Arthrospira platensis: a novel feed supplement influences gene expression in the hearth, kidney and liver of prime lambs

Transcriptional patterns in the expression of genes controlling lipid metabolism in supplemented sheep are currently unknown, thus quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was used to assess the messenger RNA (mRNA) transcription levels and expressions of Aralkylamine N-acetyltransferase (AANAT), Adrenergic beta-3 receptor (ADRB3), B-cell translocation gene 2 (BTG2), and Fatty acid synthase (FASN) genes. The aim was to assess the effect of dietary supplementation with Spirulina, a blue-green cyanobacterial microalga, on the expression of genes controlling fatty acid metabolism in the heart, kidney and liver of prime lambs. In total, 432 heart, kidney and liver samples from 48 purebred and crossbred Merino prime lambs supplemented with low or high levels of Spirulina over a 9-week period were utilized for the study. Both the low and high levels of Spirulina supplementation regimes strongly up-regulated the transcription of all the selected genes. Sire breed and sex of lamb did not influence gene expression patterns; however, significant variations in response to Spirulina supplementation underpin the genetics-nutrition interactions that could be of practical importance for manipulating meat quality in the Australian dual-purpose prime lamb industry for a healthy polyunsaturated fatty acid profile.