Transcriptomics analysis of differentially expressed genes in subcutaneous and perirenal adipose tissue of sheep as affected by their pre- and early postnatal malnutrition histories

This study aimed to identify the genes (including hub genes) and biological pathways that are responsible for the observed changes on subcutaneous and perirenal adipose tissue morphological triats and tissue specific responses to early life malnutrition in a precocial sheep model. This study compared the mRNA expression levels within each adipose tissue (subcutaneous and perirenal adipose tissue) obtained from 2.5-years old sheep that has been subjected to different late gestational nutrition (6 week prepartum, terms=147 days) such as NORM (normal; fulfilling 100% energy and protein requirement), LOW (undernutrition; 50% of NORM) and HIGH (overnutrition; fulfilling 150% and 110% energy and protein requirement) followed by early postnatal CONV (moderate low fat) or HCHF (high-carbohydrate-high-fat) diet from day 3 until 6 months of age (adolescent). Thereafter, all animals were fed with similar low fat hay-based diet for 2 years.