Effects of Combined Transcriptome and Metabolome Analysis Training on Athletic Performance of 2-Year-Old Trot-Type Yili Horses.
Abstract: Training is essential for enhancing equine athletic performance, but the genetic mechanisms that regulate athletic performance are unknown. Therefore, this paper aims to identify candidate genes and metabolic pathways for the effects of training on equine athletic performance through multi-omics analyses. Methods: The experiment selected 12 untrained trot-type Yili horses, which underwent a 12-week professional training program. Blood samples were collected at rest before training (BT) and after training (AT). Based on their race performance, whole blood and serum samples from 4 horses were chosen for transcriptomic and metabolomic analyses. Results: The race performance of the horses is dramatically improved in the AT period compared to the BT ( < 0.01) period. The transcriptome analysis identified a total of 57 differentially expressed genes, which were significantly enriched in pathways related to circadian entrainment, steroid hormone biosynthesis, chemokine signaling, and cholinergic synapses ( < 0.05). Additionally, metabolomic analysis revealed 121 differentially identified metabolites, primarily enriched in metabolic pathways such as histidine metabolism, purine metabolism, and the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway. The integration of transcriptomic and metabolomic analyses uncovered five shared pathways, and further combined pathway analyses identified eight differentially expressed genes that correlate with 19 differentially identified metabolites. Conclusions: The current findings will contribute to establishing a theoretical framework for investigating the molecular mechanisms of genes associated with the impact of training on equine athletic performance. Additionally, these results will serve as a foundation for enhancing the athletic capabilities of trot-type Yili horses.
Publication Date: 2025-02-04 PubMed ID: 40004526PubMed Central: PMC11855102DOI: 10.3390/genes16020197Google Scholar: Lookup
The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
- Journal Article
Summary
This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.
The research article set out to understand how training influences the genetic and metabolic factors that impact the athletic performance of young Yili horses. A 12-week training program was implemented and changes in metabolites and genes noticed from the start to the end of the training program were analyzed.
Methods
- A sample group of 12 previously untrained trot-type Yili horses was selected for the study.
- These horses then underwent a 12-week professional training program.
- The researchers collected blood samples from the horses both before the program began (BT) and after it concluded(AT).
- From the whole group, samples from four horses were picked based on their improved performance to undergo additional tests (transcriptomic and metabolomic analyses).
Results
- After training, the horses’ performance in races significantly improved compared to their performance before training (p < 0.01).
- The transcriptome analysis showed a total of 57 differentially expressed genes, significantly involved in pathways relevant to circadian entrainment, steroid hormone biosynthesis, chemokine signaling, and cholinergic synapses (p < 0.05).
- Additionally, metabolomic analysis displayed 121 differentially identified metabolites that were primarily concentrated in histidine metabolism, purine metabolism, and the PI3K-Akt signaling pathways.
- A combined analysis of the transcriptomes and metabolomes revealed five shared pathways.
- Further combined pathway analysis pointed out eight differentially expressed genes that correlate with 19 differentially identified metabolites.
Conclusion
- The researchers conclude that these findings could provide a basis for a theoretical framework that will allow for better understanding of the molecular-genetic mechanisms affected by training in equine athletic performance.
- Additionally, the results from the research stand to be used in the future to enhance the athletic capabilities of trot-type Yili horses.
Cite This Article
APA
Yang L, Li P, Huang X, Wang C, Zeng Y, Wang J, Yao X, Meng J.
(2025).
Effects of Combined Transcriptome and Metabolome Analysis Training on Athletic Performance of 2-Year-Old Trot-Type Yili Horses.
Genes (Basel), 16(2), 197.
https://doi.org/10.3390/genes16020197 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- College of Animal Science, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Urumqi 830052, China.
- College of Animal Science, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Urumqi 830052, China.
- College of Animal Science, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Urumqi 830052, China.
- College of Animal Science, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Urumqi 830052, China.
- College of Animal Science, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Urumqi 830052, China.
- Xinjiang Key Laboratory of Equine Breeding and Exercise Physiology, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Urumqi 830052, China.
- Horse Industry Research Institute, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Urumqi 830052, China.
- College of Animal Science, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Urumqi 830052, China.
- Xinjiang Key Laboratory of Equine Breeding and Exercise Physiology, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Urumqi 830052, China.
- Horse Industry Research Institute, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Urumqi 830052, China.
- College of Animal Science, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Urumqi 830052, China.
- Xinjiang Key Laboratory of Equine Breeding and Exercise Physiology, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Urumqi 830052, China.
- Horse Industry Research Institute, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Urumqi 830052, China.
- College of Animal Science, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Urumqi 830052, China.
- Xinjiang Key Laboratory of Equine Breeding and Exercise Physiology, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Urumqi 830052, China.
- Horse Industry Research Institute, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Urumqi 830052, China.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Horses / genetics
- Physical Conditioning, Animal
- Transcriptome
- Metabolome
- Gene Expression Profiling / methods
- Male
- Metabolomics / methods
- Female
Grant Funding
- 2022A02013-1 / Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region's Major Science and Technology Project
- PT2311 / Special Programme for Construction of Innovation Environment (Talents and Bases) in Autonomous Region
- ZYYD2023C02 / Central Guided Local Science and Technology Development Special Funds Project
Conflict of Interest Statement
The authors declare no conflicts of interest.
References
This article includes 61 references
- Li J.X., Sánchez-García R.. Chinese equestrian policy development: A narrative review.. Front. Vet. Sci. 2024;10:1281019.
- di Corcia M., Tartaglia N., Polito R., Ambrosi A., Messina G., Francavilla V.C., Cincione R.I., Della Malva A., Ciliberti M.G., Sevi A.. Functional properties of meat in athletes’ performance and recovery.. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health. 2022;19:5145.
- Phomsoupha M., Berger Q., Laffaye G.. Multiple repeated sprint ability test for badminton players involving four changes of direction: Validity and reliability (part 1). J. Strength Cond. Res. 2018;32:423–431.
- Zhao W., Wang C.Q., Bi Y., Chen L.X.. Effect of integrative neuromuscular training for injury prevention and sports performance of female badminton players.. BioMed Res. Int. 2021;2021:5555853.
- Fiorenza M., Hostrup M., Gunnarsson T.P., Shirai Y., Schena F., Iaia F.M., Bangsbo J.. Neuromuscular fatigue and metabolism during high-intensity intermittent exercise.. Med. Sci. Sports Exerc. 2019;51:1642–1652.
- Kowalik S., Wiśniewska A., Kędzierski W., Janczarek L.. Concentrations of circulating irisin and myostatin in race and endurace purebred Arabian horses-preliminary study.. Animals 2020;10:2268.
- Fernandez J., Granacher U., Sanz-Rivas D., Marín J.M.S., Hernandez-Davo J.L., Moya M.. Sequencing effects of neuromuscular training on physical fitness in youth elite tennis players.. J. Strength Cond. Res. 2018;32:849–856.
- Jing H., Ding Y., Jiang X., Liu G., Sha Y.. RNA-Seq reveals ACTH-induced steroid hormone pathway participating in goat adrenal gland response to castration.. Sci. Rep. 2023;13:14025.
- Su L., Yang C.L., Meng J.Y., Zhou L., Zhang C.Y.. Comparative transcriptome and metabolome analysis of Ostrinia furnacalis female adults under UV-A exposure.. Sci. Rep. 2021;11:6797.
- Li G.S., Yu X.T., Portela Fontoura A.B., Javaid A., Maza-Escolà V.S., Salandy N.S., Fubini S.L., Grilli E., McFadden J.W., Duan J.E.. Transcriptomic regulations of heat stress response in the liver of lactating dairy cows.. BMC Genom. 2023;24:410.
- Bello S.F., Xu H.P., Guo L.J., Li K., Zheng M., Xu Y.B., Zhang S.Y., Bekele E.J., Bahareldin A.A., Zhu W.J.. Hypothalamic and ovarian transcriptome profiling reveals potential candidate genes in low and high egg production of white Muscovy ducks (Cairina moschata). Poult. Sci. 2021;100:101310.
- Yee E.M., Hauser C.T., Petrocelli J.J., de Hart N.M.M.P., Ferrara P.J., Bombyck P., Fennel Z.J., Onselen L.V., Mookerjee S., Funai K.. Treadmill training does not enhance skeletal muscle recovery following disuse atrophy in older male mice.. Front. Physiol. 2023;14:1263500.
- McGivney B.A., McGettigan P.A., Browne J.A., Evans A.C.O., Fonseca R.G., Lohan A.J.. Characterization of the equine skeletal muscle transcriptome identifies novel functional responses to exercise training.. BMC Genom. 2010;11:1–17.
- Núñez Y., Radović Č., Savić R., García-Casco J.M., Čandek-Potokar M., Benítez R., Radojković D., Lukić M., Gogić M., Muñoz M.. Muscle transcriptome analysis reveals molecular pathways related to oxidative phosphorylation, antioxidant defense, fatness and growth in mangalitsa and moravka pigs.. Animals 2021;11:844.
- Balasubramanian P., Schaar A.E., Gustafson G.E., Smith A., Howell P.R., Greenman A.C., Baum S., Colman R.J., Lamming D.W., Diffee G.M.. Adiponectin receptor agonist AdipoRon improves skeletal muscle function in aged mice.. eLife 2022;11:e71282.
- Kim B., Min Y., Jeong Y., Ramani S., Lim H., Jo Y., Kim W., Choi Y.J., Park S.. Comparison of growth performance and related gene expression of muscle and fat from Landrace, Yorkshire, and Duroc and Woori black pigs.. J. Anim. Sci. Technol. 2023;65:160.
- Hou J.L., Yang W.Y., Zhang Q., Feng H., Wang X.B., Li H., Zhou S., Xiao S.M.. Integration of metabolomics and transcriptomics to reveal the metabolic characteristics of exercise-improved bone mass.. Nutrients 2023;15:1694.
- Isung J., Granqvist M., Trepci A., Huang J., Schwieler L., Kierkegaard M., Erhardt S., Jokinen J., Piehl F.. Differential effects on blood and cerebrospinal fluid immune protein markers and kynurenine pathway metabolites from aerobic physical exercise in healthy subjects.. Sci. Rep. 2021;11:1669.
- Briand J., Deguire S., Gaudet S., Bieuzen F.. Monitoring variables influence on random forest models to forecast injuries in short-track speed skating.. Front. Sports Act. Living. 2022;4:896828.
- Li X.Y., Wang J.W., Yao X.K., Zeng Y.Q., Wang C.K., Ren W.L., Yuan X.X., Wang T.L., Meng J.. Transcriptome blood profile of the Yili horse before and after training.. Acta Vet. Brno. 2024;93:159–167.
- Khan I.M., Cao Z., Liu H., Khan A., Rahman S.U., Khan M.Z., Sathanawongs A., Zhang Y.H.. Impact of cryopreservation on spermatozoa freeze-thawed traits and relevance OMICS to assess sperm Cryo-tolerance in farm animals.. Front. Vet. Sci. 2021;8:609180.
- Horikoshi Y., Yan Y., Terashvili M., Wells C., Horikoshi H., Fujita S., Bošnjak Ž.J., Bai X.W.. Fatty acid-treated induced pluripotent stem cell-derived human cardiomyocytes exhibit adult cardiomyocyte-like energy metabolism phenotypes.. Cells 2019;8:1095.
- Liu X., Liu L., Wang J., Cui H., Zhao G.P., Wen J.. FOSL2 is involved in the regulation of glycogen content in chicken breast muscle tissue.. Front. Physiol. 2021;12:682441.
- Zhang J.H., Chen Y.X., Chen T.F., Miao B.C., Tang Z.F., Hu X., Luo Y.L., Zheng T., Na N.. Single-cell transcriptomics provides new insights into the role of fibroblasts during peritoneal fibrosis.. Clin. Transl. Med. 2021;11:e321.
- Arisi G.M., Foresti M.L., Katki K., Shapiro L.A.. Increased CCL2, CCL3, CCL5, and IL-1β cytokine concentration in piriform cortex, hippocampus, and neocortex after pilocarpine-induced seizures.. J. Neuroinflamm. 2015;12:129.
- Szalay G., Martinecz B., Lénárt N., Környei Z., Orsolits B., Judák L., Császár E., Fekete R., West B.L., Katona G.. Microglia protect against brain injury and their selective elimination dysregulates neuronal network activity after stroke.. Nat. Commun. 2016;7:11499.
- Reißmann M., Rajavel A., Kokov Z.A., Schmitt A.O.. Identification of differentially expressed genes after endurance runs in Karbadian horses to determine candidates for stress indicators and performance capability.. Genes 2023;14:1982.
- Savova M.S., Mihaylova L.V., Tews D., Wabitsch M., Georgiev M.I.. Targeting PI3K/AKT signaling pathway in obesity.. Biomed. Pharmacother. 2023;159:114244.
- Torre-Villalvazo I., Alemán-Escondrillas G., Valle-Ríos R., Noriega L.G.. Protein intake and amino acid supplementation regulate exercise recovery and performance through the modulation of mTOR, AMPK, FGF21, and immunity.. Nutr. Res. 2019;72:1–17.
- McGivney B.A., Eivers S.S., MacHugh D.E., MacLeod J.N., O’Gorman G.M., Park S.D., Katz L.M., Hill E.W.. Transcriptional adaptations following exercise in thoroughbred horse skeletal muscle highlights molecular mechanisms that lead to muscle hypertrophy.. BMC Genom. 2009;10:638.
- Takegaki J., Ogasawara R., Tamura Y., Takagi R., Arihara Y., Tsutaki A., Nakazato K., Ishii N.. Repeated bouts of resistance exercise with short recovery periods activates mTOR signaling, but not protein synthesis, in mouse skeletal muscle.. Physiol. Rep. 2017;5:e13515.
- Crespo-Piazuelo D., Criado-Mesas L., Revilla M., Castelló A., Fernández A., Folch J.M., Ballester M.. Indel detection from whole genome sequencing data and association with lipid metabolism in pigs.. PLoS ONE 2019;14:e0218862.
- Fadaei R., Moradi N., Kazemi T., Chamani E., Azdaki N., Moezibady S.A., Shahmohamadnejad S., Fallah S.. Decreased serum levels of CTRP12/adipolin in patients with coronary artery disease in relation to inflammatory cytokines and insulin resistance.. Cytokine 2019;113:326–331.
- Smajdor J., Paczosa-Bator B., Piech R.. Advances on hormones and steroids determination: A review of voltammetric methods since 2000.. Membranes 2022;12:1225.
- Azhar S., Dong D., Shen W.J., Hu Z., Kraemer F.B.. The role of miRNAs in regulating adrenal and gonadal steroidogenesis.. J. Mol. Endocrinol. 2020;64:R21–R43.
- Harahap N.S., Lelo A., Purba A., Sibuea A., Amelia R., Zulaini Z.. The effect of red-fleshed pitaya (Hylocereus polyrhizus) on heat shock protein 70 and cortisol expression in strenuous exercise induced rats.. F1000Research 2019;8:130.
- Hilborn E., Stål O., Alexeyenko A., Jansson A.. The regulation of hydroxysteroid 17β-dehydrogenase type 1 and 2 gene expression in breast cancer cell lines by estradiol, dihydrotestosterone, microRNAs, and genes related to breast cancer.. Oncotarget 2017;8:62183.
- Kraemer W.J., Ratamess N.A., Hymer W.C., Nindl B.C., Fragala M.S.. Growth hormone(s), testosterone, insulin-like growth factors, and cortisol: Roles and integration for cellular development and growth with exercise.. Front. Endocrinol. 2020;11:33.
- Golds G., Houdek D., Arnason T.. Male hypogonadism and osteoporosis: The effects, clinical consequences, and treatment of testosterone deficiency in bone health.. Int. J. Endocrinol. 2017;2017:4602129.
- Hackney A.C., Willett H.N.. Testosterone responses to intensive, prolonged endurance exercise in women.. Endocrines 2020;1:119–124.
- Whitham J.C., Bryant J.L., Miller L.J.. Beyond glucocorticoids: Integrating dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) into animal welfare research.. Animals 2020;10:1381.
- Swanepoel A.A., Truter C., Viljoen F.P., Myburgh J.G., Harvey B.H.. Temporal dynamics of plasma catecholamines, metabolic and immune markers, and the corticosterone: DHEA Ratio in farmed crocodiles before and after an acute stressor.. Animals 2024;14:2236.
- Yin F.J., Kang J., Han N.N., Ma H.W.. Effect of dehydroepiandrosterone treatment on hormone levels and antioxidant parameters in aged rats.. Genet. Mol. Res. 2015;14:11300–11311.
- Chaterjee S., Mondal S.. Effect of regular yogic training on growth hormone and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate as an endocrine marker of aging.. Evid. Based Complement. Altern. Med. 2014;2014:240581.
- Holeček M.. Histidine in health and disease: Metabolism, physiological importance, and use as a supplement.. Nutrients 2020;12:848.
- Gu M., Wang S., Di A., Wu D., Hai C., Liu X.F., Bai C.L., Su G.H., Yang L., Li G.P.. Combined transcriptome and metabolome analysis of smooth muscle of myostatin knockout cattle.. Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2023;24:8120.
- Halliwell B., Cheah I.K., Drum C.L.. Ergothioneine, an adaptive antioxidant for the protection of injured tissues? A hypothesis.. Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 2016;470:245–250.
- Cheah I.K., Tang R.M.Y., Yew T.S.Z., Lim K.H.C., Halliwelll B.. Administration of pure ergothioneine to healthy human subjects: Uptake, metabolism, and effects on biomarkers of oxidative damage and inflammation.. Antioxid. Redox Signal. 2017;26:193–206.
- Fovet T., Guilhot C., Delobel P., Chopard A., Py G., Brioche T.. Ergothioneine improves aerobic performance without any negative effect on early muscle recovery signaling in response to acute exercise.. Front. Physiol. 2022;13:834597.
- Church D.D., Hoffman J.R., Varanoske A.N., Wang R., Baker K.M., La Monica M.B., Beyer K.S., Dodd S.J., Oliveira L.P., Harris R.C.. Comparison of two β-alanine dosing protocols on muscle carnosine elevations.. J. Am. Coll. Nutr. 2017;36:608–616.
- Hoffman J.R., Landau G., Stout J.R., Hoffman M.W., Sharvit N., Rosen P., Moran D.S., Fukuda D.H., Shelef I., Carmom E.. β-Alanine ingestion increases muscle carnosine content and combat specific performance in tactical athletes.. Med. Sci. Sports Exerc. 2015;47:581.
- Suzuki Y., Ito O., Mukai N., Takahashi H., Takamats K.. High level of skeletal muscle carnosine contributes to the latter half of exercise performance during 30-s maximal cycle ergometer sprinting.. Jpn. J. Physiol. 2002;52:199–205.
- Baguet A., Bourgois J., Vanhee L., Achten E., Derave W.. Important role of muscle carnosine in rowing performance.. J. Appl. Physiol. 2010;109:1096–1101.
- Townsend J.R., Hoffman J.R., Fragala M.S., Oliveira L.P., Jajtner A.R., Fukuda D.H., Stout J.R.. A microbiopsy method for immunohistological and morphological analysis: A pilot study.. Med. Sci. Sports Exerc. 2016;48:331–335.
- Kuleš J., Rubić I., Beer Ljubić B., Bilić P., Barić Rafaj R., Brkljačić M., Burchmore R., Eckersall D., Mrljak V.. Combined untargeted and targeted metabolomics approaches reveal urinary changes of amino acids and energy metabolism in canine babesiosis with different levels of kidney function.. Front. Microbiol. 2021;12:715701.
- Zeng Z., Li M., Jiang Z., Lan Y.X., Chen L., Chen Y.J., Li H.L., Hui J.W., Zhang L.J., Hu X.L.. Integrated transcriptomic and metabolomic profiling reveals dysregulation of purine metabolism during the acute phase of spinal cord injury in rats.. Front. Neurosci. 2022;16:1066528.
- Rodgers R.L.. Glucagon, cyclic AMP, and hepatic glucose mobilization: A half-century of uncertainty.. Physiol. Rep. 2022;10:e15263.
- Gaitán J.M., Moon H.Y., Stremlau M., Dubal D.B., Cook D.B., Okonkwo O.C., Praag H.V.. Effects of aerobic exercise training on systemic biomarkers and cognition in late middle-aged adults at risk for Alzheimer’s disease.. Front. Endocrinol. 2021;12:660181.
- Rathmacher J.A., Fuller J.C., Baier S.M., Abumrad N.N., Angus H.F., Sharp R.L.. Adenosine-5′-triphosphate (ATP) supplementation improves low peak muscle torque and torque fatigue during repeated high intensity exercise sets.. J. Int. Soc. Sports Nutr. 2012;9:48.
- Polčic P.. Naming the Cycle: On the Etymology of the Citric Acid Cycle Intermediates.. J. Chem. Educ. 2018;95:1894–1896.
- Huang C.C., Lin W.T., Hsu F.L., Tsai P.W., Hou C.C.. Metabolomics investigation of exercise-modulated changes in metabolism in rat liver after exhaustive and endurance exercises.. Eur. J. Appl. Physiol. 2010;108:557–566.
Citations
This article has been cited 0 times.Use Nutrition Calculator
Check if your horse's diet meets their nutrition requirements with our easy-to-use tool Check your horse's diet with our easy-to-use tool
Talk to a Nutritionist
Discuss your horse's feeding plan with our experts over a free phone consultation Discuss your horse's diet over a phone consultation
Submit Diet Evaluation
Get a customized feeding plan for your horse formulated by our equine nutritionists Get a custom feeding plan formulated by our nutritionists