Metabolic performance in piglets - What does sperm small RNA have to do with it?

Offspring health and performance depend on optimal growth during embryogenesis, where uterine capacity and litter size are known limiting factors.

In rodents, paternal non-genetic factors—like dietary intake—have repeatedly shown to introduce changes to sperm small RNA that affect embryonic development and offspring metabolic health. Studies of such paternal intergenerational metabolic responses (IGMR) are largely missing in agricultural species.

Given the clear relevance for the industry—where small differences in offspring metabolic health can have large economic consequences—the purpose of this project is to pioneer the study of paternal IGMR in agricultural research.

First, by using my experience from other species, I will develop the critical methods for small RNA analysis in agricultural species, focusing on pigs. This involves releasing a bioinformatic tool capable of analyzing novel small RNAs known to be involved in IGMR. Next, I will perform a diet intervention on boars to identify diet- and breed- sensitive sperm small RNAs.

Candidate small RNAs will then be microinjected into porcine embryos to screen for growth and metabolic effects.

Finally, affected embryos will be implanted into surrogate sows and postnatal metabolic performance will be evaluated in the piglets born.

This project has the potential to generate a new field in agricultural research, involving the non-genetic programming of embryos to optimize animal health, welfare and performance.