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Liu Y, Du M, Zhang L, Wang N, He Q, Cao J, Zhao B, Li X, Li B, Bou G, Zhao Y, Dugarjaviin M. Comparative Analysis of mRNA and lncRNA Expression Profiles in Testicular Tissue of Sexually Immature and Sexually Mature Mongolian Horses. Animals (Basel) 2024; 14:1717. [PMID: 38929336 PMCID: PMC11200857 DOI: 10.3390/ani14121717] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2024] [Revised: 06/01/2024] [Accepted: 06/04/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Testicular development and spermatogenesis are tightly regulated by both coding and non-coding genes, with mRNA and lncRNA playing crucial roles in post-transcriptional gene expression regulation. However, there are significant differences in regulatory mechanisms before and after sexual maturity. Nevertheless, the mRNAs and lncRNAs in the testes of Mongolian horses have not been systematically identified. In this study, we first identified the testicular tissues of sexually immature and sexually mature Mongolian horses at the tissue and protein levels, and comprehensively analyzed the expression profiles of mRNA and lncRNA in the testes of 1-year-old (12 months, n = 3) and 10-year-old (n = 3) Mongolian horses using RNA sequencing technology. Through gene expression analysis, we identified 16,582 mRNAs and 2128 unknown lncRNAs that are commonly expressed in both sexually immature and sexually mature Mongolian horses. Meanwhile, 9217 mRNAs (p < 0.05) and 2191 unknown lncRNAs (p < 0.05) were identified as differentially expressed between the two stages, which were further validated by real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR and analyzed using Gene Ontology (GO) and the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG). The analysis results showed that genes in the sexually immature stage were mainly enriched in terms related to cellular infrastructure, while genes in the sexually mature stage were enriched in terms associated with hormones, metabolism, and spermatogenesis. In summary, the findings of this study provide valuable resources for a deeper understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying testicular development and spermatogenesis in Mongolian horses and offer new perspectives for future related research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuanyi Liu
- Key Laboratory of Equus Germplasm Innovation, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Hohhot 010018, China; (Y.L.); (L.Z.); (N.W.); (Q.H.); (J.C.); (B.Z.); (X.L.); (B.L.); (G.B.); (Y.Z.)
- Inner Mongolia Key Laboratory of Equine Science Research and Technology Innovation, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot 010018, China
- Equus Research Center, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot 010018, China
| | - Ming Du
- Key Laboratory of Equus Germplasm Innovation, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Hohhot 010018, China; (Y.L.); (L.Z.); (N.W.); (Q.H.); (J.C.); (B.Z.); (X.L.); (B.L.); (G.B.); (Y.Z.)
- Inner Mongolia Key Laboratory of Equine Science Research and Technology Innovation, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot 010018, China
- Equus Research Center, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot 010018, China
| | - Lei Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Equus Germplasm Innovation, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Hohhot 010018, China; (Y.L.); (L.Z.); (N.W.); (Q.H.); (J.C.); (B.Z.); (X.L.); (B.L.); (G.B.); (Y.Z.)
- Inner Mongolia Key Laboratory of Equine Science Research and Technology Innovation, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot 010018, China
- Equus Research Center, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot 010018, China
| | - Na Wang
- Key Laboratory of Equus Germplasm Innovation, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Hohhot 010018, China; (Y.L.); (L.Z.); (N.W.); (Q.H.); (J.C.); (B.Z.); (X.L.); (B.L.); (G.B.); (Y.Z.)
- Inner Mongolia Key Laboratory of Equine Science Research and Technology Innovation, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot 010018, China
- Equus Research Center, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot 010018, China
| | - Qianqian He
- Key Laboratory of Equus Germplasm Innovation, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Hohhot 010018, China; (Y.L.); (L.Z.); (N.W.); (Q.H.); (J.C.); (B.Z.); (X.L.); (B.L.); (G.B.); (Y.Z.)
- Inner Mongolia Key Laboratory of Equine Science Research and Technology Innovation, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot 010018, China
- Equus Research Center, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot 010018, China
| | - Jialong Cao
- Key Laboratory of Equus Germplasm Innovation, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Hohhot 010018, China; (Y.L.); (L.Z.); (N.W.); (Q.H.); (J.C.); (B.Z.); (X.L.); (B.L.); (G.B.); (Y.Z.)
- Inner Mongolia Key Laboratory of Equine Science Research and Technology Innovation, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot 010018, China
- Equus Research Center, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot 010018, China
| | - Bilig Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Equus Germplasm Innovation, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Hohhot 010018, China; (Y.L.); (L.Z.); (N.W.); (Q.H.); (J.C.); (B.Z.); (X.L.); (B.L.); (G.B.); (Y.Z.)
- Inner Mongolia Key Laboratory of Equine Science Research and Technology Innovation, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot 010018, China
- Equus Research Center, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot 010018, China
| | - Xinyu Li
- Key Laboratory of Equus Germplasm Innovation, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Hohhot 010018, China; (Y.L.); (L.Z.); (N.W.); (Q.H.); (J.C.); (B.Z.); (X.L.); (B.L.); (G.B.); (Y.Z.)
- Inner Mongolia Key Laboratory of Equine Science Research and Technology Innovation, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot 010018, China
- Equus Research Center, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot 010018, China
| | - Bei Li
- Key Laboratory of Equus Germplasm Innovation, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Hohhot 010018, China; (Y.L.); (L.Z.); (N.W.); (Q.H.); (J.C.); (B.Z.); (X.L.); (B.L.); (G.B.); (Y.Z.)
- Inner Mongolia Key Laboratory of Equine Science Research and Technology Innovation, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot 010018, China
- Equus Research Center, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot 010018, China
| | - Gerelchimeg Bou
- Key Laboratory of Equus Germplasm Innovation, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Hohhot 010018, China; (Y.L.); (L.Z.); (N.W.); (Q.H.); (J.C.); (B.Z.); (X.L.); (B.L.); (G.B.); (Y.Z.)
- Inner Mongolia Key Laboratory of Equine Science Research and Technology Innovation, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot 010018, China
- Equus Research Center, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot 010018, China
| | - Yiping Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Equus Germplasm Innovation, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Hohhot 010018, China; (Y.L.); (L.Z.); (N.W.); (Q.H.); (J.C.); (B.Z.); (X.L.); (B.L.); (G.B.); (Y.Z.)
- Inner Mongolia Key Laboratory of Equine Science Research and Technology Innovation, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot 010018, China
- Equus Research Center, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot 010018, China
| | - Manglai Dugarjaviin
- Key Laboratory of Equus Germplasm Innovation, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Hohhot 010018, China; (Y.L.); (L.Z.); (N.W.); (Q.H.); (J.C.); (B.Z.); (X.L.); (B.L.); (G.B.); (Y.Z.)
- Inner Mongolia Key Laboratory of Equine Science Research and Technology Innovation, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot 010018, China
- Equus Research Center, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot 010018, China
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de Oliveira RA, Aurich C. Aspects of Breeding Stallion Management with Specific Focus on Animal Welfare. J Equine Vet Sci 2021; 107:103773. [PMID: 34802626 DOI: 10.1016/j.jevs.2021.103773] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2021] [Revised: 09/14/2021] [Accepted: 09/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Risk prevention is often counterproductive to stallions' living conditions when assessed under welfare aspects. In the wild, stallions live in social groups, but under domestic conditions, the majority of breeding stallions live in individual boxes with limited social contact. This stimulates aggressiveness and the incidence of stereotypic behavior. While racehorse stallions start their breeding career after having finished their performance career, riding horse stallions are often simultaneously used for breeding and performance. Training, performance, and the associated stress are unlikely to impair semen characteristics, but performing stallions may benefit from more opportunities for social contact. With regard to accommodation of stallions in single boxes, changes in the construction of the partition between them may help to improve social contact from merely visual to much more physical. This will help to reduce social isolation but requires careful observation if neighbors tend to either sympathize or fight with each other. Careful organization of the barn is thus of great importance. Under certain conditions, even keeping adult stallions in groups on spacious pastures is possible. Interestingly, the frequency of agonistic interactions usually decreases quickly and remains low after successful group integration. General changes in the husbandry of young stallions and at their transfer into the future career may help to produce stallions with better social skills and facilitate accommodation under improved welfare conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Christine Aurich
- Artificial Insemination and Embryo Transfer, Department for Small Animals and Horses, Vienna, Austria.
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Herrera-Luna CV, Scarlet D, Walter I, Aurich C. Effect of stallion age on the expression of LH and FSH receptors and aromatase P450 in equine male reproductive tissues. Reprod Fertil Dev 2016; 28:2016-2026. [DOI: 10.1071/rd15027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2015] [Accepted: 06/06/2015] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The aim of the present study was to characterise receptors for LH and FSH (LHR and FSHR, respectively) and aromatase in epididymal and testicular tissue from stallions of different ages (prepubertal, young, mature and old). Gene and protein expression were assessed by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (real-time qPCR), immunohistochemistry and multiple immunofluorescence labelling. There were no differences in LHR mRNA expression in epididymal and testicular parenchyma in stallions of different age. In contrast, expression of FSHR and CYP19A1 in caput, corpus and cauda epididymis and in testicular parenchyma increased with age (P < 0.001). Immunolabelling for LHR, FSHR and aromatase was influenced by puberty. In postpubertal stallions, positive staining for LHR and aromatase was detected in Leydig cells, whereas protein expression of FSHR was present in Sertoli cells and primary spermatocytes. In prepubertal colts, staining for LHR, FSHR and aromatase was detected in seminiferous tubules. In epididymal tissue, aromatase was present in the cauda epididymis only, regardless of age. In conclusion, the results highlight the significance of gonadotropin action and oestrogen production for the maturation of male reproductive tissue in the horse. The presence of FSHR in the seminiferous tubules suggests effects of FSH on spermatogenesis in this species. The importance of oestrogen production for maintenance of testicular function in stallions was confirmed.
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