Gene expression data of the subcutaneous adipose tissue from entire male, immunocastrated and surgically castrated pigs

Differences in adipose tissue deposition and properties between pig male sex categories, i.e., entire male, immunocastrated and surgically castrated pigs are relatively well characterized, whereas the underlying genetic mechanisms are still not fully understood. To gain the knowledge about the genetic regulation of the differences in adipose tissue deposition, RNA-sequencing approach was used. A total of 83 differentially expressed genes were identified between entire male and immunocastrated pigs, 15 between immunocastrated and surgically castrated pigs and 48 between entire male and surgically castrated pigs by RNA-sequencing of the subcutaneous adipose tissue. Comparing entire male with immunocastrated or surgically castrated pigs, upregulated genes related to extracellular matrix dynamics, and downregulated genes involved in the control of lipid and carbohydrate metabolism were determinated. Moreover, differential gene expression in general indicated a high similarity between immunocastrated and surgically castrated pigs in contrast to entire males, except for several heat shock protein genes which were upregulated in entire male and immunocastrated pigs compared with surgically castrated pigs. Overall design: Pigs originating from one slaughter batch (12 entire males, 12 immunocastrated and 12 surgically castrated pigs) of the commercial Landrace x Pietrain crosses were used. Surgically castrated pigs were castrated within the first week of life, while immunocastrated pigs were vaccinated at the age of 12 and 21 weeks with a vaccine against GnRH (Improvac® vaccine, Zoetis). At the age of 26 weeks, animals were slaughtered and the inner layer of subcutaneous fat at withers (i.e., between first thoracal and last cervical vertebra) was sampled.