Comparison of the pituitary gland transcriptome in pregnant and non-pregnant goats (Capra hircus)

Abstract

Pregnancy is strictly regulated by neuronal and hormonal factors with an essential role being played by the pituitary gland. We screened for differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in the pituitary that function in goat gestational development. Pregnant (AWGp) and non-pregnant Anhui white goats (AWGn) were analysed by deep-sequencing technology. A total of 12 774 092 and 13 872 327 clear reads were obtained in the AWGp and AWGn libraries, respectively. A total of 2593 genes were labelled as significantly differentially expressed in AWGp compared to AWGn, including 2158 upregulated genes and 435 downregulated genes. These genes included follicle stimulating hormone beta (FSHB) and luteinizing hormone beta (LHB), which showed an involvement in reproductive regulation and downregulation (AWGp vs AWGn). Quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) results validated the DEG data. Subsequent gene ontology analysis indicated that a large number of these DEGs function in cellular processes, cell structures, and cell binding. The DEGs were also found by Kyoto Gene and Genomic Encyclopaedia analysis to be significantly enriched in 54 pathways, including the GnRH and TGF-beta signalling pathways that affect cell proliferation and hormone secretion. These data also identify genes that may play a role in pregnancy and reproduction in the goat and thus provide avenues for future research.