The objective of this study was to correlate the expression pattern of candidate genes with the intramuscular fat (IMF) content and fatty acid composition of the Longissimus dorsi muscle of Duroc × Shanzhu commercial crossbred pigs. Animals of both sexes were slaughtered at a body weight of about 90 kg. The IMF content and fatty acid composition of the Longissimus dorsi muscle were measured and correlated with candidate genes mRNA expression (AdPLA, ADRB3, LEPR, MC4R, PPARγ, PPARα, LPL, PEPCK, and SCD). Females presented higher IMF content (p < 0.05) than males. The total saturated fatty acid (SFA) in males was greater (p < 0.01), whereas the total monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFA) (p < 0.01) and polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) (p < 0.05) were lower than in females. The expressions of AdPLA, MC4R, PEPCK, and SCD correlated with the IMF content (p < 0.05). AdPLA showed a positive association with MUFA and a negative association with SFA (p < 0.05). LEPR and MC4R were both positively and significantly associated with C18:3 and C20:0 (p < 0.05). PPARα and PPARγ were negatively correlated with SFA, and PPARγ was positively associated with MUFA (p < 0.05). LPL was positively associated with MUFA and negatively associated with SFA (p < 0.05). PEPCK was negatively correlated with PUFA (p < 0.05). SCD was positively associated with MUFA (p < 0.05). The revealed correlations may confirm that these candidate genes are important for fat deposition and fatty acid composition in pigs, and the evaluation and use of these genes may be useful for improving porcine meat quality.

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ABSTRACT:The aim of the present study was to investigate the associations of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in candidate genes with fatness traits in the Longissimus dorsi muscle of pigs. The polymorphisms of genes were investigated, which included beta-3-adrenergic receptor gene (ADRB3), heart fatty acid-binding protein gene (FABP3), and hormone-sensitive lipase gene (LIPE) as well as lipoprotein lipase gene (LPL). The intramuscular fat (IMF) content and fatty acid composition contents in Longissimus dorsi muscle samples were measured. Results showed that ADRB3, LIPE, and LPL SNPs were associated with IMF content (P < 0.05). ADRB3 AG heterozygotes exhibited higher IMF content. LIPE A allele was associated with greater IMF content. LPL CT heterozygotes exhibited the lowest IMF content. ADRB3 c.1192G>A had highly significant association with the total monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFA) (P < 0.01) and the total polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) (P < 0.01). LIPE c.442G>A was significantly associated with the contents of C12:0 and C14:0 (P < 0.05). LPL c.624C>T was significantly associated with the percentage of C16:1 (P < 0.05) and the percentage of total saturated fatty acid (SFA) (P < 0.05). The pigs with ADRB3 G allele had more MUFA, and the pigs with LPL T allele had less SFA, implying that the ADRB3 G and LPL T in pigs may be beneficial to human health. In conclusion, the results suggest that these genetic markers are important sources of the variations for the pork selection to obtain favourable meat with higher IMF levels and appropriate fatty acid composition.

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BACKGROUND: Uniform design was used to optimize the ultrasonic-assisted extraction of cordycepin from cultured Cordyceps militaris. The peak area of cordycepin identified using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) at a detection wavelength of 260 nm was considered the detection index. Three factors, ethanol concentration, extraction time and volume ratio of solvent to sample were studied. Optimal quadric polynomial step by step regression was applied to process the experimental results.