Characterization of global gene expression associated with feed efficiency in Nelore cattle

Abstract

The world population growth estimated for the coming decades and the consequent need to produce more food brings to the Brazilian beef industry, considering its importance in global market, the challenge of increase production while reducing the environmental impact of meat chain. One way is by selecting animals with high feed efficiency, which not only produce more meat per kilogram of food consumed, but also emit less methane and produce less manure per kilogram of meat produced. In this project, it is proposed to characterize the phenotype of high feed efficiency in terms of global gene expression profile (RNA-seq) in liver samples from Nellore bulls challenged in feedlot for 70 days and selected into two groups (high and low feed efficiency) according to the measure of residual intake and body weight gain (RIG). Finally, potential feed efficiency associated pathways will be identified using the results of gene expression, and thus the mechanisms that cause individuals to differ in their response to diet will be clarified. (AU)