Fig. 4

Fat metabolism genes are differentially regulated between late pregnancy and lactation. Model of the networks of genes potentially involved in the regulation of fat metabolism in the late pregnant (day 135 of pregnancy ± 2.4 SD, n = 27) and lactating (day 15 post-partum ± 1.27 SD, n = 18) ovine mammary gland, as measured by RNA-seq. Genes shown in red were more lowly expressed (RPKM P < 0.05, > 2-fold change in expression) during lactation, compared with late pregnancy, and were largely associated with fatty acid catabolism pathways. Genes shown in blue were more highly expressed (RPKM P < 0.05, > 2-fold change in expression) during lactation, compared with late pregnancy, and were largely associated with synthesis of fatty acids, triglycerides, cholesterol and steroids. Notes: double dagger denotes genes which had a >10-fold change in expression between late pregnancy and lactation