Fig. 2

Effects of feeding HMB to lactating sows on myogenic, protein synthetic and proteolytic gene expressions in skeletal muscle of weaning piglets. Values are means, with their standard errors represented by vertical bars (n = 6). * Represents mean values between the two groups differ significantly at P < 0.05. Data was normalized against GAPDH, with results expressed relative to the CON sample using the ΔΔCt method (where Ct is cycle threshold) with efficiency correction. Pax7 paired box 7; IGF-I insulin-like growth factor-I; mTOR mammalian target of rapamycin; MRF4 muscle regulator factor 4; MSTN myostatin; FoxO1 forkhead box transcription factor O1; MAFbx, muscle atrophy F-box; MuRF1, muscle Ring finger 1; CON control; HMB β-hydroxy-β-methylbutyrate