A note on genetic parameters for estrus symptoms in sows

BioMed Research International

Pei

et al. 2018

Estrus is an important factor for the fecundity of sows, and it is involved in ovulation and hormone secretion in ovaries. To better understand the molecular mechanisms of porcine estrus, the expression patterns of ovarian mRNA at proestrus and estrus stages were analyzed using RNA sequencing technology. A total of 2,167 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified (P ≤ 0.05, |log2 Ratio| ≥ 1), of which 784 were upregulated and 1,383 were downregulated in the estrus compared with the proestrus group. Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment indicated that these DEGs were mainly involved in the cellular process, single-organism process, cell and cell part, and binding and metabolic process. In addition, a pathway analysis showed that these DEGs were significantly enriched in 33 Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathways, including cell adhesion molecules, ECM-receptor interaction, and cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction. Quantitative real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) confirmed the differential expression of 10 selected DEGs. Many of the novel candidate genes identified in this study will be valuable for understanding the molecular mechanisms of the sow estrous cycle.

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Identification of Differentially Expressed Genes in Porcine Ovaries at Proestrus and Estrus Stages Using RNA-Seq Technique

Yang

BioMed Research International

Pei

et al. 2018

“…Clear visible estrus behaviors, such as standing reflex, reddening and swelling of the vulva, mucus discharge from the vulva, etc., contribute to the reproductive performance of sows 1 . However, the proportion of gilts and sows that do not express estrus behaviors is increasing in recent years 2 – 4 .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Previous studies showed that Chinese indigenous pigs which originated in Taihu Lake Basin, such as Meishan, Erhualian, and Mi pigs, had superior reproductive performance and estrus expression traits than European pigs 8 – 11 . The difference on estrus expression between pig breeds indicates that the clear visible expression of estrus is heritable 1 , and could be improved by selection 12 , 13 . A positive correlation was observed between the serum estrogen concentration of gilts and the intensity of estrus behaviors 14 – 16 .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Genome-wide differential mRNA expression profiles in follicles of two breeds and at two stages of estrus cycle of gilts

Chu

et al. 2017

Sci Rep

Estrus expression by gilts and sows is hereditable and important for heat detection. To better understand the molecular biological mechanisms of estrus expression in gilts, the mRNA expression profiles of follicular tissue from Large White gilts in diestrus (LD, n = 3) and estrus (LE, n = 3), and Chinese indigenous Mi gilts in diestrus (MD, n = 2) and estrus (ME, n = 3) were investigated using RNA sequencing. We detected 122,804-335,295 SNPs, 6,140-14,947 InDel and 12 types of AS events (39.57% TSS, 34.90% TTS) in 11 samples. A total of 2,838 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were found in LD vs MD, LE vs ME, LE vs LD, or ME vs MD comparisons. Two DEGs (ACP5 and PIGS) were observed in all comparisons. Two new genes (ENSSSCG00000028235 and ENSSSCG00000021903) were exclusively expressed in Mi and Large White gilts, respectively. Bioinformatics analyses indicate that these DEGs are involved in single-organism process, catalytic activity, cell adhesion and enriched in ECM-receptor interaction, olfactory transduction, ovarian steroidogenesis, steroid biosynthesis and CAMs signaling pathways. These results of RNA-Seq have provided important information for screening the key functional genes or molecular markers of estrus expression in gilts.

mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Showing clear visible oestrous signs contributes to reproductive effectiveness of a sow (Gäde et al, 2008). The strength of oestrus is partially under genetic control and therefore heritable (Gäde et al, 2008). Gilts of some Chinese indigenous breeds reach puberty at an earlier age (Hunter, Biggs, Foxcroft, McNeilly, & Tilton, 1993), express behavioural oestrous longer, and have slightly shorter oestrous cycles (Bazer, Thatcher, Martinat-Botte, & Terqui, 1988) than those of Landrace and Large White.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Genetic differences in oestrous signs and oestrogen metabolism‐related genes between Chinese Mi and European Landrace‐Large White pigs

Chu

Liang

Reprod Domestic Animals

2017

Oestrous signs affect timely mating and reproductive efficiency in swine breeding herds. To study the genetic difference of oestrous signs between Chinese and European pigs, 100 Landrace-Large White (LLW) cross gilts and 50 Chinese Mi gilts were assessed for oestrous signs and the concentrations of serum estradiol-17β and progesterone were determined. The genotype of 39 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in 11 oestrogen metabolism and function-related genes was determined by Sequenom iPLEX platform. Compared with LLW gilts, Mi gilts had longer time of standing reflex (p < .001), higher scores of vulva reddening (p = .001) and greater serum estradiol-17β concentration (p < .01). Gilts with greater serum estradiol-17β concentrations also had greater (p < .05) scores for oestrous signs. Genetic polymorphisms of nine genes in oestrogen metabolism pathways had significant differences (p < .05) between LLW and Mi gilts. There were three and six haploblocks of SNPs in LLW and Mi, respectively. Compared with LLW, the distribution of haplotypes was more centralized in Mi pigs. Genetic polymorphisms of oestrogen metabolism-related genes have considerable differences between Chinese Mi and European LLW pigs. Because of the important roles of oestrogen during the oestrus, some genes of oestrogen metabolism pathway could be considered as candidate genes for oestrous signs.