Co-expression of candidate genes regulating growth performance and carcass traits of Barki lambs in Egypt

Sheep are considered one of the main sources of animal protein in Egypt and the producers of sheep mutton eagers to find biological criteria for selecting fast-growing lambs that reach market weight early. Therefore, the present study aimed to find a link between the expression profile of selected candidate genes with growth performance and carcass traits of Barki lambs. Thirty-eight Barki lambs were kept and fed individually after weaning till 12 months of age and were divided into 3 groups according to growth performance (fast, intermediate, and slow-growing). Three samples were taken from different body tissues (eye muscle, liver, and fat tail) of each group, directly during slaughtering and stored at − 80 °C until RNA isolation. Real-time PCR was used to profile selected candidate genes (RPL7, CTP1, FABP4, ADIPOQ, and CAPN3) and GAPDH was used as a housekeeping gene. The results indicated that the final body weight was significantly (P ≤ 0.05) greater in the fast (49.9 kg) and intermediate (40.7 kg) compared to slow-growing animals (30.8 kg). The hot carcass weight was heavier (P ≤ 0.05) in the fast and intermediate-growing (24.57 and 19.07 kg) than slow-growing lambs (15.10 kg). The blood profiles of T3 and T4 hormones in addition to other parameters such as total protein, total lipids, and calcium level showed no clear variations among different experimental groups. At the molecular level, our data demonstrated upregulation of genes involved in protein biosynthesis (RPL7), fatty acid oxidation (CPT1), and lipolysis (FABP4) in the fast and intermediate-growing lambs in all studied tissues which facilitate protein accretion, energy expenditure, and fatty acid partitioning required for muscle building up. Moreover, the expression profile of the gene involved in muscle development (CAPN3) was increased in fast and intermediate-growing compared to slow-growing lambs in order to support muscle proper development. On the other hand, a candidate gene involved in lipogenesis (ADIPOQ) was expressed similarly in fat and liver tissues; however, its expression was increased in muscles of fast and intermediate-growing lambs compared to slow-growing animals. In conclusion, the current study indicated that the expression profile of genes involved in metabolic activities of liver, muscle, and adipose tissue is linked with the growth performance of lambs although no variations were detected in blood parameters. This provides an evidence for the importance of co-expression of these genes in body tissues to determine the final body weight and carcass characteristics of Barki sheep.