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Zhang H, Kong L, Cao Z, Zhu Y, Jiang Y, Wang X, Jiang R, Liu Y, Zhou J, Kang Y, Zhen X, Kong N, Wu M, Yan G, Sun H. EHD1 impaired decidualization of endometrial stromal cells in recurrent implantation failure: role of SENP1 in modulating progesterone receptor signalling†. Biol Reprod 2024; 110:536-547. [PMID: 38011671 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioad161] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2023] [Revised: 10/13/2023] [Accepted: 11/25/2023] [Indexed: 11/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Recurrent implantation failure (RIF) patients exhibit poor endometrial receptivity and abnormal decidualization with reduced effectiveness and exposure to progesterone, which is an intractable clinical problem. However, the associated molecular mechanisms remain elusive. We found that EH domain containing 1 (EHD1) expression was abnormally elevated in RIF and linked to aberrant endometrial decidualization. Here we show that EHD1 overexpressed in human endometrial stromal cells significantly inhibited progesterone receptor (PGR) transcriptional activity and the responsiveness to progesterone. No significant changes were observed in PGR mRNA levels, while a significant decrease in progesterone receptor B (PRB) protein level. Indeed, EHD1 binds to the PRB protein, with the K388 site crucial for this interaction. Overexpression of EHD1 promotes the SUMOylation and ubiquitination of PRB, leading to the degradation of the PRB protein. Supplementation with the de-SUMOylated protease SENP1 ameliorated EHD1-repressed PRB transcriptional activity. To establish a functional link between EHD1 and the PGR signalling pathway, sg-EHD1 were utilized to suppress EHD1 expression in HESCs from RIF patients. A significant increase in the expression of prolactin and insulin-like growth factor-binding protein 1 was detected by interfering with the EHD1. In conclusion, we demonstrated that abnormally high expression of EHD1 in endometrial stromal cells attenuated the activity of PRB associated with progesterone resistance in a subset of women with RIF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Zhang
- Center for Reproductive Medicine and Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, China
- Center for Molecular Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Liping Kong
- Nanjing Vocational Health College, Nanjing, China
| | - Zhiwen Cao
- Center for Molecular Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yinchun Zhu
- Center for Reproductive Medicine and Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, China
| | - Yue Jiang
- Center for Reproductive Medicine and Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, China
| | - Xiaoying Wang
- Center for Molecular Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Ruiwei Jiang
- Center for Reproductive Medicine and Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, China
- Center for Molecular Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yang Liu
- Center for Reproductive Medicine and Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, China
- Center for Molecular Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Jidong Zhou
- Center for Molecular Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yu Kang
- Center for Molecular Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Xin Zhen
- Center for Molecular Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Na Kong
- Center for Reproductive Medicine and Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, China
| | - Min Wu
- Center for Molecular Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Guijun Yan
- Center for Reproductive Medicine and Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, China
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Haixiang Sun
- Center for Reproductive Medicine and Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, China
- Center for Molecular Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
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Schalich KM, Koganti PP, Castillo JM, Reiff OM, Cheong SH, Selvaraj V. The uterine secretory cycle: recurring physiology of endometrial outputs that setup the uterine luminal microenvironment. Physiol Genomics 2024; 56:74-97. [PMID: 37694291 DOI: 10.1152/physiolgenomics.00035.2023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2023] [Revised: 09/08/2023] [Accepted: 09/08/2023] [Indexed: 09/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Conserved in female reproduction across all mammalian species is the estrous cycle and its regulation by the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis, a collective of intersected hormonal events that are crucial for ensuring uterine fertility. Nonetheless, knowledge of the direct mediators that synchronously shape the uterine microenvironment for successive yet distinct events, such as the transit of sperm and support for progressive stages of preimplantation embryo development, remain principally deficient. Toward understanding the timed endometrial outputs that permit luminal events as directed by the estrous cycle, we used Bovidae as a model system to uniquely surface sample and study temporal shifts to in vivo endometrial transcripts that encode for proteins destined to be secreted. The results revealed the full quantitative profile of endometrial components that shape the uterine luminal microenvironment at distinct phases of the estrous cycle (estrus, metestrus, diestrus, and proestrus). In interpreting this comprehensive log of stage-specific endometrial secretions, we define the "uterine secretory cycle" and extract a predictive understanding of recurring physiological actions regulated within the uterine lumen in anticipation of sperm and preimplantation embryonic stages. This repetitive microenvironmental preparedness to sequentially provide operative support was a stable intrinsic framework, with only limited responses to sperm or embryos if encountered in the lumen within the cyclic time period. In uncovering the secretory cycle and unraveling realistic biological processes, we present novel foundational knowledge of terminal effectors controlled by the HPG axis to direct a recurring sequence of vital functions within the uterine lumen.NEW & NOTEWORTHY This study unravels the recurring sequence of changes within the uterus that supports vital functions (sperm transit and development of preimplantation embryonic stages) during the reproductive cycle in female Ruminantia. These data present new systems knowledge in uterine reproductive physiology crucial for setting up in vitro biomimicry and artificial environments for assisted reproduction technologies for a range of mammalian species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kasey M Schalich
- Department of Animal Science, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, United States
| | - Prasanthi P Koganti
- Department of Animal Science, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, United States
| | - Juan M Castillo
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Veterinary College, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, United States
| | - Olivia M Reiff
- Department of Animal Science, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, United States
| | - Soon Hon Cheong
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Veterinary College, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, United States
| | - Vimal Selvaraj
- Department of Animal Science, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, United States
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Muro BBD, Oliveira ACR, Carnevale RF, Leal DF, Monteiro MS, Poor AP, Pereira FA, de Souza LJ, Ferreira JB, Almond GW, Garbossa CAP. Altrenogest Supplementation during Early Pregnancy Improves Reproductive Outcome in Pigs. Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:ani12141801. [PMID: 35883348 PMCID: PMC9312252 DOI: 10.3390/ani12141801] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2022] [Revised: 07/08/2022] [Accepted: 07/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Progesterone plays an important role in initial conceptus development and in a successful pregnancy, but results related to progesterone or its analogues (altrenogest) supplementation in early pregnancy of pigs are conflicting. The present study evaluated the effects of altrenogest supplementation in sows during days 6 and 12 of pregnancy on reproductive performance. On day 6 of pregnancy, 301 females were allocated at random to one of the following treatments: CON (Control: non-supplemented females, n = 163) or ALT (females daily supplemented with 20 mg of altrenogest, orally, from day 6 to 12 of pregnancy, n = 138). Ovulation was considered as occurred at 48 h after the first estrus detection to standardize the first day of pregnancy. The supplementation increased the number of total piglets born (ALT: 17.3 ± 0.4; CON: 16.6 ± 0.4), piglets born alive (ALT: 15.6 ± 0.4; CON: 14.8 ± 0.3), and placenta weight (ALT: 4.2 ± 0.1; CON: 3.8 ± 0.1) and decreased the stillbirth rate (ALT: 5.9 ± 0.6; CON: 7.6 ± 0.6) and the number of piglets born weighing less than 800 g (ALT: 6.6 ± 0.6; CON: 8.0 ± 0.6), without impairment on farrowing rate. These results demonstrated that altrenogest supplementation on swine females between days 6 and 12 of pregnancy may be used to improve reproductive performance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bruno Bracco Donatelli Muro
- Department of Nutrition and Animal Production, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of São Paulo (USP), Pirassununga 13635-900, Brazil; (A.C.R.O.); (R.F.C.); (F.A.P.); (C.A.P.G.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Ana Clara Rodrigues Oliveira
- Department of Nutrition and Animal Production, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of São Paulo (USP), Pirassununga 13635-900, Brazil; (A.C.R.O.); (R.F.C.); (F.A.P.); (C.A.P.G.)
| | - Rafaella Fernandes Carnevale
- Department of Nutrition and Animal Production, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of São Paulo (USP), Pirassununga 13635-900, Brazil; (A.C.R.O.); (R.F.C.); (F.A.P.); (C.A.P.G.)
| | - Diego Feitosa Leal
- Department of Population Health & Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University (NCSU), Raleigh, NC 27607, USA; (D.F.L.); (J.B.F.); (G.W.A.)
| | - Matheus Saliba Monteiro
- Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine and Animal Health, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, University of São Paulo (USP), São Paulo 05508-270, Brazil; (M.S.M.); (A.P.P.)
| | - André Pegoraro Poor
- Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine and Animal Health, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, University of São Paulo (USP), São Paulo 05508-270, Brazil; (M.S.M.); (A.P.P.)
| | - Francisco Alves Pereira
- Department of Nutrition and Animal Production, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of São Paulo (USP), Pirassununga 13635-900, Brazil; (A.C.R.O.); (R.F.C.); (F.A.P.); (C.A.P.G.)
| | - Leury Jesus de Souza
- Luiz Queiroz College of Agriculture, University of São Paulo, Piracicaba 13418-900, Brazil;
| | - Juliana Bonin Ferreira
- Department of Population Health & Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University (NCSU), Raleigh, NC 27607, USA; (D.F.L.); (J.B.F.); (G.W.A.)
| | - Glen William Almond
- Department of Population Health & Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University (NCSU), Raleigh, NC 27607, USA; (D.F.L.); (J.B.F.); (G.W.A.)
| | - Cesar Augusto Pospissil Garbossa
- Department of Nutrition and Animal Production, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of São Paulo (USP), Pirassununga 13635-900, Brazil; (A.C.R.O.); (R.F.C.); (F.A.P.); (C.A.P.G.)
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Ding Z, Duan H, Ge W, Lv J, Zeng J, Wang W, Niu T, Hu J, Zhang Y, Zhao X. Regulation of progesterone during follicular development by FSH and LH in sheep. Anim Reprod 2022; 19:e20220027. [PMID: 35847559 PMCID: PMC9276014 DOI: 10.1590/1984-3143-ar2022-0027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2022] [Accepted: 06/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Progesterone (P4) can participate in the development of female mammalian antral follicles through nuclear receptor (PGR). In this experiment, the differences of P4 synthesis and PGR expression in different developmental stages of sheep antral follicles (large > 5mm, medium 2-5mm, small < 2mm) were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, immunohistochemistry, qRT-PCR and Western blotting. Secondly, sheep follicular granulosa cells were cultured in vitro. The effects of different concentrations of FSH and LH on P4 synthesis and PGR expression were studied. The results showed that acute steroid regulatory protein (StAR), cholesterol side chain lyase (P450scc) and 3β Hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3β-HSD) and PGR were expressed in antral follicles, and with the development of antral follicles in sheep, StAR, P450scc and the expression of 3β-HSD and PGR increased significantly. In vitro experiments showed that FSH and LH alone or together treatment could regulate P4 secretion and PGR expression in sheep follicular granulosa cells to varying degrees, hint P4 and PGR by FSH and LH, and LH was the main factor. Our results supplement the effects of FSH and LH on the regulation of P4 synthesis during follicular development, which provides new data for further study of steroid synthesis and function in follicular development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ziqiang Ding
- Gansu Agricultural University, China; Gansu Key Laboratory of Animal Generational Physiology, China
| | - Hongwei Duan
- Gansu Agricultural University, China; Gansu Key Laboratory of Animal Generational Physiology, China
| | - Wenbo Ge
- Lanzhou Institute of Husbandry and Pharmaceutical Sciences of CAAS, China
| | - Jianshu Lv
- Gansu Agricultural University, China; Gansu Key Laboratory of Animal Generational Physiology, China
| | - Jianlin Zeng
- Gansu Agricultural University, China; Gansu Key Laboratory of Animal Generational Physiology, China
| | - Wenjuan Wang
- Gansu Agricultural University, China; Gansu Key Laboratory of Animal Generational Physiology, China
| | - Tian Niu
- Gansu Agricultural University, China
| | - Junjie Hu
- Gansu Agricultural University, China; Gansu Key Laboratory of Animal Generational Physiology, China
| | - Yong Zhang
- Gansu Agricultural University, China; Gansu Key Laboratory of Animal Generational Physiology, China
| | - Xingxu Zhao
- Gansu Agricultural University, China; Gansu Key Laboratory of Animal Generational Physiology, China
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Ran X, Hu F, Mao N, Ruan Y, Yi F, Niu X, Huang S, Li S, You L, Zhang F, Tang L, Wang J, Liu J. Differences in gene expression and variable splicing events of ovaries between large and small litter size in Chinese Xiang pigs. Porcine Health Manag 2021; 7:52. [PMID: 34470660 PMCID: PMC8411529 DOI: 10.1186/s40813-021-00226-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2021] [Accepted: 07/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Although lots of quantitative trait loci (QTLs) and genes present roles in litter size of some breeds, the information might not make it clear for the huge diversity of reproductive capability in pig breeds. To elucidate the inherent mechanisms of heterogeneity of reproductive capability in litter size of Xiang pig, we performed transcriptome analysis for the expression profile in ovaries using RNA-seq method. RESULTS We identified 1,419 up-regulated and 1,376 down-regulated genes in Xiang pigs with large litter size. Among them, 1,010 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were differently spliced between two groups with large or small litter sizes. Based on GO and KEGG analysis, numerous members of genes were gathered in ovarian steroidogenesis, steroid biosynthesis, oocyte maturation and reproduction processes. CONCLUSIONS Combined with gene biological function, twelve genes were found out that might be related with the reproductive capability of Xiang pig, of which, eleven genes were recognized as hub genes. These genes may play a role in promoting litter size by elevating steroid and peptide hormones supply through the ovary and facilitating the processes of ovulation and in vivo fertilization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xueqin Ran
- College of Animal Science, Institute of Agro-Bioengineering and Key Laboratory of Plant Resource Conservative and Germplam Innovation in Mountainous Region (Ministry of Education), Guizhou University, 550025, Guiyang, China
| | - Fengbin Hu
- College of Animal Science, Institute of Agro-Bioengineering and Key Laboratory of Plant Resource Conservative and Germplam Innovation in Mountainous Region (Ministry of Education), Guizhou University, 550025, Guiyang, China
| | - Ning Mao
- College of Animal Science, Institute of Agro-Bioengineering and Key Laboratory of Plant Resource Conservative and Germplam Innovation in Mountainous Region (Ministry of Education), Guizhou University, 550025, Guiyang, China
| | - Yiqi Ruan
- College of Animal Science, Institute of Agro-Bioengineering and Key Laboratory of Plant Resource Conservative and Germplam Innovation in Mountainous Region (Ministry of Education), Guizhou University, 550025, Guiyang, China
| | - Fanli Yi
- College of Animal Science, Institute of Agro-Bioengineering and Key Laboratory of Plant Resource Conservative and Germplam Innovation in Mountainous Region (Ministry of Education), Guizhou University, 550025, Guiyang, China
| | - Xi Niu
- College of Animal Science, Institute of Agro-Bioengineering and Key Laboratory of Plant Resource Conservative and Germplam Innovation in Mountainous Region (Ministry of Education), Guizhou University, 550025, Guiyang, China
| | - Shihui Huang
- College of Animal Science, Institute of Agro-Bioengineering and Key Laboratory of Plant Resource Conservative and Germplam Innovation in Mountainous Region (Ministry of Education), Guizhou University, 550025, Guiyang, China
| | - Sheng Li
- College of Animal Science, Institute of Agro-Bioengineering and Key Laboratory of Plant Resource Conservative and Germplam Innovation in Mountainous Region (Ministry of Education), Guizhou University, 550025, Guiyang, China
| | - Longjiang You
- College of Animal Science, Institute of Agro-Bioengineering and Key Laboratory of Plant Resource Conservative and Germplam Innovation in Mountainous Region (Ministry of Education), Guizhou University, 550025, Guiyang, China
| | - Fuping Zhang
- College of Animal Science, Institute of Agro-Bioengineering and Key Laboratory of Plant Resource Conservative and Germplam Innovation in Mountainous Region (Ministry of Education), Guizhou University, 550025, Guiyang, China
| | - Liangting Tang
- College of Animal Science, Institute of Agro-Bioengineering and Key Laboratory of Plant Resource Conservative and Germplam Innovation in Mountainous Region (Ministry of Education), Guizhou University, 550025, Guiyang, China
| | - Jiafu Wang
- College of Animal Science, Institute of Agro-Bioengineering and Key Laboratory of Plant Resource Conservative and Germplam Innovation in Mountainous Region (Ministry of Education), Guizhou University, 550025, Guiyang, China.
| | - Jianfeng Liu
- National Engineering Laboratory for Animal Breeding, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, 100193, Beijing, China
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Yurina A, Skovorodin E, Dolmatova I. Evaluation of reproductive traits and ovarian and uterine morphology of sows with different genotypes for the estrogen receptor, prolactin receptor, and follicle-stimulating hormone subunit beta genes. CANADIAN JOURNAL OF VETERINARY RESEARCH = REVUE CANADIENNE DE RECHERCHE VETERINAIRE 2021; 85:186-192. [PMID: 34248262 PMCID: PMC8243814] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2020] [Accepted: 02/05/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to analyze the morpho-functional features of the ovaries and uterus of sows with different genotypes for the estrogen receptor (ESR), prolactin receptor (PRLR), and follicle-stimulating hormone subunit beta (FSHβ) genes associated with reproductive traits. Healthy Large White sows were studied. The genotypic status of the ESR, PRLR, and FSHβ genes was detected by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism. The structure of the ovaries and uterus was studied using quantitative assessment of organs and histological research. Sows with the ESR BB genotype significantly exceeded animals with the ESR AA genotype in milk yield (by 0.3 kg) and in the number of piglets at birth (by 0.9 animals) and at weaning (by 0.7 animals). Sows with the ESR AB genotype were midway between those with ESR BB and ESR AA genotypes in terms of these reproductive traits. Animals with the PRLR AA genotype significantly exceeded those with the PRLR BB genotype in the number of piglets born (P < 0.05); the differences in litter weight at birth were not significant. Compared to other genotypes, sows with genotypes ESR BB (P < 0.05) and PRLR AA (AB) (P < 0.05) had larger uteruses and more yellow bodies, tertiary follicles, and primordial follicles in their ovaries. Animals with the FSHβ BB genotype significantly exceeded animals with the FSHβ AB genotype in the length of uterus by 21 cm (P < 0.05).
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Affiliation(s)
- Alena Yurina
- Department of Morphology, Pathology, Pharmacy and Non-Communicable Diseases (Yurina, Skovorodin) and Department of Beekeeping, Small Animal Science and Breeding of Animals, Laboratory of Molecular Genetics (Dolmatova), Federal State Budgetary Educational Establishment of Higher Education, Bashkir State Agrarian University, Ufa, Russia
| | - Evgeny Skovorodin
- Department of Morphology, Pathology, Pharmacy and Non-Communicable Diseases (Yurina, Skovorodin) and Department of Beekeeping, Small Animal Science and Breeding of Animals, Laboratory of Molecular Genetics (Dolmatova), Federal State Budgetary Educational Establishment of Higher Education, Bashkir State Agrarian University, Ufa, Russia
| | - Irina Dolmatova
- Department of Morphology, Pathology, Pharmacy and Non-Communicable Diseases (Yurina, Skovorodin) and Department of Beekeeping, Small Animal Science and Breeding of Animals, Laboratory of Molecular Genetics (Dolmatova), Federal State Budgetary Educational Establishment of Higher Education, Bashkir State Agrarian University, Ufa, Russia
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7
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Wijesena HR, Kachman SD, Lents CA, Riethoven JJ, Trenhaile-Grannemann MD, Safranski TJ, Spangler ML, Ciobanu DC. Fine mapping genetic variants associated with age at puberty and sow fertility using SowPro90 genotyping array. J Anim Sci 2021; 98:5901653. [PMID: 32888012 DOI: 10.1093/jas/skaa293] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2020] [Accepted: 09/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Sow fertility traits, such as litter size and the number of lifetime parities produced (reproductive longevity), are economically important. Selection for these traits is difficult because they are lowly heritable and expressed late in life. Age at puberty (AP) is an early indicator of reproductive longevity. Here, we utilized a custom Affymetrix single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) array (SowPro90) enriched with positional candidate genetic variants for AP and a haplotype-based genome-wide association study to fine map the genetic sources associated with AP and other fertility traits in research (University of Nebraska-Lincoln [UNL]) and commercial sow populations. Five major quantitative trait loci (QTL) located on four Sus scrofa chromosomes (SSC2, SSC7, SSC14, and SSC18) were discovered for AP in the UNL population. Negative correlations (r = -0.96 to -0.10; P < 0.0001) were observed at each QTL between genomic estimated breeding values for AP and reproductive longevity measured as lifetime number of parities (LTNP). Some of the SNPs discovered in the major QTL regions for AP were located in candidate genes with fertility-associated gene ontologies (e.g., P2RX3, NR2F2, OAS1, and PTPN11). These SNPs showed significant (P < 0.05) or suggestive (P < 0.15) associations with AP, reproductive longevity, and litter size traits in the UNL population and litter size traits in the commercial sows. For example, in the UNL population, when the number of favorable alleles of an SNP located in the 3' untranslated region of PTPN11 (SSC14) increased, AP decreased (P < 0.0001), while LTNP increased (P < 0.10). Additionally, a suggestive difference in the observed NR2F2 isoforms usage was hypothesized to be the source of the QTL for puberty onset mapped on SSC7. It will be beneficial to further characterize these candidate SNPs and genes to understand their impact on protein sequence and function, gene expression, splicing process, and how these changes affect the phenotypic variation of fertility traits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiruni R Wijesena
- Department of Animal Science, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE
| | - Stephen D Kachman
- Department of Statistics, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE
| | - Clay A Lents
- U.S. Meat Animal Research Center, USDA, ARS, Clay Center, NE
| | | | | | - Tim J Safranski
- Department of Animal Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO
| | - Matthew L Spangler
- Department of Animal Science, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE
| | - Daniel C Ciobanu
- Department of Animal Science, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE
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8
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Integrated Analysis of miRNA-mRNA Network Reveals Different Regulatory Patterns in the Endometrium of Meishan and Duroc Sows during Mid-Late Gestation. Animals (Basel) 2020; 10:ani10030420. [PMID: 32138165 PMCID: PMC7143271 DOI: 10.3390/ani10030420] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2020] [Revised: 02/29/2020] [Accepted: 03/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Meishan pigs have a lower fetal loss rate during mid-late gestation compared to Duroc pigs. Differentially expressed mRNAs and miRNAs detected in endometrial tissue from Meishan and Duroc sows at mid-late gestation are involved in regulating hormone and oxygen levels, blood vessel development, and developmental processes affecting reproduction. In addition, ssc-miR-503 and ssc-miR-671-5p were shown to target the EGF and ESR1 genes, respectively. These findings provided an important resource for studying embryonic mortality during mid-late gestation in pigs. Abstract Embryo loss is a major factor affecting profitability in the pig industry. Embryonic mortality occurs during peri-implantation and mid-late gestation in pigs. Previous investigations have shown that the embryo loss rate in Meishan pigs is significantly lower than in commercial breeds. Most studies have focused on embryonic mortality during early gestation, but little is known about losses during mid-late gestation. In this study, we performed a transcriptome analysis of endometrial tissue in mid-late gestation sows (gestation days 49 and 72) sampled from two breeds (Meishan (MS) and Duroc (DU)) that have different embryo loss rates. We identified 411, 1113, 697, and 327 differentially expressed genes, and 14, 36, 57, and 43 differentially expressed miRNAs in four comparisons (DU49 vs. DU72, DU49 vs. MS49, DU72 vs. MS72, and MS49 vs. MS72), respectively. Subsequently; seven differentially expressed mRNAs and miRNAs were validated using qPCR. Functional analysis suggested the differentially expressed genes and miRNAs target genes mainly involved in regulation of hormone levels, blood vessel development, developmental process involved in reproduction, embryonic placenta development, and the immune system. A network analysis of potential miRNA-gene interactions revealed that differentially expressed miRNAs in Meishan pigs are involved in the response to estradiol and oxygen levels, and affect angiogenesis and blood vessel development. The binding site on ssc-miR-503 for epidermal growth factor (EGF) and the binding site on ssc-miR-671-5p for estrogen receptor α (ESR1) were identified using a dual luciferase assay. The results of this study will enable further exploration of miRNA-mRNA interactions important in pig pregnancy and will help to uncover molecular mechanisms affecting embryonic mortality in pigs during mid-late gestation.
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9
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Supplemental progesterone during early pregnancy exerts divergent responses on embryonic characteristics in sows and gilts. Animal 2020; 14:1234-1240. [PMID: 31907084 DOI: 10.1017/s1751731119002982] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Progesterone (P4) plays a key role in pregnancy establishment and maintenance; during early pregnancy, P4 stimulates the production and release of uterine secretions necessary for conceptus growth prior to implantation; therefore, exogenous P4 supplementation may improve embryo development. This study evaluated the effects of supplementation during early pregnancy with long-acting injectable progesterone or altrenogest on embryonic characteristics of sows and gilts. Thus, a total of 32 sows and 16 gilts were used. On day 6 of pregnancy sows and gilts were allocated to one of the following groups: non-supplemented; supplemented with 20 mg of altrenogest, orally, from days 6 to 12 of pregnancy; supplemented with 2.15 mg/kg of long-acting injectable progesterone on day 6 of pregnancy. Animals were killed on day 28 of pregnancy, and ovulation rate, embryo survival, embryo weight, crown-to-rump length, uterine glandular epithelium and endometrial vascularization were assessed. Treatments had no effect on pregnancy rate, embryo survival or endometrial vascular density (P > 0.05). Non-supplemented gilts presented larger and heavier embryos compared to gilts from supplemented groups (P < 0.05). Sows in the altrenogest group presented larger and heavier embryos compared to non-supplemented sows and sows supplemented with long-acting injectable progesterone. In conclusion, supplementation of sows and gilts with progestagen from day 6 of pregnancy can be used as a means to improve embryo survival without deleterious effects.
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Wijesena HR, Lents CA, Riethoven JJ, Trenhaile-Grannemann MD, Thorson JF, Keel BN, Miller PS, Spangler ML, Kachman SD, Ciobanu DC. GENOMICS SYMPOSIUM: Using genomic approaches to uncover sources of variation in age at puberty and reproductive longevity in sows1,2. J Anim Sci 2017. [DOI: 10.2527/jas.2016.1334] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- H. R. Wijesena
- Department of Animal Science, University of Nebraska, Lincoln 68583
| | - C. A. Lents
- USDA, ARS, U.S. Meat Animal Research Center, Clay Center, NE, 68933
| | - J.-J. Riethoven
- Center for Biotechnology, University of Nebraska, Lincoln 68583
| | | | - J. F. Thorson
- USDA, ARS, U.S. Meat Animal Research Center, Clay Center, NE, 68933
| | - B. N. Keel
- USDA, ARS, U.S. Meat Animal Research Center, Clay Center, NE, 68933
| | - P. S. Miller
- Department of Animal Science, University of Nebraska, Lincoln 68583
| | - M. L. Spangler
- Department of Animal Science, University of Nebraska, Lincoln 68583
| | - S. D. Kachman
- Department of Statistics, University of Nebraska, Lincoln 68583
| | - D. C. Ciobanu
- Department of Animal Science, University of Nebraska, Lincoln 68583
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