Unconservative_15_2570409 suppresses progesterone receptor expression in the granulosa cells of Hu sheep

Selenium Protects Follicular Granulosa Cells from Apoptosis Induced by Mercury Through Inhibition of ATF6/CHOP Pathway in Laying Hens

The purpose of this research was to explore the effect of selenium on mercury-mediated apoptosis of follicular granulosa cells in laying hens. Moreover, the ATF6/CHOP pathway was investigated to explore the mechanism in this progress. Hg, Se, and 4-phenyl butyric acid were used alone or in combination to treat the cells. Our results showed that the nuclear in cells became condensate after Hg exposure, while Se addition significantly alleviated this change. Hg exposure significantly induced the apoptosis and the reduction of mitochondrial membrane potential in cells (P < 0.05). Nevertheless, co-treatment of Se significantly inhibited these effects (P < 0.05). Additionally, Hg exposure dramatically elevated the gene expressions of Bax/Bcl-2 (P < 0.05), caspase-3 (P < 0.05), caspase-9 (P < 0.05), protein kinase RNA-like endoplasmic reticulum kinase (P < 0.05), activating transcription factor 6 (P < 0.05), C/EBP homologous protein (CHOP; P < 0.05), inositol-requiring enzyme 1α (P < 0.05), tumor necrosis factor-associated factor 2 (P < 0.05), activating transcription factor 6 (ATF6; P < 0.05), and apoptosis signal-regulating kinase 1 (P < 0.05) in cells, whereas Se addition avoided these changes. The exposure to Hg considerably boosted the expression of ATF6 and CHOP protein (P < 0.05), while Se addition significantly alleviated the above-mentioned enhancements (P < 0.05). In summary, Hg exposure induced apoptosis, which was considerably reduced alleviated by Se addition, which was linked to the ATF6/CHOP pathway in follicular granulosa cells in laying hens.

Identification and analysis of differentially expressed microRNAs in endometrium to explore the regulation of sheep fecundity

BACKGROUND

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play an important regulatory role in mammalian reproduction. Currently, most studies are primarily concentrated on ovarian miRNAs, ignoring the influence of endometrial miRNAs on the fecundity of female sheep. To uncover potential regulators of sheep fecundity, RNA-seq was used to comparatively analyze miRNA expression profiles of endometrium between high prolificacy sheep (HP, litter size = 3) and low prolificacy sheep (LP, litter size = 1) with FecB genotype.

RESULTS

Firstly, genomic features of miRNAs from endometrium were analyzed. Furthermore, 58 differentially expressed (DE) miRNAs were found in the endometrium of Hu sheep with different litter size. A co-expression network of DE miRNAs and target genes has been constructed, and hub genes related litter size are included, such as DE miRNA unconservative_NC_019472.2_1229533 and unconservative_NC_019481.2_1637827 target to estrogen receptor α (ESR1) and unconservative_NC_019481.2_1637827 targets to transcription factor 7 (TCF7). Moreover, functional annotation analysis showed that the target genes (NRCAM and NEGR1) of the DE miRNAs were significantly enriched in cell adhesion molecules (CAMs) signaling pathway, which was related to uterine receptivity.

CONCLUSION

Taken together, this study provides a new valuable resource for understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying Hu sheep prolificacy.

Progesterone signaling in the regulation of luteal steroidogenesis

The corpus luteum is the major source of progesterone, the essential hormone for female reproductive function. While progesterone activity has been the subject of extensive research for decades, characterization of non-canonical progesterone receptor/signaling pathways provided a new perspective for understanding the complex signal transduction mechanisms exploited by the progesterone hormone. Deciphering these mechanisms has significant implications in the management of luteal phase disorders and early pregnancy complications. The purpose of this review is to highlight the complex mechanisms through which progesterone-induced signaling mediates luteal granulosa cell activity in the corpus luteum. Here, we review the literature and discuss the up-to-date evidence on how paracrine and autocrine effects of progesterone regulate luteal steroidogenic activity. We also review the limitations of the published data and highlight future research priorities.

EZH2 Gene Knockdown Inhibits Sheep Pituitary Cell Proliferation via Downregulating the AKT/ERK Signaling Pathway

Pituitary gonadotropins perform essential functions in mammalian reproduction by stimulating gametogenesis and steroidogenesis in the ovaries and testicles. EZH2 is a histone methyltransferase that inhibits proliferation and aggravates apoptosis in stem cells subjected to pathological stimuli. However, the expression and molecular mechanisms of EZH2 in pituitary cells in vitro have not been extensively studied. In this study, the relative abundances of EZH2 mRNA (p < 0.01) and protein (p < 0.05) expression were larger in the pituitary cells of Hu sheep with relatively greater fecundity (GF) compared to those with lesser fecundity (LF). Loss-of-function examinations demonstrated that EZH2 gene knockdown led to an earlier induction of apoptosis in sheep pituitary cells (PCs). The relative abundance of CASP3, CASP9, and BAX was increased (p < 0.01), while BCL2's abundance was less decreased (p < 0.01) in PCs where there was EZH2 gene knockdown. Additionally, cell proliferation (p < 0.01) and viability (p < 0.01) were decreased in EZH2-knockdown sheep PCs, and the cell cycle was blocked compared to a negative control (NC). Notably, EZH2 gene knockdown led to reduced abundances of gonadotropin subunit gene transcripts (FSHβ, p < 0.05) and reduced FSH release (p < 0.01) from PCs. EZH2 gene knockdown led to reduced phosphorylation of AKT, ERK, and mTOR (p < 0.01). The results suggest that EZH2 regulates pituitary cell proliferation, apoptosis, and FSH secretion through modulation of the AKT/ERK signaling pathway, providing a foundation for further study of pituitary cell functions.

Gender difference in hepatic AMPK pathway activated lipid metabolism induced by aged polystyrene microplastics exposure

Microplastics (MPs) pollution becomes an increasing concern and researchers keep exploring the health effects caused by MPs exposure. The ageing process in the environment significantly alters the physicochemical characteristics of MPs and subsequently affects their toxicities. The health effects of aged MPs exposure and the mechanism underlying are worthy of exploration. Polystyrene microplastics (PS-MPs) (with size less than 50 µm) were obtained by grinding and screening polystyrene materials. PS-MPs continued to be aged by ozone treatment (0.4 mg/min, 9 h). Both male and female C57BL/6 mice were orally exposed to 0 or 2 mg/kg/d aged PS-MPs for 28 days. Results showed that PS-MPs were found in liver, ovary and spleen of females and liver, testis and spleen of males in the aged PS-MPs group. Exposure to aged PS-MPs significantly decreased abdominal fat/body coefficient, the adipocyte size and the serum LDL-C level in females. Compared to the control, serum estradiol (E2) level, the mRNA expression levels of genes regulating E2 production (17β-hsd, 3β-hsd and Star) in ovary and the protein expression levels of E2 receptors (ERα, ERβ), AMPKα and p-AMPKα1 in liver increased significantly, and the mRNA expression levels of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) downstream genes (Srebp-1c, Fas and Scd1) in liver decreased significantly in the female aged PS-MPs group. Liver metabolomic profiling showed that differential metabolites between female aged PS-MPs group and female control group were enriched in biotin metabolism and the level of biotin increased significantly in the female aged PS-MPs group. However, no significant changes were detected in males. These results indicated that aged PS-MPs exposure increased ovarian E2 production and activated the AMPK pathway in the liver which might inhibit liver lipid synthesis only in females. Our findings provide new insights into the potential sex-specific health effects of environmental MPs pollution.

A bioinformatic search for correspondence between differentially expressed genes of domestic versus wild animals and orthologous human genes altering reproductive potential

One of the greatest achievements of genetics in the 20th century is D.K. Belyaev’s discovery of destabilizing selection during the domestication of animals and that this selection affects only gene expression regulation (not gene structure) and inf luences systems of neuroendocrine control of ontogenesis in a stressful environment. Among the experimental data generalized by Belyaev’s discovery, there are also f indings about accelerated extinc tion of testes’ hormonal function and disrupted seasonality of reproduction of domesticated foxes in comparison with their wild congeners. To date, Belyaev’s discovery has already been repeatedly conf irmed, for example, by independent observations during deer domestication, during the use of rats as laboratory animals, after the reintroduction of endangered species such as Przewalski’s horse, and during the creation of a Siberian reserve population of the Siberian grouse when it had reached an endangered status in natural habitats. A genome-wide comparison among humans, several domestic animals, and some of their wild congeners has given rise to the concept of self-domestication syndrome, which includes autism spectrum disorders. In our previous study, we created a bioinformatic model of human self-domestication syndrome using differentially expressed genes (DEGs; of domestic animals versus their wild congeners) orthologous to the human genes (mainly, nervous-system genes) whose changes in expression affect reproductive potential, i. e., growth of the number of humans in the absence of restrictions caused by limiting factors. Here, we applied this model to 68 human genes whose changes in expression alter the reproductive health of women and men and to 3080 DEGs of domestic versus wild animals. As a result, in domestic animals, we identif ied 16 and 4 DEGs, the expression changes of which are codirected with changes in the expression of the human orthologous genes decreasing and increasing human reproductive potential, respectively. The wild animals had 9 and 11 such DEGs, respectively. This difference between domestic and wild animals was signif icant according to Pearson’s χ2 test (p < 0.05) and Fisher’s exact test (p < 0.05). We discuss the results from the standpoint of restoration of endangered animal species whose natural habitats are subject to an anthropogenic impact.

l-Argine regulates the proliferation, apoptosis and endocrine activity by alleviating oxidative stress in sheep endometrial epithelial cells

l-arginine (L-Arg) is a semiessential amino acid that plays crucial roles in the reproductive performance of animals. This research aimed to investigate the effect of supplementing L-Arg on endometrial epithelial cells (EECs) of Hu sheep. In vivo, female Hu sheep were randomly divided into three groups: control group (n = 5), nutrient-restricted group (n = 5), and L-Arg supplemented nutrient-restricted group (n = 5). Then, the effect of L-Arg on ovine endometrial growth and antioxidant capacity was assessed. We found that L-Arg supplementation promoted the growth of endometrial ductal gland invaginations (DGI), and alleviated oxidative stress in nutrient-restricted sheep. In order to investigate its mechanism, a H₂O₂-induced EECs oxidative stress model was established, and roles of L-Arg in EECs oxidation resistance, proliferation, apoptosis and endocrine activity were studied in vitro. Our results showed that L-Arg markedly decreased the release of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and malonaldehyde (MDA), and enhanced the expression and activity of certain antioxidant enzymes in EECs challenged by the H₂O₂ (p < 0.05). Supplementation of L-Arg significantly reduced the effect of 200 μM H₂O₂ on the viability of EECs (p < 0.05). In addition, EECs treated with L-Arg significantly alleviated the G0/G1-phase cell cycle arrest, apoptosis, and the inhibition of endometrial growth factors expression caused by H₂O₂ (p < 0.05). Overall, the results demonstrate that L-Arg performs crucial roles in maintaining the proliferation of ovine EECs, endocrine activity and inhibiting apoptosis through reducing oxidative stress. This study offers a theoretical basis for using L-Arg to improve sheep the uterine function.

lncRNA FDNCR promotes apoptosis of granulosa cells by targeting the miR-543-3p/DCN/TGF-β signaling pathway in Hu sheep

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) regulate the development of follicles and reproductive diseases, but the mechanisms by which lncRNAs regulate ovarian functions and fertility remain elusive. We profiled the expression of lncRNAs in ovarian tissues of Hu sheep with different prolificacy and identified 21,327 lncRNAs. Many of the lncRNAs were differentially expressed in different groups. We further characterized an lncRNA that was predominantly expressed in the ovaries of the low prolificacy Fec^B+ (LPB+) group and mainly present in granulosa cells (GCs), and the expression of this lncRNA decreased during follicular development, which we named follicular development-associated lncRNA (FDNCR). Next, we found that FDNCR directly binds miR-543-3p, and decorin (DCN) was identified as a target of miR-543-3p. FDNCR overexpression promoted GC apoptosis through increased expression of DCN, which could be attenuated by miR-543-3p. Furthermore, miR-543-3p increased and FDNCR reduced the expression of transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) pathway-related genes, including TGF-β1 and inhibin beta A (INHBA), which were upregulated upon DCN silencing. Our results demonstrated that FDNCR sponges miR-543-3p in GCs and prevents miR-543-3p from binding to the DCN 3′ UTR, resulting in DCN transactivation and TGF-β pathway inhibition and promotion of GC apoptosis in Hu sheep. These findings provide insights into the mechanisms underlying prolificacy in sheep.