Affiliation:
1. College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei 230036, China
2. Key Laboratory of Local Animal Genetic Resources Conservation and Bio-Breeding of Anhui Province, Hefei 230036, China
Abstract
Pubertal genetic variations between the indigenous Chinese Wanyue Black pig breed and the imported Yorkshire breed significantly impact their reproductive capacity. In order to identify the differentially expressed genes, gene networks, and metabolic pathways in ovary transcriptome of gilts, the serum hormone levels were analyzed by ELISA, and RNA-seq was performed to analyze ovarian genes. Our results reveal higher estradiol (E2) levels in Wanyue black gilts compared to Yorkshire gilts, while Yorkshire gilts exhibit elevated progesterone (P4) and GnRH levels. We identified a total of 154 differentially expressed genes (DEGs), with 87 up-regulated and 67 down-regulated genes in the Wanyue black gilts ovaries compared to the Yorkshire gilts. GO enrichment analysis unveiled the participation of DEGs in processes such as “Reproduction”, “Reproductive system development”, and “Ovarian follicle development”. Moreover, KEGG enrichment analysis revealed the involvement of DEGs in multiple signaling pathways associated with hormone biosynthesis and puberty, encompassing “Steroid hormone biosynthesis”, “Estrogen signaling pathway”, and “Prolactin signaling pathway”. The subsequent bioinformatics analysis identified nine functional genes that potentially contribute to the disparity in ovaries between Wanyue black gilts and Yorkshire gilts. This study offers significant insights into the endocrine and genetic aspects of pubertal development in gilts.
Funder
National Key Research and Development Program of China
National Natural Science Foundation of China
Cooperative Innovation Project of Anhui provincial universities
Joint Research Project on Local Pig breeding in Anhui Province
Major special science and technology project of Anhui Province
Reference40 articles.
1. Nonneman, D.J., Schneider, J.F., Lents, C.A., Wiedmann, R.T., Vallet, J.L., and Rohrer, G.A. (2016). Genome-wide association and identification of candidate genes for age at puberty in swine. BMC Genet., 17.
2. Heritability estimates and effect on lifetime reproductive performance of age at puberty in sows;Li;Anim. Reprod. Sci.,2018
3. Factors affecting puberty in replacement beef heifers;Perry;Theriogenology,2016
4. The role of puberty in the developing adolescent brain;Blakemore;Hum. Brain Mapp.,2010
5. Study on the Mechanism of Sarsasapogenin in Treating Precocious Puberty by Regulating the HPG Axis;Hu;Evid.-Based Complement. Altern. Med. eCAM,2020