Effects of androgen deficiency on visceral fat accumulation and inflammatory gene expression in miniature pigs under high-fat environment

  Objective: To investigate the effects of androgen deficiency on visceral fat deposition, serum hormones and inflammation-related gene expression in miniature pigs in a high-fat environment.

  Methods: Sexually mature male Wuzhishan miniature pigs were randomly divided into three groups, namely, non-castration group (SHAM), castration group (CAS) and castration plus testosterone group (CAS+T), each with 6 animals, all animals were Feed high-fat feed. At the end of the 12-week experiment, blood was collected to detect changes in serum hormone levels, visceral fat was separated and weighed, and fluorescent quantitative PCR technology was used to detect the expression of fat synthesis and lipolysis genes and inflammation-related genes.

  Results: (1) Castration significantly reduced the serum testosterone content of high-fat diet miniature pigs but increased their serum leptin content. Exogenous testosterone treatment can restore the serum testosterone and leptin levels of castrated miniature pigs; (2) Castration caused High-fat diet miniature pigs have a large amount of visceral fat deposition. After treatment with testosterone, the visceral fat content of castrated miniature pigs is significantly reduced; (3) Castration and testosterone treatment affect the visceral fat tissue FAS, ACC, HSL and ATGL of high-fat diet miniature pigs, etc. Fat metabolism gene expression has no significant effect; (4) Castration significantly increases the expression of inflammatory genes such as Leptin, CD68, CCL16, CCL23 and SAA in the visceral adipose tissue of high-fat diet miniature pigs, and exogenous testosterone treatment of castrated miniature pigs Can reduce the expression of the above genes.

  Conclusion: Castration-induced androgen deficiency promotes visceral fat deposition in high-fat diet miniature pigs and up-regulates the expression of inflammatory genes in their visceral adipose tissue. Treatment with testosterone can improve visceral fat accumulation and inflammation in castrated miniature pigs.