Integrated transcriptomic and metabolomic analyses reveal the regulatory mechanism of subcutaneous fat deposition in Baicheng Oil chickens.

To investigate the differences in meat quality between high (FH) and low (FL) subcutaneous fat thickness in Baicheng oil chickens and their possible regulatory mechanisms, this study jointly analysed the transcriptome and metabolome characteristics of the liver and subcutaneous fat tissue of Baicheng oil chickens. The results showed that there were significant differences in muscle fatty acid content between the FH and FL groups. Through a combined analysis of the transcriptome and metabolome of the liver and subcutaneous fat tissue of Baicheng oil chickens, differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and metabolites such as ArfGAP with RhoGAP domain, ankyrin repeat and PH domain 2 (ARAP2)-N-Acetylhistidine, phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase 1 (PCK1)-ACar 16:1, and PCK1-ACar 20:2 were identified as having significant correlations, synergistically regulating the lipid metabolism process in chickens. This study contributes to an in-depth understanding of the mechanisms of fat regulation and the formation of excellent meat quality traits in local chickens and provides a basis for the identification of biomarkers of breeding value.