Zhu Li, Tang Lin, Zhang Kang, Nie Hongyu, Gou Xiao, Kong Xiaoyan, Deng Weidong
Yunnan Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition and Feed Science, Faculty of Animal Science and Technology, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming 650201, China.
School of Animal Science and Technology, Foshan University, Foshan 528231, China.
Int J Mol Sci. 2025 Apr 1;26(7):3261. doi: 10.3390/ijms26073261.
Sheep (), domesticated from wild Asian mouflon ~10,000 years ago, are an important livestock species adapted to various ecological environments. Recent advancements in high-throughput sequencing and global environmental databases have facilitated the exploration of genetic-environmental associations, uncovering the genetic and epigenetic mechanisms behind sheep's adaptation to multiple environments. Studies show that HIF-1α and enhance high-altitude adaptation via hypoxic stress regulation; contributes to cold adaptation through non-shivering thermogenesis; and increase drought resistance by regulating renal water reabsorption; and likely plays a role in metabolic and stress response regulation. Additionally, sheep adapt to temperature, drought, and environmental stress through DNA methylation, transcriptional regulation (e.g., , ), heat shock proteins (e.g., ), and metabolic pathways (e.g., ). These findings offer valuable insights for improving sheep breeding and genetic enhancement. This review summarizes the mechanisms of adaptation to high altitude, cold, heat, drought, and comprehensive climate stress.
绵羊大约在1万年前从野生亚洲摩弗伦羊驯化而来，是适应各种生态环境的重要家畜物种。高通量测序和全球环境数据库的最新进展促进了对遗传-环境关联的探索，揭示了绵羊适应多种环境背后的遗传和表观遗传机制。研究表明，低氧诱导因子-1α（HIF-1α）通过低氧应激调节增强高原适应性；解偶联蛋白1（UCP1）通过非颤抖产热促进寒冷适应；血管加压素（AVP）和醛固酮（ALD）通过调节肾脏对水的重吸收增加抗旱性；热休克蛋白90（HSP90）可能在代谢和应激反应调节中发挥作用。此外，绵羊通过DNA甲基化、转录调控（如miRNA、lncRNA）、热休克蛋白（如HSP90）和代谢途径（如PI3K/Akt）适应温度、干旱和环境应激。这些发现为改进绵羊育种和遗传改良提供了有价值的见解。本综述总结了绵羊对高原、寒冷、炎热、干旱和综合气候应激的适应机制。
