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Updated: May 22, 2025
Analysis of Chromosome Segregation, Histone Acetylation, and Spindle Morphology in Horse Oocytes
Published on: May 11, 2017
Whole transcriptome analysis in oviduct provides insight into microRNAs and ceRNA regulative networks that targeted
Qingqing Liu1,2, Zhipeng Sun2,3, Yufang Liu1
1State Key Laboratory of Animal Biotech Breeding, Institute of Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS), No. 2 Yuanmingyuan West Rd, Beijing, 100193, China.
Background:
Reproduction traits are crucial for livestock breeding and represent key economic indicators in the domestic goat (Capra hircus) industry. The oviduct, a critical organ in female mammals, plays a pivotal role in several reproductive processes; however, its molecular mechanisms remain largely unknown. Non-coding RNA and mRNAs are essential regulatory elements in reproductive processes; yet their specific roles and regulatory networks in goat oviducts remain unclear.
Results:
In this study, we conducted small RNA sequencing of the oviduct in high- and low-fecundity goats during the follicular (FH and FL groups, n = 10) and luteal (LH and LL groups, n = 10) phase, profiling 20 tissue samples. Combinatorial whole-transcriptome expression profiles were applied to the same samples to uncover the competitive endogenous RNA (ceRNA) regulation network associated with goat fecundity. RT-qPCR was employed to validate the miRNA profiling results, and ceRNA regulatory networks were analyzed through luciferase assay. Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) confirmed that the cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction and TGF-β signaling pathway, both related to embryonic development, were enriched in DEM target genes. Additionally, miR-328-3p, a core miRNA, targets SMAD3 and BOP1, which are involved in the negative regulation of cell growth and embryonic development. TOB1 and TOB2, targeted by miR-204-3p, regulate cell proliferation via the protein kinase C-activating G-protein coupled receptor signaling pathway. Analyses of ceRNA regulatory networks revealed that LNC_005981 - miR-328-3p - SMAD3 and circ_0021923 - miR-204-3p - DOT1L may affect goats' reproduction, findings that were validated using luciferase assay.
Conclusion:
Analysis of whole-transcriptome profiling of goat oviducts identified several key miRNAs and ceRNAs that may regulate oocyte maturation, embryo development, and the interactions between the oviduct and gametes/early embryos, providing insights into the molecular mechanisms of reproductive regulatory networks.
