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Updated: May 23, 2025
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Instrumentation of Near-term Fetal Sheep for Multivariate Chronic Non-anesthetized Recordings
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Chromatin accessibility and transcriptomic profiles of sheep pituitary function associated with fecundity
Shanglai Li1,2,3, Bingru Zhao1,2,3, Peiyong Chen1,2,3
1Hu Sheep Academy, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, China.
BMC Genomics
|May 20, 2025
Summary
This study reveals key genes and transcription factors in the sheep pituitary that regulate reproductive efficiency by controlling hormone secretion. Understanding these molecular markers can aid in improving ovine fecundity.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive Biology
- Genomics
- Endocrinology
Background:
- The pituitary gland regulates reproductive efficiency via gonadotropin secretion.
- Chromatin accessibility influences gene expression.
- Sheep pituitary chromatin accessibility and its role in reproduction are understudied.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the chromatin accessibility landscape and gene expression in the sheep pituitary.
- To identify molecular mechanisms underlying reproductive traits in sheep.
- To explore potential genetic markers for improving ovine fecundity.
Main Methods:
- Integrated multi-omics analysis of ATAC-seq and RNA-seq.
- Profiling of pituitary tissue from sheep with varying fecundity.
- Functional enrichment analysis of differentially expressed genes and accessible regions.
Main Results:
- Identified 1,567 differential accessibility regions (DARs) and 768 differentially expressed genes (DEGs).
- DEGs are linked to crucial pathways like neuroactive ligand-receptor interactions and cAMP signaling.
- Key genes (CMKLR1, TAFI, PPP1R17) and novel transcription factors (NR4A2, MEF2) regulating gonadotropin secretion were identified.
Conclusions:
- Systematically characterized sheep pituitary gene expression and chromatin accessibility.
- Identified key regulatory genes and molecular markers for gonadotropin secretion.
- Findings may contribute to genetic improvement of reproductive efficiency in sheep.
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