Exploring differentially expressed genes in hypothalamic, pars tuberalis and pineal gland transcriptomes in different...

Area of Science:

• Reproductive biology
• Genomics
• Neuroendocrinology

Background:

• Reproductive seasonality impacts sheep production efficiency.
• Sexual behavior, regulated by the hypothalamus-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis, is crucial for reproductive success.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify genes and pathways influencing sexual behavior in Rasa Aragonesa rams.
• To elucidate the genomic underpinnings of sexual behavior regulation.

Main Methods:

• Transcriptomic sequencing (RNA-Seq) was employed to analyze gene expression in the hypothalamus (HT), pars tuberalis (PT), and pineal gland (PG).
• Bioinformatics analysis identified differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and enriched signaling pathways.
• Gene expression was validated using reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR).

Main Results:

• 103 DEGs were identified in the HT and 12 in the PG; no DEGs were found in the PT.
• HT DEGs were enriched in neuroactive ligand-receptor interactions and signaling pathways (e.g., GnRH, cAMP), including key genes like MTNR1A, FSHB, LHB, and GNRHR.
• GSEA revealed enriched pathways in PT (intracellular protein transport) and PG (transcription factor binding, protein ubiquitination) potentially linked to sexual behavior differences.

Conclusions:

• Multiple gene networks and signaling pathways within the HPG axis orchestrate sexual behavior in rams.
• Identified DEGs and pathways provide a genomic basis for understanding sexual behavior regulation in sheep.
• This research contributes to improving sheep reproductive efficiency by understanding the genetic control of sexual behavior.