Temperature Effects on Gene Expression in Turkey Satellite Cells.

As precursors to skeletal muscle, satellite cells mediate posthatch muscle growth.  The function of satellite cells is affected by temperature with long-term potential effects on muscle growth, accumulation of intramuscular fat and the incidence of muscle myopathies. Newly hatched turkey poults and chicks have immature thermoregulatory systems yet are often exposed to acute temperatures immediately posthatch.  Poultry selected for growth have an inefficient thermoregulatory system and are more sensitive to temperature extremes.  This study examined gene expression in cultured satellite cells under thermal challenge (cold and hot).  Turkey p. major satellite cells isolated from the RBC2 (control) and F (growth selected) lines were plated and replicate cell cultures were placed at 33 38 or 43C for 48 or 72 hr and RNA was extracted from harvested cells for RNAseq analysis.   Paired-end reads were obtained for 24 libraries.  Differential expression analysis found greater Time and Temperature effects than Line effects.  Understanding how both cold and hot temperatures affect satellite cell proliferation and differentiation can be used to identify and develop thermal management strategies to improve skeletal muscle growth.