene in liver and perirenal fat highly positively correlated with the feed : gain ratio, test of daily gain and age of the animals at slaughter. Moreover, in both tissues, the SCD1mRNA level positively correlated with weight and content of perirenal fat and subcutaneous fat (R = 0.64, 0.8, 0.6, respectively) and negatively with assessment of external fat content with the use of the EUROP scale (R = −0.64). The SCD1 expression in subcutaneous fat also corresponds with back fat of blade chop and thickness of longissimus dorsi muscles evaluated using USG (ultrasonography) (R = −0.6 and 0.62, respectively). The significant correlation between SCD1 transcript abundance and fattening and slaughtering traits indicate the ability to improve important production traits in sheep via modification of expression of the SCD1 gene.

Highlights

The main factors determining quality and health-promoting properties of meat are fat content and fatty acid composition (Wood et al, 2004)
Stearoyl-CoA desaturase 1 (SCD1) is a critical enzyme that catalyzes the synthesis of monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs; palmitoleyl-CoA and oleyl-CoA), which are the key components of triglycerides and membrane phospholipids
The highest expression of the SCD1 gene was observed in subcutaneous fat compared to perirenal fat and liver (P ≤ 0.01)

Summary

Introduction

The main factors determining quality and health-promoting properties of meat are fat content and fatty acid composition (Wood et al, 2004). The most desirable is a low content of saturated fatty acid in the meat while maintaining the proper ratio of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) to saturated fatty acids (SFAs) (P /S). Stearoyl-CoA desaturase 1 (SCD1) is a critical enzyme that catalyzes the synthesis of monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs; palmitoleyl-CoA and oleyl-CoA), which are the key components of triglycerides and membrane phospholipids. By modifying the ratio of MUFAs to SFAs, SCD1 enzyme effects membrane fluidity, the composition of cholesterol esters and triglycerides which can affect lipoprotein metabolism and adiposity (Ntambi et al, 2002).

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