Persistent impact of embryonic temperature on cellular metabolism in the developing Atlantic salmon liver revealed by single nuclei transcriptomics
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ABSTRACT: Environmental temperature influences every biochemical and physiological process in poikilothermic fishes. Embryogenesis is a sensitive period of development where the thermal regime can promote plasticity in phenotypes that persist deep into the life cycle, with potential implications for aquaculture. However, the mechanisms by which embryonic temperature affects phenotypic development later in life remain poorly understood. In this investigation, we investigate the impact of changing embryonic temperature on the transcriptome of thousands of liver cells sampled from farmed Atlantic salmon fry. Three groups of fish were grown at 4, 6 or 8°C solely from fertilization to the eyed-stage of embryogenesis, then reared under a standardised temperature regime until sampling, one-month post start-feeding (seven weeks post temperature treatment). Single nuclei RNA sequencing identified hepatocyte, cholangiocyte, mesenchymal, endothelial and immune cell populations. Seven hepatocyte subpopulations were identified with distinct gene expression programs. Comprehensive analyses identified strong impacts of embryonic temperature on the transcriptome of hepatocytes, implicating diverse metabolic functions, pathways and regulatory genes. This included pervasive changes in the mevalonate and insulin-like growth factor-growth hormone pathways, consistent with alterations in cholesterol/lipid metabolism and endocrine growth regulation. Combined, our results indicate that altering temperature during a short window of embryogenesis regulates the long-term development of metabolic functions in farmed Atlantic salmon.
ORGANISM(S): Salmo salar
PROVIDER: GSE301701 | GEO | 2025/07/12
REPOSITORIES: GEO
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