Transcriptome Profiling of Fast-Glycolytic and Slow-Oxidative Muscle Fibers in Chickens under Short- and Long-Term High-Fat Diets
Ontology highlight
ABSTRACT: Skeletal muscle fiber composition influences meat quality and metabolic regulation in poultry, yet fiber-type–specific responses to high-fat diet (HFD) remain poorly understood. This study examined the effects of short-term (SHFD) and long-term (LHFD) HFD feeding on fast/glycolytic (pectoralis major, PEM) and slow/oxidative (soleus, SOL) muscles in Guangyuan grey chickens. Histological analysis showed SOL fibers underwent oxidative-to-glycolytic transition under LHFD, accompanied by mitochondrial disruption. PEM accumulated more lipids and showed early metabolic stress. Transcriptome profiling revealed 3840 differentially expressed genes between PEM and SOL, with 1761 constitutively different. Under SHFD, SOL activated protective pathways including PPAR and autophagy, while PEM showed limited adaptation. LHFD induced further downregulation of fatty acid metabolism and structural genes (e.g., ALPK1, CA12, PM20D2, SLC27A1, and GADD45G) in PEM, but SOL maintained or enhanced expression of genes (e.g., NR4A3, PRKAG2, NOCT, PPARA, and SLC6A6) involved in muscle organization and lipid processing. Temporal clustering highlighted progressive divergence in transcriptional responses. These results suggest SOL fibers exhibit greater resilience to lipid overload than PEM fibers. Our findings provide insight into the molecular basis of muscle-type–specific adaptations to dietary fat and offer targets for improving metabolic health and meat quality in poultry.
ORGANISM(S): Gallus gallus
PROVIDER: GSE304154 | GEO | 2025/12/02
REPOSITORIES: GEO
ACCESS DATA