Enhanced adipogenesis and fatty acid transport in Tibetan pigs compared to Duroc pigs: insights from cellular heterogeneity by scRNA-seq

Tibetan pigs are known for their excellent fat deposition capacity and greater backfat thickness. In this study, scRNA-seq was performed to reveal the cellular heterogeneity of stromal vascular fraction (SVF) cells within porcine neck adipose tissues. Diverse cell types in neck adipose tissue were identified, including mesenchymal stem cells, preadipocytes, mature adipocytes, macrophages, endothelial cells and vascular smooth muscle cells. Tibetan pigs had a higher proportion of mature adipocytes and a greater tendency for preadipocytes to differentiate into mature adipocytes by pseudo-time analysis. Gene ontology analysis highlighted augment pathways related to fatty acid transport and thermogenesis in Tibetan pigs. In vitro experiments further confirmed the superior fat accumulation and fatty acid transport capacities of Tibetan pig SVF cells during adipocyte differentiation, supporting their enhanced fat deposition. Despite their superior adipogenesis, Tibetan pigs had less metabolic activity and oxygen consumption at both the SVF cells and mature adipocyte stages, indicating an adaptation to hypoxic environments at high elevations. This study provides valuable insights into the mechanisms of fat deposition in pigs and highlights the critical role of Tibetan pig adipose cells in hypoxia adaptation, offering guidance for improving fat content and stress resistance in pig breeding programs.