# Mechanisms Underlying Drought Adaptability in Duolang Sheep Based on Metabolomic and Transcriptomic Analyses

## TL;DR

This study explores how Duolang sheep adapt to drought by analyzing their metabolomic and transcriptomic profiles, revealing key genes and metabolites involved in their survival in arid environments.

## Contribution

The study identifies novel genes and metabolites linked to drought adaptability in Duolang sheep through integrated multi-omics analyses.

## Key findings

- Southern group sheep showed higher levels of GSH-Px, IL-2, and IgG, indicating enhanced antioxidant and immune functions.
- Key metabolites like EPA, choline, glutathione, and taurine were found to be involved in lipid and sulfur metabolism.
- Genes such as FGF21, CD14, and AVPR2 were differentially expressed, contributing to energy metabolism and stress resistance.

## Abstract

This study investigates the drought adaptability of Duolang Sheep, with the goal of identifying key regulatory factors involved in this trait. To achieve this, we conducted integrated analyses using serum biochemical assays, untargeted metabolomics, and eukaryotic reference-based transcriptomics. Our findings provide a theoretical foundation for identifying resistance-related genes in Duolang Sheep under arid conditions and offer valuable insights for the genetic improvement of this breed.

This study investigates the mechanisms underlying drought adaptability in Duolang sheep, a local breed from two distinct habitats in Xinjiang—an arid southern region and a grassland northern region—aiming to identify key factors driving differential environmental adaptation. Integrated multi-omics analyses were performed, including serum biochemical assays, untargeted metabolomics of perirenal and tail fat tissues, and transcriptomic profiling of lung, liver, and kidney samples. Our results revealed notable differences: (1) serum levels of GSH-Px, IL-2, and IgG were significantly higher in the southern group (p < 0.01); (2) metabolomic analysis identified key differential metabolites, including EPA (involved in unsaturated fatty acid biosynthesis), choline (glycerophospholipid metabolism), L-serine and glutathione (cofactor biosynthesis), and taurine (sulfur metabolism); and (3) transcriptomic analysis revealed significant differential expression of genes such as FGF21 (thermogenesis), CD14 and DUSP2 (MAPK signaling pathway), GOT1 (arginine biosynthesis), and AVPR2 (vasopressin-regulated water reabsorption). Integrative correlation analysis further indicated that glutathione, EPA, GOT1, and CD14 are involved in energy and lipid metabolism, while taurine, AVPR2, and DUSP2 contribute to oxidative stress resistance and immune regulation. These molecular and metabolic adjustments collectively enhance drought adaptability in southern Xinjiang Duolang sheep. In conclusion, adaptation to arid environments requires enhanced antioxidant capacity and immune function, with metabolites such as EPA supporting lipid metabolism and genes such as FGF21 regulating fatty acid oxidation to limit triglyceride accumulation.