Integrated metabolomic and transcriptomic analyses suggest that high dietary lipid levels facilitate ovary development through the enhanced arachidonic acid metabolism, cholesterol biosynthesis and steroid hormone synthesis in Chinese sturgeon (Acipenser sinensis)

Abstract

Chinese sturgeon (Acipenser sinensis) is an endangered species, listed as a grade I protected animal in China. The females rarely successfully develop their gonads from stage II to III in captivity, which handicaps the propagation of cultured Chinese sturgeon. The present study aimed to understand the effects of dietary lipid level on the ovarian development and the related regulation mechanism in female Chinese sturgeon. A 24-month feeding trial was conducted with 10-year-old Chinese sturgeons with ovaries at the developmental stage II, with three experimental diets containing 10, 14 and 18 % lipids. Ovary, muscle and serum samples were collected at four time points (6, 12, 18 and 24 months) for further analyses. Serum metabolomics and ovary transcriptomics analyses were conducted at 18 months. Results showed that only the 18 % lipid diet promoted ovary development to stage IV. Oocytes at stage II in this group also exhibited higher diameter and more lipid droplets. Serum TAG content in the 18 % group was significantly higher than in 10 and 14 % groups (both at 12 and 18 months). Oestradiol content in the 14 % group was significantly higher than in 10 and 18 % groups, except at 24 months. Metabolomic and transcriptomic results indirectly indicated that 14 % of dietary lipids benefited steroid hormone synthesis, while 18 % lipid facilitated arachidonic acid metabolism, cholesterol biosynthesis and vitellogenesis, although serum cholesterol content did not vary with dietary lipid level. In conclusion, 18 % dietary lipid is the optimal level for improving gonad development of female Chinese sturgeon.

Ovary-derived circular RNAs profile analysis during the onset of puberty in gilts

“…Moreover, we uncovered several circRNAs in some of the key pathways associated with the onset of puberty, including steroid biosynthesis, autophagy-animal, MAPK signaling pathway, progesterone-mediated oocyte maturation and ras signaling pathway. These pathways have all been reported to regulate the development of ovary and onset of puberty [ 41 , 51 – 53 ]. Notably, for autophagy-animal pathway, “circ 1:190648253–190654424” was exclusively expressed in the in-puberty, and its parental gene HIF1A has been reported to have the highest expression in the early luteal phase [ 54 ].…”

Integrative Analysis of Vaginal Microorganisms and Serum Metabolomics in Rats With Estrous Cycle Disorder Induced by Long-Term Heat Exposure Based on 16S rDNA Gene Sequencing and LC/MS-Based Metabolomics

“…The adaptation to the external environment during HE causes significant alterations in nutrient absorption and metabolism (Coble et al, 2014), inducing abnormalities in energy (Lu et al, 2017), lipid (Victoria Sanz Fernandez et al, 2015, and amino acid (McCommis et al, 2015) metabolism in chickens, cows, and pigs. Exercise, diseases (Okamoto et al, 2018), and nutrition or drug intervention (Leng et al, 2019) affect the secretion of gonadal hormones, thus affecting serum metabolism. Unfortunately, the effects of heat-induced estrous cycle disorder (ECD) on metabolism in rats are less reported.…”

Microplastics (Polystyrene) Exposure Induces Metabolic Changes in the Liver of Rare Minnow (Gobiocypris rarus)

“…The tissues were fixed in 10% formalin, embedded in paraffin wax, sectioned at 4 μm thickness, and stained with eosin (H&E) and oil red O for observation of organizational form and lipid droplet precipitation, respectively. The scanned slices were histopathologically analyzed [ 56 ]. To observe the presence of fluorescent-labeled polystyrene microplastic particles in liver, one bright-field image was acquired by microscopy first, and then a dark-field image of the slide was acquired by epifluorescence microscopy [ 47 ].…”