Plasma metabolomics characterization of bovines raised in the Pantanal area

• Grant number: 22/07950-3
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: September 01, 2022
• End date: December 31, 2023
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Animal Husbandry - Animal Production
• Principal Investigator: Nara Regina Brandão Cônsolo
• Grantee: Eduardo Solano Pina dos Santos
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Zootecnia e Engenharia de Alimentos (FZEA). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Pirassununga , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 20/08845-3 - The metabolomic approach to improve Nellore beef tenderness: a concept of metabotype and biomarkers, AP.JP
• Associated scholarship(s): 23/02311-5 - In-depth analysis of serum metabolomics, meat quality spectroscopic and imaging data, BE.EP.IC

Abstract

The use of metabolomics in animal production has provided the depth knowledge of the molecular bases that integrate several lines of research. With the increasing need to improve animal production efficiency, there is a great interest in the knowledge of animal adaptation in certain areas, especially with regard to the adaptation of breeds in specific biomes. Considering the number of animals on the extinction list every year, it is essential to investigate the preservation of species at high risk of extinction, especially endemic species in Brazil. In this context, in order to increase the knowledge about breeds adapted to the Pantanal biome, the present study proposes the creation of the first metabolomics database of the Pantaneiro and Curraleiro breeds. The results of the present study will improve the knowledge of the molecular bases correlated with these breeds and will the possibility of metabolomic pathways exploration correlated to the traits of resistance, adaptability, and origin of these animals. For the experiment, 30 blood plasma samples will be used, 15 from Pantaneiro and 15 from Curraleiro breeds. The samples were collected from UFGD and UEMS herds. The plasma samples will be prepared and the metabolites will be identified and quantified by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). The analyzes will be performed in partnership with EMBRAPA Instrumentação and UFGD. The NMR spectra will be processed by Chenomx software, and the data analysis will be performed by MetaboAnalyst through uni, multi and megavariate tools. The results will be published at the Scientific Initiation congress at USP, and in the form of an article that will be submitted to a high-impact journal.(AU)