BACKGROUND: The selection of beef @entity291 for feed efficiency (FE) traits is very important not only for productive and economic efficiency but also for reduced environmental impact of livestock. Considering that FE is multifactorial and expensive to measure, the aim of this study was to identify biological functions and regulatory genes associated with this phenotype. RESULTS: Eight genes were differentially expressed between high and low feed efficient animals (HFE and LFE, respectively). Co-expression analyses identified 34 gene modules of which 4 were strongly associated with FE traits. They were mainly enriched for inflammatory response or @entity32 -related terms. We also identified 463 differentially co-expressed genes which were functionally enriched for immune response and lipid metabolism. A total of 8 key regulators of gene expression profiles affecting FE were found. The LFE animals had higher feed intake and increased subcutaneous and visceral fat deposition. In addition, LFE animals showed higher levels of serum @entity165 and @entity99 biomarker GGT. Histopathology of the liver showed higher percentage of @entity32 with mononuclear infiltrate. CONCLUSION: Liver transcriptomic network analysis coupled with other results demonstrated that LFE animals present altered lipid metabolism and increased @entity99 associated with an inflammatory response composed mainly by mononuclear cells. We are now focusing to identify the causes of @entity409 in LFE animals.

Liver transcriptomic networks reveal main biological processes associated with feed efficiency in beef XXXX .

@entity32 :: ('MESH:D007249', 'Disease') :: ['inflammation', 'periportal inflammation'] @entity409 :: ('MESH:D008107', 'Disease') :: ['increased liver lesions'] @entity99 :: ('MESH:D056486', 'Disease') :: ['hepatic periportal lesions', 'liver injury'] @entity291 :: ('9913', 'Species') :: ['cattle'] @entity165 :: ('MESH:D002784', 'Chemical') :: ['cholesterol']
@entity291 :: (9913,Species) :: ['cattle']
