Abstract
Simple SummaryThe uterus is an important reproductive organ that provides nutrition and place for embryonic development. In this study, we identified circular RNAs by deep sequencing and analyzed their expression in the uteri of polytocous and monotocous sheep (FecB++) during follicular and luteal phases. Gene Ontology (GO) and KEGG enrichment analyses revealed that the source genes of these differential circular RNAs (circRNAs) were mainly enriched in reproductive hormone- and energy metabolism-related pathways. These results provide information on the molecular mechanisms of sheep prolificacy.CircRNA plays important roles in cell proliferation, differentiation, autophagy and apoptosis during development. However, there are few reports on circRNAs related to livestock reproduction. In this study, we identified circRNAs by deep sequencing and analyzed their expression in the uteri of polytocous and monotocous sheep (FecB++) during follicular and luteal phases. There were 147 and 364 circRNAs with differential expression in the follicular and luteal phases, respectively. GO and KEGG enrichment analysis was performed for the host genes of the circRNAs to predict the functions of differentially expressed circRNAs. These source genes were mainly involved in the estrogen signaling pathway, TGFβ signaling pathway, GnRH signaling pathway, oxytocin signaling pathway, pentose phosphate pathway, and starch and sucrose metabolism related to reproduction and energy metabolism. CircRNA expression patterns were validated by RT-qPCR. Our findings provide a solid foundation for the identification and characterization of key important circRNAs involved in reproduction.
Highlights
Small Tail Han sheep are a Chinese indigenous breed that has attracted a lot of attention because of their high prolificacy and year-round estrus [1]
Studies of fecundity have mainly concentrated on the ovary [9,10], but the function of the uterus is important for prolificacy
Genomic characteristics, and length distribution of uterine circRNAs, which lay the foundation for the study of uterine circRNAs in Small Tail Han sheep
Summary
Small Tail Han sheep are a Chinese indigenous breed that has attracted a lot of attention because of their high prolificacy and year-round estrus [1]. Animals 2019, 9, 797 the FecB (BMPR1B) gene increased the ovulation rate and was partially dominant for litter size [2,3]. According to previously published literature, the FecB mutation has an additive effect on enhancement of the ovine ovulation number and litter size, such that one copy of the FecB mutation may increase the ovulation number by 1.5 and the litter size by 1, and two copies by 3 and 1.5, respectively [4,5,6]. Some Small Tail Han sheep without the FecB mutation (FecB++) had high fecundity and maintained stable heredity in production. We speculated that, besides the FecB mutation effect, other genetic factors may influence the litter size of Small Tail Han sheep. Studies of fecundity have mainly concentrated on the ovary [9,10], but the function of the uterus is important for prolificacy
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