Reference gene selection and prednisolone target gene expression in adipose tissues of Friesian cattle

Corticosteroids are frequently used in livestock production and their use is permitted by EU for therapeutic purpose only. However, low doses of corticosteroids are often administered in meat-producing animals to improve zootechnical performances. Prednisolone is one of the most commonly used corticosteroids with growth promoting purpose in animal husbandry. This study proposes to identify a gene whose expression is significantly regulated by prednisolone in visceral and subcutaneous adipose tissues. The analysis was conducted on Friesian cattle treated with prednisolone (30 mg day-1). Reference gene expression stability and optimal number for gene expression normalization were calculated. Family with sequence similarity 107 member A (FAM107A) and pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase 4 (PDK4) are the prednisolone target genes identified in adipose tissue. FAM107A only was down regulated of about 2.9-fold by prednisolone in subcutaneous adipose tissue. This result suggests that FAM107A could be a possible indirect biomarker of prednisolone treatment in cattle and encourages a deeper investigation in this direction.