In this study, we investigated the effects of high ambient temperature on lipid metabolism in finishing pigs. Sixteen pigs ((79.6±1.2) kg) were randomly assigned to two groups: (1) ambient temperature of 30°C with ad libitum access to feed (HT; n=8) and (2) ambient temperature of 22°C and fed the average amount consumed by eight pigs in HT group on the previous day (PF; n=8). After 21 days of constant exposure to different environmental conditions, all the pigs were euthanized, and blood and tissue samples were obtained. High ambient temperature increased the proportion of backfat (P=0.04, +21.6%) and flare fat (P<0.01, +43.3%). Compared with pair-fed pigs, the activities of fatty acid synthase (FAS) and malic enzyme in backfat and flare fat were lower (P<0.05) in heat-stressed pigs, as were the amounts of acetyl-CoA-carboxylase and FAS in the longissimus muscle (LM), the amount of FAS in backfat (P<0.01), and FAS activity in the liver (P<0.01). Ambient temperature did not affect the amount of hormone-sensitive lipase in different tissues. The amount of lipoprotein lipase in flare fat tended to be higher (P=0.09, +28.3%), and the activities of β-hydroxyacyl coenzyme A dehydrogenase in front and back of LM were lower (P<0.01, –48.3 and –49.8%, respectively) at 30°C than at 22°C. The plasma concentration of high-density lipoprotein tended to be lower (P=0.08), but the plasma concentrations of very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) (P=0.09, +50.0%) and nonestesterified fatty acid (NEFA) (P=0.04, +44.2%) were higher in heat-stressed pigs. We concluded that high ambient temperature depressed de novo fatty acid synthesis in both adipose tissues and the liver. However, β-oxidation of fatty acid in skeletal muscles was also inhibited in the high-temperature environment. As a result, more plasma NEFAs were used to synthesize VLDLs in the liver and were absorbed by adipose tissues. This may be one reason that high ambient temperature enhances the accumulation of backfat and flare fat in finishing pigs.

    To study the correlation of broiler chickens with energy intake, growth and mitochondrial function which exposed to sustained cold and heat stress and to find out the comfortable temperature, 288 broiler chickens (21-day with (748±26) g, 144 males and 144 females) were divided randomly into six temperature-controlled chambers. Each chamber contained six cages including eight AA broilers per cage, each cage as a repeat. After acclimation for one week (temperature, 21°C; relative humidity, 60%), the temperature of each chamber was adjusted (finished within 1 h) respectively to 10, 14, 18, 22, 26, or 30°C (RH, 60%) for a 14-day experimental period. After treatment, gross energy intake (GEI), metabolizable energy intake (MEI), the ratio of MEI/BW, metabolizability, average daily gain (ADG), the concentration of liver mitochondria protein and cytochrome c oxidase (CCO) were measured respectively. Our results confirmed that when the temperature over 26°C for 14 days, GEI, MEI and CCO activities were decreased significantly (P<0.05), but the concentration of liver mitochondria protein was increased and metabolizability of broilers was not influenced (P>0.05). Compared with treatment for 14 days, the ratio of MEI/body weight (BW) were also decreased when the temperature over 26°C after temperature stress for 7 days (P<0.05), meanwhile mitochondrial protein concentration was increased at 10°C and CCO activity was not affected (P>0.05). Additionally at 22°C, the ADG reached the maximal value. When kept in uncomfortable temperatures for a long time, the ADG and CCO activities of broiler were reduced, which was accompanied by mitochondrial hyperplasia. In summary, our study focused on the performance of broilers during sustained cold and heat environmental temperatures ranging from 10 to 30°C. From the point of view of energy utilization, moreover, 22 to 26°C is comfortable for 28–42 days broilers. And these could provide the theoretical basis on the high efficient production.