Transcriptomic profiling of adipose tissue inflammation, remodeling, and lipid metabolism in periparturient dairy cows (Bos taurus)

BackgroundPeriparturient cows release fatty acid reserves from adipose tissue (AT) through lipolysis in response to the negative energy balance induced by physiological changes related to parturition and the onset of lactation. However, lipolysis causes inflammation and structural remodeling in AT that in excess predisposes cows to disease. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of the periparturient period on the transcriptomic profile of AT using NGS RNAseq.ResultsSubcutaneous AT samples were collected from Holstein cows (n =12) at 113.6 d before calving date (PreP) and at 6 +/- 1d (PP1) and 13 +/- 1.4d (PP2) after parturition. Differential expression analyses showed 1946 and 1524 DEG at PP1 and PP2, respectively, compared to PreP. Functional Enrichment Analysis revealed functions grouped in categories such as lipid metabolism, molecular transport, energy production, inflammation, and free radical scavenging to be affected by parturition and the onset of lactation (FDR