The differential proliferation and differentiation ability of skeletal muscle satellite cell in Boer and Nanjiang brown goats

Here, for the first time, we analyzed skeletal muscle morphology in Boer and Nanjiang Brown (NJ) goats and then evaluated the differences in skeletal muscle satellite cells (SMSCs) proliferation and differentiation ability between the two breeds. Our results revealed that NJ goats had significantly more myofiber cells and a significantly smaller cross-section area compared with the Boer goats (P < 0.01). The Pax7, p38MAPK and MEF2A were more enriched in all three muscles of NJ goats, while the expressions of MyoG, TAK1, and MKK6 presented the opposite tendency. Additionally, MEF2C, MyoD and MKK3 exhibited somewhat muscle-type specific expression patterns. During proliferation there were significantly more SMSCs in NJ goats compared with Boer goats on days 3, 4, and 5 (P < 0.05). Moreover, the SMSCs fusion rate was higher in NJ goats than in Boer goats during the entire differentiation stage, though only significant on the 6th day (P < 0.05). The Pax7, MyoD, MKK3/6, p38MAPK, and MEF2C expression levels in NJ goat SMSCs were significantly higher than those in Boer goat SMSCs (P < 0.05). In conclusion, these findings indicate that SMSCs proliferation and differentiation potential were higher in NJ goats than in Boer goats, which possibly contribute to the meat-produce difference between the two breeds.