In order to identify potential variances in gene expression of phenotypically different pig breeds, six fat-metabolism-related genes were analyzed in backfat and muscle tissues of fat-type Mangalica (MAN), Mangalica × Duroc (MD), and lean-type Hungarian Large White (HLW) and Pietrain × Duroc (PD) pigs by means of quantitative reverse transcription PCR (qRT-PCR). Higher (P < 0.05) adipocyte fatty-acid-binding protein (A-FABP) expression was observed in backfat and muscle tissues of purebred and crossbred MAN than in those of HLW and PD. In all breeds and crosses, adiponectin (ADIPOQ) was predominantly expressed in backfat at a similar level (P > 0.05), whereas muscle ADIPOQ expression was highest (P < 0.05) in MAN and MD. Levels of fatty acid synthase (FASN) mRNA were greatest in MAN, moderate in MD, and lowest in HLW and PD backfat and muscle. The fat mass and obesity-associated gene (FTO) was more abundant in MAN and MD backfat, whereas muscle expressions did not differ (P > 0.05) between breeds. Regarding leptin (LEP) expression, MAN produced the greatest levels in backfat, while HLW produced the lowest. In muscle, highest LEP was detected in MAN and MD. Between groups, perilipin 2 (PLIN2) was expressed similarly in backfat; however, PLIN2 was more abundant in muscle of MAN and MD than in that of HLW and PD. Differences in gene expression can contribute to the development of the characteristic fatty phenotype in MAN pigs. The identification of differentially expressed genes facilitates targeted sequencing and genotyping efforts for further studies.

Objective: Effects of linseed oil (LO) supplementation on the fat content and fatty acid profile of breast meat, and the expression of three genes in the liver, breast muscle and fat tissues of commercial 154-day-old hybrid male turkeys were investigated.Methods: The animals in the control group were fed a commercially available feed and received no LO supplementation (n = 70), whereas animals in the LO group (n = 70) were fed the same basic diet supplemented with LO (day 15 to 21, 0.5%; day 22 to 112, 1%). The effect of dietary LO supplementation on fatty acid composition of breast muscle was examined by gas chromatography, and the expression of fatty acid desaturase 2 (FADS2), peroxisome proliferator activated receptor gamma (PPARγ), and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF1) genes was analysed by means of quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction.Results: The LO supplementation affected the fatty acid composition of breast muscle. Hepatic FADS2 levels were considerably lower (p<0.001), while adipose tissue expression was higher (p<0.05) in the control compared to the LO group. The PPARγ expression was lower (p<0.05), whereas IGF1 was higher (p0.05) differences in FADS2, PPARγ, and IGF1 gene expressions of breast muscle; however, omega-6/omega-3 ratio of breast muscle substantially decreased (p<0.001) in the LO group compared to control.Conclusion: Fatty acid composition of breast meat was positively influenced by LO supplementation without deterioration of fattening parameters. Remarkably, increased FADS2 expression in the liver of LO supplemented animals was associated with a significantly decreased omega-6/omega-3 ratio, providing a potentially healthier meat product for human consumption. Increased PPARγ expression in fat tissue of the LO group was not associated with fat content of muscle, whereas a decreased IGF1 expression in fat tissue was associated with a trend of decreasing fat content in muscle of the experimental LO group.

Aggressive behavior is a major welfare and production challenge in cage-free laying hen systems, but the genetic mechanisms behind trait variation are poorly understood. This study investigated the role of a previously identified aggression-associated SORCS2 polymorphism and evaluated the expression of SORCS2, DRD1–4, and NGF in laying hens. A total of 360 hens from three experimental populations were subjected to behavioral observations. The SORCS2 SNP was genotyped by PCR-RFLP, pituitary gene expression was measured by qPCR, and specific-locus amplified fragment sequencing (SLAF-seq) was performed on pooled DNA samples representing the least (LA) and the most (MA) aggressive hens. The previously reported SORCS2 polymorphism was detected in all populations but showed no significant (p >0.05) association with behavioral traits. Among the analyzed genes, SORCS2 expression differed (p < 0.05) between populations and was consistently higher in the MA compared to the LA hens, whereas DRD1–4 and NGF expressions were similar (p > 0.05) among populations and aggression-divergent groups. The exploratory gene-level SNP differentiation analysis placed SORCS2 in the top 1.3% of genes between aggression-divergent groups, indicating a higher relative ranking than in population-based comparisons (top 4.5%). Overall, an exploratory association between SORCS2 and aggressive phenotype was detected in the experimental populations, which supports further investigation of this gene in relation to chicken behavior.

Different housing technology, breed, age and nutrition can contribute to changes in the composition of microbial communities in pigs. Faecal samples from groups of Mangalica and commercial pigs were collected and analysed by qPCR in order to identify changes and differences regarding the quantity of total faecal bacteria, Prevotella genus, Lactobacillus spp., Bifidobacterium spp., Enterococcus spp. and the family Enterobacteriaceae. In both Mangalica and commercial pig samples, quantities of total faecal bacteria increased from weaner pigs to lactating sows. The relative quantity of total bacteria was larger (p<0.05) in Mangalica growers and lactating sows compared to commercial pigs. The ratio of Prevotella genus in total bacteria was higher (p<0.05) in Mangalica growers and lower in Mangalica lactating sows compared to respective commercial groups. The ratio of Lactobacillus spp. was largest (p<0.05) in samples of Mangalica boars, whereas ratios of Bifidobacterium spp. were greater (p<0.05) in Mangalica weaners, growers, and boars. Faecal samples of Mangalica growers contained a higher ratio of Enterobacteriaceae in total bacteria, whereas Enterococcus spp. was more prevalent in commercial weaner pigs and boars (p<0.05). Considerable changes in faecal bacteria communities were observed in association with different age and utilization.