Liver transcriptomic networks reveal main biological processes associated with feed efficiency in beef cattle.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The selection of beef cattle for feed efficiency (FE) traits is very important not only for productive and economic efficiency but also for reduced environmental impact of livestock. Considering that FE is multifactorial and expensive to measure, the aim of this study was to identify biological functions and regulatory genes associated with this phenotype.

Results

Eight genes were differentially expressed between high and low feed efficient animals (HFE and LFE, respectively). Co-expression analyses identified 34 gene modules of which 4 were strongly associated with FE traits. They were mainly enriched for inflammatory response or inflammation-related terms. We also identified 463 differentially co-expressed genes which were functionally enriched for immune respon

SUBMITTER: Alexandre PA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4683712 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature