Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 14, 2026
05:04
Separation of Avian Preovulatory Follicle Granulosa and Theca Cell Layers for Downstream Applications
Published on: October 25, 2024
Stage-Specific lncRNA-mRNA Co-Expression Networks in Chicken Granulosa Cells Across Hierarchical Follicle Development
Liang Li1,2, Xue Han1,2, Lulin Tan1,2
1Institute of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary, Guizhou Academy of Agricultural Science, Guiyang 550005, China.
Animals : an Open Access Journal From MDPI
|May 13, 2026
Summary
This study maps long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) and messenger RNAs (mRNAs) during chicken follicle development. It reveals dynamic gene expression changes, particularly during the F2-to-F1 transition, offering insights into avian reproduction.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive Biology
- Genomics
- Molecular Endocrinology
Background:
- Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are crucial regulators of granulosa cell function.
- Understanding lncRNA dynamics during follicle development is essential for avian reproduction.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize the stage-specific landscape of lncRNAs and mRNAs in chicken granulosa cells.
- To identify key regulatory molecules involved in follicle maturation and periovulatory remodeling.
Main Methods:
- Ribo-Zero RNA sequencing was performed on granulosa cells from distinct follicle stages (SYF, F5, F2, F1) during the preovulatory surge.
- Bioinformatic analyses, including multi-predictor pipelines and weighted gene co-expression network analysis, were employed.
- Quantitative PCR (qPCR) was used for validation.
Main Results:
- A comprehensive catalog of 26,923 lncRNAs and 15,838 mRNAs was identified.
- Significant differential expression of both lncRNAs and mRNAs was observed across follicle stages, with major changes between F2 and F1 follicles.
- Functional enrichment analysis revealed distinct molecular programs, including metabolism, steroidogenesis, extracellular-matrix remodeling, and signaling pathways, associated with different follicular stages.
Conclusions:
- This study provides a stage-resolved lncRNA-mRNA landscape of chicken follicle development.
- Candidate lncRNAs and mRNAs associated with key reproductive processes like lipid metabolism, angiogenesis, and extracellular-matrix remodeling were identified.
- The findings offer valuable targets for future mechanistic studies on avian follicle maturation and periovulatory events.
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