Transcriptome sequencing of lion-head fatty liver formation
Geese evolved from migratory birds that convert glucose into triglycerides when they consume too much high-energy feed. A large amount of triglyceride deposition can cause incomplete oxidation of fatty acids, leading to lipid accumulation in the liver and the formation of fatty liver. In the Chaoshan region of Guangdong, China, lionhead geese developed a unique form of fatty liver from overeating brown rice for 24 hours, a common practice in local agriculture. To investigate the mechanism of fatty liver formation in lion-headed geese, liver samples from normally fed (control group) and overfed (treatment group) geese were collected for transcriptional sequencing.