Impact of genotype, body weight and sex on the prenatal muscle transcriptome of Iberian pigs

Growth is dependent on genotype and diet, even at early developmental stages. In this study, we investigated the effects of genotype, sex, and body weight on the fetal muscle transcriptome of purebred Iberian and crossbred Iberian x Large White pigs sharing the same uterine environment. RNA sequencing was performed on 16 purebred and crossbred fetuses with high body weight (340±14g and 415±14g, respectively) and 16 with low body weight (246±14g and 311±14g, respectively), on gestational day 77. Genotype had the greatest effect on gene expression, with 645 genes identified as differentially expressed (DE) between purebred and crossbred animals. Functional analysis showed differential regulation of pathways involved in energy and lipid metabolism, muscle development, and tissue disorders. In purebred animals, fetal body weight was associated with 35 DE genes involved in development, lipid metabolism and adipogenesis. In crossbred animals, fetal body weight was associated with 60 DE genes involved in muscle development, viability, and immunity. Interestingly, the results suggested an interaction genotype∗weight for some DE genes. Fetal sex had only a modest effect on gene expression. This study allowed the identification of genes, metabolic pathways, biological functions and regulators related to fetal genotype, weight and sex, in animals sharing the same uterine environment. Our findings contribute to a better understanding of the molecular events that influence prenatal muscle development and highlight the complex interactions affecting transcriptional regulation during development.</p

Ontogeny of Sex-Related Differences in Foetal Developmental Features, Lipid Availability and Fatty Acid Composition

Sex-related differences in lipid availability and fatty acid composition during swine foetal development were investigated. Plasma cholesterol and triglyceride concentrations in the mother were strongly related to the adequacy or inadequacy of foetal development and concomitant activation of protective growth in some organs (brain, heart, liver and spleen). Cholesterol and triglyceride availability was similar in male and female offspring, but female foetuses showed evidence of higher placental transfer of essential fatty acids and synthesis of non-essential fatty acids in muscle and liver. These sex-related differences affected primarily the neutral lipid fraction (triglycerides), which may lead to sex-related postnatal differences in energy partitioning. These results illustrate the strong influence of the maternal lipid profile on foetal development and homeorhesis, and they confirm and extend previous reports that female offspring show better adaptive responses to maternal malnutrition than male offspring. These findings may help guide dietary interventions to ensure adequate fatty acid availability for postnatal development

Characterization of Ageing- and Diet-Related Swine Models of Sarcopenia and Sarcopenic Obesity

Sarcopenia and sarcopenic obesity are currently considered major global threats for health and well-being. However, there is a lack of adequate preclinical models for their study. The present trial evaluated the suitability of aged swine by determining changes in adiposity, fatty acids composition, antioxidant status and lipid peroxidation, development of metabolic disturbances and structural changes in tissues and organs. Iberian sows with clinical evidence of aging-related sarcopenia were fed a standard diet fulfilling their maintenance requirements or an obesogenic diet for 100 days. Aging and sarcopenia were related to increased lipid accumulation and cellular dysfunction at both adipose tissue and non-adipose ectopic tissues (liver and pancreas). Obesity concomitant to sarcopenia aggravates the condition by increasing visceral adiposity and causing dyslipidemia, insulin resistance and lipotoxicity in non-adipose tissues. These results support that the Iberian swine model represents certain features of sarcopenia and sarcopenic obesity in humans, paving the way for future research on physiopathology of these conditions and possible therapeutic targets

Ontogeny of sex-related differences in foetal developmental features, lipid availability and fatty acid composition

Sex-related differences in lipid availability and fatty acid composition during swine foetal development were investigated. Plasma cholesterol and triglyceride concentrations in the mother were strongly related to the adequacy or inadequacy of foetal development and concomitant activation of protective growth in some organs (brain, heart, liver and spleen). Cholesterol and triglyceride availability was similar in male and female offspring, but female foetuses showed evidence of higher placental transfer of essential fatty acids and synthesis of non-essential fatty acids in muscle and liver. These sex-related differences affected primarily the neutral lipid fraction (triglycerides), which may lead to sex-related postnatal differences in energy partitioning. These results illustrate the strong influence of the maternal lipid profile on foetal development and homeorhesis, and they confirm and extend previous reports that female offspring show better adaptive responses to maternal malnutrition than male offspring. These findings may help guide dietary interventions to ensure adequate fatty acid availability for postnatal development

The Iberian pig fed with high-fat diet: a model of renal disease in obesity and metabolic syndrome

The pathogenesis of renal disease in the context of overweight/obesity, metabolic syndrome, and insulin resistance is not completely understood. This may be due to the lack of a definitive animal model of disease, which limits our understanding of obesity-induced renal damage. We evaluated the changes in renal histology and lipid deposits induced by obesity in a model of insulin resistance: the Iberian swine fed with fat-enriched food.The IMBRAIN (CIBICAN) project (FP7-RE6-POT-2012-CT2012-31637-IMBRAIN) 329 funded under the 7th Framework Program (capacities); the Instituto de Salud Carlos 330 III (ISCIII) for the following grants: PI13/00342, PI, PI16/01814, the REDINREN RD16/0009 and PI10/02428; funding from the IRSIN (Instituto Reina Sofia de Investigacion), FEDER funds, SLL is a research fellow supported by the Instituto de Salud Carlos III (Grants for Río Hortega specialized healthcare post training contracts), ISCIII CM15/00214, Spain; EP is a Researcher of the Ramón y Cajal Program of the ISCIII.Peer reviewe

Mechanisms of Communication in the Mammalian Circadian Timing System

24-hour rhythms in physiology and behaviour are organized by a body-wide network of endogenous circadian clocks. In mammals, a central pacemaker in the hypothalamic suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) integrates external light information to adapt cellular clocks in all tissues and organs to the external light-dark cycle. Together, central and peripheral clocks co-regulate physiological rhythms and functions. In this review, we outline the current knowledge about the routes of communication between the environment, the main pacemakers and the downstream clocks in the body, focusing on what we currently know and what we still need to understand about the communication mechanisms by which centrally and peripherally controlled timing signals coordinate physiological functions and behaviour. We highlight recent findings that shed new light on the internal organization and function of the SCN and neuroendocrine mechanisms mediating clock-to-clock coupling. These findings have implications for our understanding of circadian network entrainment and for potential manipulations of the circadian clock system in therapeutic settings

Metformin alleviates obesity and systemic oxidative stress in obese young swine

The present study assessed the relationship between obesity induced by lifestyle and systemic oxidative stress and possible modulations by oral metformin treatments in young individuals, by using a translational swine model of obesity and associated cardiometabolic disorders (Iberian pig). The results indicate the existence of an age-related increase in both adiposity and systemic oxidative stress (using hydrogen peroxide as a marker), which is higher in individuals with obesogenic lifestyle and increased weight and obesity. Such effect was not found in individuals treated with metformin. The translation of these results suggests that childhood obesity increases production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), and therefore systemic oxidative stress. Treatment with metformin would improve such oxidative status

Metformin Alleviates Obesity and Systemic Oxidative Stress in Obese Young Swine

8 Pág.The present study assessed the relationship between obesity induced by lifestyle and systemic oxidative stress and possible modulations by oral metformin treatments in young individuals, by using a translational swine model of obesity and associated cardiometabolic disorders (Iberian pig). The results indicate the existence of an age-related increase in both adiposity and systemic oxidative stress (using hydrogen peroxide as a marker), which is higher in individuals with obesogenic lifestyle and increased weight and obesity. Such effect was not found in individuals treated with metformin. The translation of these results suggests that childhood obesity increases production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), and therefore systemic oxidative stress. Treatment with metformin would improve such oxidative status.This research was funded by the Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (projects AGL2013–48121-C3-R and AGL2016–79321-C2–1-R), co-funded by FEDER. M.V.-G., C.G.-C. and A.H.-M. were supported by the Spanish Government (M.V.G.: FPU National Program Grant number FPU014/01285. C.G.-C. and A.H.-M.: FPI National Program Grant numbers BES-2014-070464 and BES-2017-0 80541, respectively).Peer reviewe

Tratamientos contra moteado del manzano

La enfermedad más importante que ataca al manzano actualmente en Navarra es el moteado. El incremento de la misma quizás se deba esencialmente a la mayor sensibilidad de las variedades que hoy día se cultivan, pero considerando también que en los últimos años se están dando condiciones climáticas favorables para su desarrollo, sobre todo en las primeras fases del ciclo vegetativo. Esta enfermedad es provocada por el hongo Venturia inaequalis. Este produce sus ascosporas en la primavera en cuerpos fructíferos denominados pseudotecios creados durante el invierno en las hojas caídas en el suelo y en los denominados conidios, sobre los tejidos verdes atacados durante la temporada vegetativa. Aunque su acción sobre las hojas pueda mermar los rendimientos, el daño más grave se produce cuando ataca al fruto, al afectar a su desarrollo, a su calidad, a su capacidad de conservación en cámara y por lo tanto a su rentabilidad. artículo completo (pdf) Autores: Miguel Esparza, Isabel Garnica, Juan Antonio Lezaun, Beatriz Landa, Maite Astiz LA enfermedad más importante que ataca al manzano actualmente en Navarra es el moteado. El incremento de la misma quizás se deba esencialmente a la mayor sensibilidad de las variedades que hoy día se cultivan, pero considerando también que en los últimos años se están dando condiciones climáticas favorables para su desarrollo, sobre todo en las primeras fases del ciclo vegetativo. Esta enfermedad es provocada por el hongo Venturia inaequalis. Este produce sus ascosporas en la primavera en cuerpos fructíferos denominados pseudotecios creados durante el invierno en las hojas caídas en el suelo y en los denominados conidios, sobre los tejidos verdes atacados durante la temporada vegetativa. Aunque su acción sobre las hojas pueda mermar los rendimientos, el daño más grave se produce cuando ataca al fruto, al afectar a su desarrollo, a su calidad, a su capacidad de conservación en cámara y por lo tanto a su rentabilidad. artículo completo (pdf) Autores: Miguel Esparza, Isabel Garnica, Juan Antonio Lezaun, Beatriz Landa, Maite Asti