Transcriptome profiling of hepatic and renal mRNAs and lncRNAs under a nutritional restriction during pregnancy in a sheep model

Genomics. 2021 Jul;113(4):2769-2779. doi: 10.1016/j.ygeno.2021.06.023. Epub 2021 Jun 18.

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the transcriptome profiles of liver and kidney in pregnant sheep under a nutritional restriction. Twenty Hu sheep were segregated into control group (CON) and severe feed restriction (FR) group. Results showed that the concentration of insulin decreased, whereas glucagon, epinephrine, and norepinephrine increased in the FR group. Histological morphology showed no apparent difference in terms of fat deposition in the kidney. In addition, FR significantly decreased the hepatic gene expression of gluconeogenic genes. However, in the kidney, the relative mRNA expression levels of gluconeogenic genes and glucose transporter 1 were observed to increase while the mRNA expression of sodium-glucose co-transporter 1 were decreased by FR. The differentially expressed genes in the liver were associated with fatty acid metabolism and inflammation. In the kidney, FR mainly activated the gluconeogenesis improving negative energy balance. These results provide a better understanding of the consequences of starvation during pregnancy.

Keywords: Kidney; Liver; Malnutrition; Pregnant ewe; Transcriptome.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Female
  • Gene Expression Profiling
  • Kidney
  • Liver / metabolism
  • Pregnancy
  • RNA, Long Noncoding* / genetics
  • RNA, Messenger / genetics
  • RNA, Messenger / metabolism
  • Sheep / genetics
  • Transcriptome

Substances

  • RNA, Long Noncoding
  • RNA, Messenger