Dataset Information

Identification and Profiling of Pituitary microRNAs of Sheep during Anestrus and Estrus Stages.

ABSTRACT: MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a class of small non-coding RNAs, molecules of 21 to 25 nucleotides in length, that regulate gene expression by binding to their target mRNA and play a significant role in animal development. The expression and role of miRNAs in regulating sheep estrus, however, remain elusive. Transcriptome analysis is helpful to understand the biological roles of miRNAs in the pituitary gland of sheep. A sheep's pituitary gland has a significant difference between estrus and anestrus states. Here, we investigate the expression profiles of sheep anterior pituitary microRNAs (miRNAs) in two states, estrus and anestrus, using Illumina HiSeq-technology. This study identified a total of 199 miRNAs and 25 differentially expressed miRNAs in the estrus and anestrus pituitary gland in sheep. Reverse transcription quantitative-PCR (RT-qPCR) analysis shows six differentially (p < 0.05) expressed miRNAs, that are miR-143, miR-199a, miR-181a, miR-200a, miR-218, and miR-221 in both estrus and anestrus states. miRNAs containing estrus-related terms and pathways regulation are enriched using enrichment analysis from gene ontology (GO) and the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG). Moreover, we also envisioned a miRNA-mRNA interaction network to understand the function of miRNAs involved in the pituitary gland regulatory network. In conclusion, miRNA expression profiles in sheep pituitary gland in the anestrus and estrus deliver a theoretical basis for the study of pituitary gland biology in sheep.

SUBMITTER: Ullah Y

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7142988 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Identification and Profiling of Pituitary microRNAs of Sheep during Anestrus and Estrus Stages.

Ullah Yaseen Y Li Cunyuan C Li Xiaoyue X Ni Wei W Yao Rui R Xu Yueren Y Quan Renzhe R Li Huixiang H Zhang Mengdan M Liu Li L Hu Ruirui R Guo Tao T Li Yaxin Y Wang Xiaokui X Hu Shengwei S

Animals : an open access journal from MDPI 20200229 3

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a class of small non-coding RNAs, molecules of 21 to 25 nucleotides in length, that regulate gene expression by binding to their target mRNA and play a significant role in animal development. The expression and role of miRNAs in regulating sheep estrus, however, remain elusive. Transcriptome analysis is helpful to understand the biological roles of miRNAs in the pituitary gland of sheep. A sheep's pituitary gland has a significant difference between estrus and anestrus sta ...[more]

PMID: 32121341

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Project description:BackgroundSeasonal estrus is a critical limiting factor of animal fecundity, and it involves changes in both ovarian biology and hormone secretion in different seasons. Previous studies indicate that two classes of small RNAs (miRNAs and piRNAs) play important regulatory roles in ovarian biology. To understand the roles of small RNA-mediated post-transcriptional regulation in ovine seasonal estrus, the variation in expression patterns of ovarian small RNAs during anestrus and the breeding season were analyzed using Solexa sequencing technology. In addition, reproductive hormone levels were determined during ovine anestrus and the breeding season.ResultsA total of 483 miRNAs (including 97 known, 369 conserved and 17 predicated novel miRNAs), which belong to 183 different miRNA families, were identified in ovaries of Tan sheep and Small Tail Han (STH) sheep. Compared with the three stages of the breeding season, 25 shared significantly differentially expressed (including 19 up- and six down-regulated) miRNAs were identified in ovine anestrus. KEGG Pathway analysis revealed that the target genes for some of the differentially expressed miRNAs were involved in reproductive hormone related pathways (e.g. steroid biosynthesis, androgen and estrogen metabolism and GnRH signaling pathway) as well as follicular/luteal development related pathways. Moreover, the expression of the differentially expressed miRNAs and most of their target genes were negatively correlated in the above pathways. Furthermore, the levels of estrogen, progesterone and LH in ovine anestrus were significantly lower than those in the breeding season. Combining the results of pathway enrichment analysis, expression of target genes and hormone measurement, we suggest that these differentially expressed miRNAs in anestrus might participate in attenuation of ovarian activity by regulating the above pathways. Besides miRNAs, a large and unexpectedly diverse set of piRNAs were also identified.ConclusionsThe miRNA profiles of ovine ovaries in anestrus were presented for the first time. The identification and characterization of miRNAs that are differentially expressed between ovine anestrus and the breeding season will help understanding of the role of miRNAs in the regulation of seasonal estrus, and provides candidates for determining miRNAs which could be potentially used to regulate ovine seasonal estrus.

Project description:IntroductionThe preservation of locally endangered breeds is essential for maintaining ecosystem services that benefit both society and the environment. Reproductive fitness becomes a crucial consideration in this context. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNA molecules that play a key role in post-transcriptional regulation. Typically, they function within the tissues where they are produced. However, when they are released into extracellular fluid, they are referred to as circulating miRNAs (c-miRNAs). C-miRNAs may serve as potential biomarkers, whose profile changes under different physiological states. The purpose of this study is to establish a connection between distinctive variations in the expression of c-miRNAs and specific estrus cycle phases in Frabosana-Roaschina sheep, an endangered Piedmontese breed.MethodsTwo trials, each involving 20 ewes with different reproductive efficiencies (nulliparous in the first trial and pluriparous in the second trial), were sampled on alternate days after synchronization for blood, saliva, and feces. Ultrasound scans were performed during the induced estrus cycle. The animals' behaviors were assessed through video recordings.ResultsIn the first trial, play behaviors were detected without sexual behaviors, whereas in the second trial, sexual behaviors were observed without play behaviors. Based on plasma trends of 17β-estradiol and progesterone and ultrasound images, two moments were identified for miRNAs analyses: the beginning of the follicular phase (day 2) and the beginning of the luteal phase (day 11). C-miRNAs of six representative animals from the second trial were sequenced. Analyses of the sequencing data have identified 12 c-miRNAs that were differentially expressed (DE) when comparing day 11 with day 2: five miRNAs were found to be upregulated, whereas seven miRNAs were downregulated. An enrichment analysis, based on predicted targets, using the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) and Gene Ontology (GO) databases was performed. Many of these genes regulate reproductive pathways with the possible involvement of miRNAs. Finally, qRT-PCR was conducted to validate the DE miRNAs in all ewes. Differences in gene expression between the two sampling points and the two trials were observed, in line with existing literature.DiscussionInvestigating the role of these miRNAs in regulating estrus could improve the reproductive performance and welfare of Frabosana-Roaschina ewes.

Dataset Information

Identification and Profiling of Pituitary microRNAs of Sheep during Anestrus and Estrus Stages.

Publications

Identification and Profiling of Pituitary microRNAs of Sheep during Anestrus and Estrus Stages.

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