# Plasma Hormone and Metabolomics Identifies Metabolic Pathways Associated with Growth Rate of Dezhou Donkeys

## TL;DR

This study identifies metabolic pathways and key metabolites in donkey plasma linked to growth rates, focusing on lipid metabolism and adaptation to cold environments.

## Contribution

The study reveals novel metabolic pathways and specific metabolites associated with donkey growth rates under similar feeding conditions.

## Key findings

- IGF-1 levels were significantly higher in the SG group compared to the FG group.
- Differentially abundant metabolites were primarily linked to lipid metabolism pathways like arachidonic acid and steroid hormone biosynthesis.
- Specific metabolites like 2,3-dinor-8-iso-PGF2α and testosterone were found to influence metabolic homeostasis and cold adaptation.

## Abstract

The growth traits of donkeys from the same farm under the same feeding conditions often vary. The results showed that the level of IGF-1 in the SG was significantly higher than that in the FG. The differentially abundant metabolites were related mainly to lipid metabolism, in which arachidonic acid metabolism, linoleic acid metabolism and steroid hormone biosynthesis played key roles. The main differentially abundant metabolites 2,3-dinor-8-iso-PGF2α, 11-DH-TXB2, 8(R)-HPETE, PGJ2, c9, t11-CLA, 12,13-DHOME, 9,10-DHOME, 9(10)-EpOME, 13-HPODE, DHEAS, testosterone, and corticosterone played important roles in metabolic homeostasis and affected the adaptation of donkeys to cold environments.

Background: The growth traits of donkeys from the same farm under the same feeding conditions often vary. Methods: In this study, Plasma hormone level and LC–MS-based metabolomics was used to identify the metabolic pathways and the key metabolites associated with the growth rate of Dezhou donkeys. Results: The level of IGF-1 in the SG was significantly higher than that in the FG. The differentially abundant metabolites were related mainly to lipid metabolism, in which arachidonic acid metabolism, linoleic acid metabolism and steroid hormone biosynthesis played key roles. The main differentially abundant metabolites 2,3-dinor-8-iso-PGF2α, 11-DH-TXB2, 8(R)-HPETE, PGJ2, c9, t11-CLA, 12,13-DHOME, 9,10-DHOME, 9(10)-EpOME, 13-HPODE, DHEAS, testosterone, and corticosterone played important roles in metabolic homeostasis and affected the adaptation of donkeys to cold environments. Conclusions: The present study revealed that the growth rate of donkeys is mainly influenced by their adaptation to the environment, providing a more in-depth study on the relationship between plasma metabolomics and growth rate in donkeys.