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ARS Home » Northeast Area » Beltsville, Maryland (BARC) » Beltsville Agricultural Research Center » Animal Biosciences & Biotechnology Laboratory » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #324975
Title: Nutrient transporter gene expression in poultry, livestock and fish

Author
item WONG, ERIC - Virginia Tech
item GILBERT, ELIZABETH - Virginia Tech
item Miska, Kate

Submitted to: Animal Biology
Publication Type: Book / Chapter
Publication Acceptance Date: 1/4/2017
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary: The purpose of this book chapter is to review the existing information on the mechanisms of nutrient utilization, primarily at the gene level in animals that are important to the farming industry, which includes poultry, livestock, as well as fish. The role of specific molecules alterations that are responsible for the uptake and processing of proteins and sugar included in diets is described, and how the presence and levels of these molecules change during animal development or with in diet, or under stresses such as cold or heat. The knowledge summarized in this manuscript may lead to increased efficiency in diet formulation and changes in husbandry that lead to more economical production of food animals.

Technical Abstract: The absorption of nutrients such as amino acids, peptides, monosaccharides and minerals by cells and tissues is mediated by a series of membrane bound transporters that are members of the solute carrier (SLC) gene family. These transporters regulate the influx and efflux of nutrients in a wide variety of tissues, but most studies have focused on the gastrointestinal tract. Profiles of the mRNA for these transporters show tissue- and development-specific expression that is affected by diet, environmental stressors and disease. The most extensive studies have been conducted in poultry (chickens, turkeys, pigeons) during the embryonic and post-hatch periods; however, a number of studies have also been conducted in livestock and fish. A more detailed understanding of the expression profiles of these nutrient transporters would allow the formulation of optimized diets to enhance nutrient uptake and growth performance. This would lead to more economical production of animals for food and fiber and reduce the impact of excess nutrients excreted into the environment.