# Effects of guanidinoacetic acid on gene expression in adipose tissue of broiler chickens: a differential expression analysis based on small RNA sequencing

## TL;DR

This study explores how guanidinoacetic acid reduces abdominal fat in chickens by analyzing microRNA activity and its impact on lipid metabolism.

## Contribution

The study identifies specific microRNAs regulated by GAA that target genes involved in lipid metabolism in broiler chickens.

## Key findings

- 46 differentially expressed miRNAs were identified in GAA-treated broilers.
- GAA up-regulates gga-miR-103-3p and gga-miR-107-3p, which inhibit lipid-related genes SCD and TMEM35B.
- The miRNAs are enriched in pathways related to lipid metabolism, suggesting a mechanism for reduced fat deposition.

## Abstract

This study aims to elucidate the mechanism by which guanidinoacetic acid (GAA) reduces abdominal fat deposition in broilers, focusing on the regulatory role of microRNAs (miRNAs). Excessive fat accumulation in the abdomen is a common issue in meat-type chickens as it reduces feed efficiency and compromises meat quality. By performing small RNA (sRNA) sequencing and analysis on broilers from GAA-treated and control groups, a total of 46 differentially expressed miRNAs were identified. Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analyses indicated that these miRNAs were significantly enriched in pathways related to lipid metabolism. Further investigation revealed that GAA likely reduces fat deposition and promotes lipid oxidation by up-regulating gga-miR-103-3p and gga-miR-107-3p, thereby inhibiting their target genes, stearoyl-CoA desaturase (SCD) and transmembrane protein 35B (TMEM35B). These findings provide a theoretical foundation for the application of GAA to improve growth performance and meat quality in broilers.