RNA‐Seq reveals the functional specificity of epididymal caput, corpus, and cauda genes of cattleyak

Abstract

The first filial generation of the cattleyaks demonstrates hybrid vigor; however, the male cattleyaks are infertile and restrict productivity and breeding. The discovery of genes in a segment-specific approach offers valuable information and understanding concerning fertility status, yet the biology of cattleyak epididymis is still progressing.Comparative transcriptome analysis was performed on segment pairs of cattleyak epididymis. The caput versus corpus epididymis provided the highest (57.8%) differentially expressed genes (DEGs), corpus versus cauda (25.1%) followed, whereas caput versus cauda pair (17.1%) had the least DEGs. The expression levels of genes coding EPHB6, TLR1, MUC20, MT3, INHBB, TRPV5, EI24, PAOX, KIF12, DEPDC5, and KRT25, which might have the potentials to regulate the homeostasis, innate immunity, differentiation, motility, transport, and sperm maturation-related function in epididymal cells, were downregulated in the distal segment of epididymis. Top enriched KEGG pathways included mTOR, axon guidance, and taste transduction signaling pathways. EIF4B, EPHB6, and TAS2R42 were enriched in the pathways, respectively.Identifying key, new, and unexplored DEGs among the epididymal segments and further analyzing them could boost cattleyak fertility by maximizing sperm quality from genetically better sires and also facilitate better understanding of the epididymal biology.

Identification and analysis of differentially expressed (DE) circRNA in epididymis of yak and cattleyak

“…We performed qPCR validation on six DE circRNAs ( Table 1 ), and although the folding rates differed, the overall trend was consistent, proving that our sequencing data was correct ( Figure 10 ). At the same time, combined with previous articles ( 29 , 30 ) on the expression of DE miRNA in yak and cattleyak epididymal tissues, the relationship chain between circRNA-miRNA-mRNA was confirmed.…”

“…Based on the verified miRNA expression in our team's already published papers ( 29 , 30 ), among the 137 DE circRNAs obtained in this study, six of them (see Table 1 ) were screened to test the differential expression of circRNA by qPCR, and the relationship between circRNA, miRNA and mRNA was verified. cDNA is obtained by reverse transcription from total RNA using SuperScript™ III reverse transcriptase (Invitrogen, Carlsbad, CA, USA).…”