Expression profile analysis of sheep ovary after superovulation and estrus synchronisation treatment

Abstract

Superovulation is a widely used reproductive technique in livestock production, but the mechanism of sheep's superovulation is not yet clear. Here, a method of superovulation and estrus synchronisation was used to treat female Duolang sheep. After treatment, there were significant differences in serum FSH and LH levels and the number of dominant follicles between the two groups of sheep. We identified a total of 5021 differentially expressed genes (11, 13 and 15 days after treatment) and performed RT-qPCR analysis to identify several mRNA expression levels. GO and KEGG enrichment analysis revealed that differentially expressed genes were involved in the regulation of signalling pathways of follicular development, cell cycle, material synthesis, energy metabolism, such as COL3A1, RPS8, ACTA2, RPL7 RPS6 and TNFAIP6 may play a key role in regulating the development of follicles. Our results show a comprehensive expression profile after superovulation and estrus synchronisation treatment. We provide the basis for further research on breeding techniques to improve the ovulation rate and birth rate of livestock.

Genome wide identification and characterization of fertility associated novel CircRNAs as ceRNA reveal their regulatory roles in sheep fecundity

“…LOC101102473 is a target gene of novel130_mature that is downregulated in ovary tissue of Small Tail Han Sheep [ 32 ], and is involved in pathways related to reproduction, such as FoxO signaling pathway, Cell cycle, p53 signaling pathway, Progesterone-mediated oocyte maturation, consistent with the previous research [ 77 ]. FOXO signaling is the central pathway controlling growth and metabolism in all cells [ 99 ], and closely related with ovarian function [ 100 ].…”

“…KEGG enrichment analysis of mRNA involved in ceRNETs revealed significant pathways such as; Galactose metabolism, Glutathione metabolism, Metabolism of xenobiotics by cytochrome P450, Drug metabolism—cytochrome P450, Cell adhesion molecules (CAMs), Antigen processing and presentation, p53 signaling pathway, and Progesterone-mediated oocyte maturation pathways respectively. Of note, studies have demonstrated the involvement of above-mentioned pathways in ovarian physiology and play essential role in follicular development, oocyte maturation, development of reproductive organ, proliferation, immunity, antioxidant, and metabolic process [ 74 – 77 ]. Previous studies demonstrated that the exposure of xenobiotics may destroy the primordial follicles which is responsible for premature ovarian failure and reduce fertility [ 78 , 79 ].…”

Functional analysis of differentially expressed circular RNAs in sheep subcutaneous fat

“…Studies in mice found that circSAMD4A regulated preadipocyte differentiation by acting as miR-138-5p sponge, thereby increasing EZH2 expression. This indicates that circSAMD4A can be a potential target in the treatment of obesity-related metabolic diseases (Liu et al, 2020) (Wang et al,2022). Duolang sheep can deposit a large amount of fat in the body to meet nutritional demands during the winter and spring (Wei et al, 2015).…”

Histological, immunohistochemical and serological investigations of the ovary during follicular phase of estrous cycle in Saidi sheep

“…This cycle of recruitment, selection and dominance occur at regular intervals whatever the reproductive stage (prepuberal, follicular, luteal phase, anoestrus) and this controlled by endocrine, paracrine and autocrine signals [7][8][9][10][11] . Follicular development is regulated by a variety of hormones like FSH, LH inhibin, progesterone and estrogen, and the imbalance of these hormone expression levels can disrupt the follicular development affecting animal reproduction and fertility [12][13][14][15] .…”

“…Sheep are widely bred livestock in the world as it providing a large amount of meat, fat, milk, wool and other products for humans. Increasing animal reproductive performance and the litter size in sheep has always been the focus of many breeding research 15 . The Saidi breed of the Egyptian sheep has a long fat tail and a generally dark brown eece.…”