Nutrigenomics in livestock—recent advances

Abstract

The study of the effects of nutrients on genome functioning, in terms of gene transcription, protein levels, and epigenetic mechanisms, is referred to as nutrigenomics. Nutrigenomic studies in farm animals, as distinct from rodents, are limited by the high cost of keeping livestock, their long generational distance, and ethical aspects. Yet farm animals, and particularly pigs, can serve as valuable animal models for human gastrological diseases, since they possess similar size, physiology, and nutritional habits and can develop similar pathological states. In livestock, the effects of dietary modifications have mostly been studied with reference to effective breeding and their influence on production traits and animal health. The majority of such studies have looked at the impact of various sources and quantities of fat and protein, supplementation with microelements, and plant-derived additives. The period of life of the animal-whether prenatal, neonatal, or mature-is typically considered when a modified diet is used. This review presents a summary of recent nutrigenomic studies in livestock.

Genes Related to Fat Metabolism in Pigs and Intramuscular Fat Content of Pork: A Focus on Nutrigenetics and Nutrigenomics

“…Protein, fat and micro/macro-nutrient supplementation have been proposed as nutritional interventions applied during different growth and developmental stages of the animal (prenatal, neonatal, or post-natal) [ 158 , 159 ]. To elucidate the regulatory mechanisms of dietary protein levels on gene expression related to lipid metabolism, the study conducted by Zhao et al [ 53 ] showed that high dietary protein supply at 18% CP significantly reduced expressions of mRNA, enzyme activities and expression levels of key fat and marbling genes in pigs.…”

Comparative morpho‐physiological aspects and transcriptomics of the gonads from wild caught and enhanced green sea urchin (Strongylocentrotus droebachiensis)

“…There is no consensus on the cause of textural differences between wild and enhanced sea urchins and no previous work done on gene expression, comparing wild and enhanced sea urchin gonads. The latter is of interest as changes in nutrition can lead to phenotypic modifications through changes in gene expression profiles (Clarke & Abraham, 1992;Roche, 2006;Nowacka-Woszuk, 2020).…”

Nutrigenetic comparison of two Varroa-resistant honey bee stocks fed pollen and spirulina microalgae

“…Understanding honey bee genotype-dependent responses to nutrition could enable marker-assisted breeding for improved health outcomes or the development of tailored feed supplements. The effects of diet have been studied in other livestock animals with reference to effective breeding and their influence on production traits and health (Nowacka-Woszuk 2020). The objective of this study was to test the effects of honey bee genetic variation on responses to natural and artificial diets.…”