Abstract
Testis development is a vital and tightly regulated process in mammals. Understanding the biological mechanisms underlying testis development will benefit the animal reproduction industry. Expression changes in microRNA and messenger RNA in response to dynamic regulation effects have been associated with this process. However, very little is known about the roles of these molecules in yak development. Using whole-genome small RNA and messenger RNA sequencing, we performed a comprehensive analysis of the microRNA–messenger RNA interaction network expression in the testicles of Tianzhu white yaks during three developmental stages. Using Short Time-series Expression Miner analysis we identified 589 differentially expressed microRNAs (DERs) and 3383 differentially expressed messenger RNAs (DEGs) in the three age groups. A total of 93 unique DEGs are primarily involved in reproduction and testis development. Subsequently, four integration networks were constructed according to the DEGs and DERs in three biological processes. Nineteen DEGs were potentially regulated by 60 DERs, of which miR-574 and target gene AURKA played a crucial role in yak testis development and reproduction. The results of this study provide a basis for further exploration of the microRNA–messenger RNA interactions in testis development and reproduction and aid in uncovering the molecular mechanisms of spermatogenesis in male mammals.
Highlights
Tianzhu white yak (Bos grunniens) is one of the yak breeds, and it is a unique and rare domesticated animal in Tianzhu Tibetan autonomous county (Wuwei City, Gansu Province, China)
In the present study, the expression patterns of microRNA–messenger RNA were analyzed in yak testis during different developmental stages
The results revealed that 71% of these differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were annotated; possible phenotypes were predicted after knockout in a laboratory mouse model [16], and only a few genes, such as STAG3 [17], TDRD5 [18], and RNF17 [19], were demonstrated to have biological functions associated with reproduction and gametogenesis
Summary
Tianzhu white yak (Bos grunniens) is one of the yak breeds, and it is a unique and rare domesticated animal in Tianzhu Tibetan autonomous county (Wuwei City, Gansu Province, China). Numerous studies have sequenced and analyzed microRNA or transcriptome profiles with various approaches in different species and tissues. These studies have suggested that the expression of microRNAs has a fixed pattern in animals. This fixed pattern has differences among the various species and tissues. Understanding the regulatory roles of microRNAs in yak testicular development and reproduction complements the theoretical basis for the study of reproductive diseases in yak breeding, and provides new ideas and approaches for improving the semen quality and breeding capacity in animal husbandry. In the present study, the expression patterns of microRNA–messenger RNA were analyzed in yak testis during different developmental stages. These data allow researchers to better understand the potential mechanisms of testis development and reproduction, contributing to the genetic breeding knowledge base and improving reproductive performance of domestic livestock
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