Comparative Hypothalamic Transcriptome Analysis Reveals Crucial mRNAs, lncRNAs, and circRNAs Affecting Litter Size in Goats

Abstract

Litter size is an important indicator to measure the reproductive performance of goats, which is affected by the reproductive function of animals. The hypothalamus, as the regulatory center of the endocrine system, plays an important role in the reproduction of female animals. Here, we performed high-throughput RNA sequencing using hypothalamic tissue from high-fecundity and low-fecundity Leizhou goats to explore critical functional genes associated with litter size. Differentially expressed mRNA, lncRNA, and circRNAs were screened using DESeq and were enriched, and then analyzed by Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Gene and Genome. Results showed that some of these differentially expressed mRNAs could be enriched in reproductive processes, jak-STAT, prolactin signaling pathway, and other signaling pathways related to reproduction, such as SOCS3. Furthermore, the central proteins POSTN, MFAP5, and DCN from protein–protein interaction may regulate animal reproductive activity by affecting cell proliferation and apoptosis. lncRNA MSTRG.33887.2 as well as circRNAs chicirc_098002, chicirc_072583, and chicirc_053531 may be able to influence animal reproduction by participating in folate metabolism and energy metabolism homeostasis through their respective target genes. Our results expand the molecular mechanism of hypothalamic regulation on animal reproduction.

Thyroid Transcriptomics Revealed the Reproductive Regulation of miRNA in the Follicular and Luteal Phases in Small-Tail Han Sheep with Different FecB Genotypes

“…Additionally, leptin inhibits uterine contractions in mice by stimulating the JAK-STAT signaling pathway [46]. The characterization of miRNA and mRNA expression profiles in hypothalamic tissues of high-and low-follicular fertility goats reveals that the identified differential expressed genes are significantly enriched in the JAK-STAT signaling pathway [47,48].…”

Genome-wide association studies for economically important traits in mink using copy number variation

“…The GRM1 gene, which was previously identified in a CNV study in American mink 64 , was located within the duplication CNVR15 (Chr1: 56,870,177–56,925,961), associated with AWB trait. The GRM1 was a gene of interest reported in several studies to be associated with female reproduction in different livestock species, such as seasonal reproduction in sheep 79 , litter size in goats 80 , number of teats and litter traits in pig 81 , and fertility-related traits in cattle 82 . Interestingly, it was reported that the GRM1 gene located within structural variations and runs of homozygosity regions associated with litter traits in pigs 83 , 84 , highlighting the hypothesis that this gene might be a candidate gene for female reproduction in American mink.…”

Transcriptome analysis revealed the characteristics and functions of long non-coding RNAs in the hypothalamus during sexual maturation in goats

“…Recent research has demonstrated that lncRNA Meg3 can regulate the expression of GnRH and Kiss-1 in hypothalamic cells, and knockdown of lncRNA Meg3 can delay puberty in female rats ( 16 ). Additionally, the lncRNA MSTRG.33887.2 has the potential to influence goat reproduction by regulating target genes involved in hypothalamic folate metabolism and energy metabolism homeostasis ( 17 ). Mouse hypothalamic lncRNA AK044061 plays a crucial role in energy balance by mediating NF-kβ.…”