1H-NMR metabolomic data in pigs to improve the understanding of heat stress adaptation mechanisms

Heat stress is one of the main limiting performance factors in the pig industry, and its importance is expected to grow with the consequences of a warming climate. Different solutions to temper the influence of heat stress on the performance and well-being of pigs have been studied, and genetic selection appears as a potential solution. Genetic mechanisms behind heat tolerance are still poorly understood, but some differences between breeds and an interaction between genetics and environment have been shown. This study aims to use omics data to understand the metabolic pathways involved in heat stress adaptation. To achieve this, NMR metabolomic data from Longissimus dorsi muscle, liver, plasma, and urine were obtained in an experiment involving 36 pigs from 3 breeds slaughtered before (n=18) or after a 5-day exposure to 32°C (n=18). The animals were raised at the French Experimental Unit PTEA, INRAE, Petit-Bourg in Guadeloupe. 35 samples were available for analysis.

热应激是制约养猪业生产性能的主要限制因素之一，且随着气候变暖带来的影响加剧，其重要性预计将进一步提升。目前已有多项研究探索缓解热应激对猪生产性能与福利水平负面影响的方案，其中遗传选育被视为一项潜在可行的解决途径。尽管学界对耐热性背后的遗传机制仍知之甚少，但已有研究证实不同品种间存在耐热性差异，且存在遗传与环境的互作效应。本研究旨在借助组学数据解析参与猪热应激适应过程的代谢通路。为达成该目标，本研究针对来自3个品种的36头猪开展试验：其中18头于热应激处理前屠宰，剩余18头先经32℃环境暴露5天后再行屠宰，并采集其背最长肌、肝脏、血浆及尿液样本，获取核磁共振（NMR）代谢组学数据。试验动物饲养于位于瓜德罗普岛Petit-Bourg的法国国家农业食品与环境研究院（INRAE）PTEA实验基地。最终共获得可用于分析的样本35份。