Long Non-Coding RNA Analysis of Vitrified Porcine Immature Oocytes During Maturation and Early Parthenogenetic Embryo...

The preservation of porcine oocytes is critically important for advancing superior breeds and conserving genetic resources in pig production. Vitrification has gained traction as a preferred alternative to slow freezing for porcine oocytes because of its effectiveness in reducing ice crystal formation, yet it can still negatively affect oocyte quality, compromising their in vitro maturation (IVM) and later embryonic development. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have proven to be key players in numerous biological processes, such as oocyte growth, maturation, and early embryogenesis. Despite this, the effects of vitrified porcine germinal vesicle (GV) oocytes, particularly regarding IVM and the dynamic expression patterns of lncRNAs during embryonic development, remain largely unclear. To address this gap, this study conducted lncRNA sequencing at the metaphase II (MII), parthenogenetic 4-cell embryo, and parthenogenetic blastocyst stages sourced from both fresh and vitrified GV oocytes. This method enabled us to ascertain the impact of vitrification on lncRNA expression throughout oocyte maturation and embryonic development. Results identified 773 differentially expressed lncRNAs (DELs) at the MII stage, 1973 at the parthenogenetic 4-cell, and 1192 at the parthenogenetic blastocyst. Enrichment analysis of forecasted target genes revealed their involvement in key regulatory pathways associated with the cell cycle, meiosis, stress response, and metabolic activity. Overall, this study provides a comprehensive overview of lncRNA expression during oocyte maturation and embryonic development following porcine GV oocyte vitrification, thereby shedding light on the molecular mechanisms behind vitrification-induced damage.