Metabolomic analysis of plasma and intramuscular adipose tissue between Wagyu and Holstein cattle

In this experiment, we studied the effects of breed differences in intramuscular adipogenic capacity on the metabolomic profiles of plasma and intramuscular adipose tissue between Wagyu (high intramuscular adipogenic capacity) and Holstein (low intramuscular adipogenic capacity) using capillary electrophoresis time-of-flight mass spectrometry (CE-TOFMS). We showed that the intramuscular fat content, intramuscular adipocyte size and the expression of adipogenic transcription factors (C/EBPβ and C/EBPα) of Wagyu were significantly higher than those of Holstein. Metabolites detected at significantly higher levels in Wagyu plasma were related to the tricarboxylic acid cycle, lipid synthesis, fatty acid metabolism, diabetes, and glucose homeostasis. In contrast, metabolites detected at significantly higher levels in Holstein plasma were related to choline metabolism, the ethanolamine pathway, glutathione homeostasis, nucleic acid metabolism, and amino acid metabolism. Metabolites detected at significantly higher levels in Holstein intramuscular adipose tissue were related to nucleic acid metabolism, amino acid metabolism, amino sugar metabolism, beta oxidation, and the ethanolamine pathway. There were no metabolites significantly higher levels in Wagyu intramuscular adipose tissue. These results indicate candidate biomarkers of breed differences in intramuscular adipogenic capacity between Wagyu and Holstein.