Li Liang, Deng Xun, Hu Silu, Cui Zhifu, Ning Zifan, Gui Taotao, Zhao Xiaoling, Li Diyan, Wang Yan, Yin Huadong, Ye Lin, Tian Yaofu, Zhang Yao, Li Hua, Zhu Qing
Farm Animal Genetic Resources Exploration and Innovation Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, College of Animal Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China.
Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Molecular Design and Precise Breeding, Foshan University, Foshan 528231, China.
Animals (Basel). 2021 May 25;11(6):1533. doi: 10.3390/ani11061533.
Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) and mRNAs are temporally expressed during chicken follicle development. However, follicle transcriptome studies in chickens with timepoints relating to changes in luteinizing hormone (LH) levels are rare. In this study, gene expression in Rohman layers was investigated at three distinct stages of the ovulatory cycle: zeitgeber time 0 (ZT0, 9:00 a.m.), zeitgeber time 12 (ZT12, 9:00 p.m.), and zeitgeber time 20 (ZT20, 5:00 a.m.) representing the early, middle, and LH surge stages, respectively, of the ovulatory cycle. Gene expression profiles were explored during follicle development at ZT0, ZT12, and ZT20 using Ribo-Zero RNA sequencing. The three stages were separated into two major stages, including the pre-LH surge and the LH surge stages. A total of 12,479 mRNAs and 7528 lncRNAs were identified among the three stages, and 4531, 523 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and 2367, 211 differentially expressed lncRNAs (DELs) were identified in the ZT20 vs. ZT12, and ZT12 vs. ZT0, comparisons. Functional enrichment analysis revealed that genes involved in cell proliferation and metabolism processes (lipid-related) were mainly enriched in the ZT0 and ZT12 stages, respectively, and genes related to oxidative stress, steroids regulation, and inflammatory process were enriched in the ZT20 stage. These findings provide the basis for further investigation of the specific genetic and molecular functions of follicle development in chickens.
长链非编码RNA（lncRNAs）和信使核糖核酸（mRNAs）在鸡卵泡发育过程中呈阶段性表达。然而，针对鸡卵泡转录组与促黄体生成素（LH）水平变化相关时间点的研究却很少。在本研究中，对罗曼蛋鸡排卵周期的三个不同阶段进行了基因表达研究：生物钟时间0（ZT0，上午9:00）、生物钟时间12（ZT12，晚上9:00）和生物钟时间20（ZT20，凌晨5:00），分别代表排卵周期的早期、中期和LH激增期。利用Ribo-Zero RNA测序技术，在ZT0、ZT12和ZT20卵泡发育过程中探索基因表达谱。这三个阶段被分为两个主要阶段，包括LH激增前阶段和LH激增阶段。在这三个阶段共鉴定出12479个mRNA和7528个lncRNA，在ZT20与ZT12、ZT12与ZT0的比较中分别鉴定出4531、523个差异表达基因（DEGs）和2367、211个差异表达lncRNA（DELs）。功能富集分析表明，参与细胞增殖和代谢过程（脂质相关）的基因分别主要富集在ZT0和ZT12阶段，与氧化应激、类固醇调节和炎症过程相关的基因在ZT20阶段富集。这些发现为进一步研究鸡卵泡发育的特定遗传和分子功能提供了基础。
