Differential expression of programmed cell death on the follicular development in normal and miniature pig ovary

Phylogenetic reconstruction of Tuberolachnini and Lachninae (Insecta, Hemiptera): Morphological and molecular analyses revealed a new tribe

BACKGROUND

Lachninae (Insecta: Aphididae) represent a fascinating group of aphids that are traditionally divided into five tribes. Among these, members of the tribe Tuberolachnini exhibit remarkable morphological and biological diversity. One genus of this group, Miyalachnus, known from Japan, is characterized by unique features. Our study aimed to re-examine the tribal classification within Lachninae, with a focus on the diverse Tuberolachnini and the previously understudied genera Miyalachnus and Sinolachnus.

RESULTS

We conducted a comprehensive phylogenetic analysis using four genes (COI, COII, CytB, and EF1α), employing both maximum likelihood (ML) and Bayesian inference (BI) methods on a combined dataset. Our findings challenge the monophyly of Tuberolachnini. The analyses revealed that Miyalachnus and Sinolachnus are phylogenetically distinct from the core Tuberolachnini genera (Nippolachnus, Pyrolachnus, and Tuberolachnus), instead showing a closer relationship with Tramini. Specifically, the Miyalachnus clade forms a sister clade to the clade containing Sinolachnus and Tramini.

CONCLUSIONS

On the basis of these molecular results, corroborated by morphological evidence, we propose to erect a new tribe within the Lachninae-Miyalachnini trib. nov. with Miyalachnus as the type genus. We also provide updated taxonomic diagnoses for the remaining tribes and discuss their relationships as well as distinguishing features.

Functional and morphological maturation of the full-sized and mini-pig corpus luteum by programmed cell death mechanism

Introduction

The formation and function of the corpus luteum (CL) increase the likelihood of pregnancy and efficiently manage implantation. Apoptosis must occur at an appropriate time in the formation of the CL. This also affects its function. However, it is still unclear if the type of apoptosis affects the function.

Material and Methods

We conducted morphological analysis of the CL collected on day 15 between the middle and late oestrous phases of Yorkshire pigs and mini-pigs, and measured the difference in hormone expression and apoptosis using an immunoassay method and messenger RNA level.

Results

The CL cells were more uniform in the Yorkshire pigs than in the mini-pigs, and the composition of the CL was also fuller. The expression of luteinising hormone was higher in the Yorkshire pigs. Apoptosis and the rate of action of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) were different between the two pig types. Expression of MMPs was higher in the Yorkshire pigs than in the mini-pigs. However, the expression of caspase 3 and 20alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase, a progesterone inhibitor, was potentiated in the mini-pigs.

Conclusion

Autophagy throughout the CL was more extensive in the Yorkshire pigs than in the mini-pigs, suggesting that autophagy and cell reorganisation by MMPs were highly correlated. The occurrence of autophagy in the formation and function of the CL may affect the action of hormones and expression of cell reconstitution factors.

CircRNAs in Xiang pig ovaries among diestrus and estrus stages

BACKGROUND

The fecundity of sows is a trait of major economic in pig industry. The molecular regulation of estrus cycles can affect the fecundity of female animals. Compared with the other pig breeds, Xiang pig exhibits the special estrus behaviors. CircRNAs are thought to involve in regulation of multiple biological processes. However, the potential roles of circRNAs in ovary regulation on Xiang pig estrus are largely unknown.

RESULTS

8,937 circRNAs were identified from eight libraries constructed from the ovarian samples of Xiang pig at estrus and diestrus stages by RNA sequencing method. Of which, 1,995 were high confidence circRNAs detected at least two junction reads in each ovary sample and seven circRNAs were validated by RT-PCR method. Furthermore, we identified 290 upregulated and 15 downregulated circRNAs in estrus ovaries. These differentially expressed circRNAs (DECs) derived from 273 host genes. And 207 miRNAs were identified to be targets sponged by 156 DECs with 432 binding sites, containing more than one miRNA binding site in each circRNA. Function enrichment analysis revealed that the host genes and the targets of miRNAs sponged by DECs were enriched in several reproduction-related signaling pathways, such as ovarian steroidogenesis, oocyte maturation, circadian rhythm, estrogen signaling pathway, GnRH signaling pathway, circadian entrainment, and oocyte meiosis. The circRNA-miRNA-mRNA networks revealed that 153 miRNAs interacting with 122 DECs and 86 miRNAs interacting with 84 DECs were involved in ovarian functions and ovarian circadian entrainment and circadian rhythm respectively. The DEC-miRNA-DEG (differentially expressed gene, DEG) networks associated with reproduction-related signaling pathways contained 22 DECs,18 miRNAs and 7 DEGs. 22 DECs were recognized as hub circRNAs during the estrus phase of Xiang pigs.

CONCLUSIONS

The circRNAs that function as miRNA sponges could play a key role in post-transcriptional regulation of gene expression during Xiang pig's estrus cycle.

Follicular development in livestock: Influencing factors and underlying mechanisms

Livestock farming development has become increasingly important in recent years. It not only provides us with meat nutrition and pet feeding but also increases the economic value by providing numerous employment opportunities, which improves our life quality. The livestock farming development depends on successful animal reproduction. As a vital process in animal reproduction, folliculogenesis and its influencing factors as well as their underlying mechanisms need to be understood thoroughly. This review is aimed at summarizing the factors such as cellular processes, gene regulation, noncoding RNAs and other endocrine or paracrine regulatory factors that affect follicular development, and their underlying mechanisms of action in livestock in order to provide novel insights for future studies. The above factors were found as significant determinants influencing the follicular development in livestock through various signaling pathways.

Autophagy in farm animals: current knowledge and future challenges

Autophagy (a process of cellular self-eating) is a conserved cellular degradative process that plays important roles in maintaining homeostasis and preventing nutritional, metabolic, and infection-mediated stresses. Surprisingly, little attention has been paid to the role of this cellular function in species of agronomical interest, and the details of how autophagy functions in the development of phenotypes of agricultural interest remain largely unexplored. Here, we first provide a brief description of the main mechanisms involved in autophagy, then review our current knowledge regarding autophagy in species of agronomical interest, with particular attention to physiological functions supporting livestock animal production, and finally assess the potential of translating the acquired knowledge to improve animal development, growth and health in the context of growing social, economic and environmental challenges for agriculture.Abbreviations: AKT: AKT serine/threonine kinase; AMPK: AMP-activated protein kinase; ASC: adipose-derived stem cells; ATG: autophagy-related; BECN1: beclin 1; BNIP3: BCL2 interacting protein 3; BVDV: bovine viral diarrhea virus; CALCOCO2/NDP52: calcium binding and coiled-coil domain 2; CMA: chaperone-mediated autophagy; CTSB: cathepsin B; CTSD: cathepsin D; DAP: Death-Associated Protein; ER: endoplasmic reticulum; GFP: green fluorescent protein; Gln: Glutamine; HSPA8/HSC70: heat shock protein family A (Hsp70) member 8; IF: immunofluorescence; IVP: in vitro produced; LAMP2A: lysosomal associated membrane protein 2A; LMS: lysosomal membrane stability; MAP1LC3/LC3: microtubule associated protein 1 light chain 3; MDBK: Madin-Darby bovine kidney; MSC: mesenchymal stem cells; MTOR: mechanistic target of rapamycin kinase; MTORC1: MTOR complex 1; NBR1: NBR1 autophagy cargo receptor; NDV: Newcastle disease virus; NECTIN4: nectin cell adhesion molecule 4; NOD1: nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain 1; OCD: osteochondritis dissecans; OEC: oviduct epithelial cells; OPTN: optineurin; PI3K: phosphoinositide-3-kinase; PPRV: peste des petits ruminants virus; RHDV: rabbit hemorrhagic disease virus; SQSTM1/p62: sequestosome 1; TEM: transmission electron microscopy.

Morphological changes in mouse ovary due to hormonal hypersecretion and matrix metalloproteinase -2 activity

We analyzed whether aberrant gonadotropin secretion affects the morphological remodeling of murine ovarian tissues facilitated by activated matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) enzymes. Six mice were intraperitoneally injected with 5 IU of pregnant mare serum gonadotropin (PMSG) or human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) every two days after estrus synchronization. Morphology and expression of various MMPs were assessed following the successful induction of hormonal secretion in these tissues. HCG treatment, but not PMSG treatment, resulted in the expanded production of granulose second follicular cells. In addition, the number of developing follicular cells in the HCG group increased compared with that in the PMSG group. Ovarian diameters were also very small in the PMSG group. Immunohistochemistry revealed decreased MMP-2 protein activity in the HCG group and increased MMP-2 activity in the PMSG group. Activity was particularly high in theca and granulose cells of the PMSG group, but only partial activity was observed in the theca cells of the HCG group. Vascular endothelial growth factor activity was increased in both the external and internal theca cell walls in the PMSG group while the HCG group showed high overall expression of this protein in the internal theca cells. These data indicate that follicular cell activity and remodeling of the ovaries differ based on the type of secretory hormone signals they receive. Inappropriate gonadotropin secretion may induce functional changes in the ovaries, and follicular remodeling may be facilitated by the activity of various MMPs.

Immunohistochemical determination of mTOR pathway molecules in ovaries and uterus in rat estrous cycle stages

mTOR is a member of the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway that participates in cell growth, proliferation, protein synthesis, transcription, angiogenesis, apoptosis and autophagy. mTOR and MAPK pahways are two important key signal pathways which are related to each other. We investigated the role of mTOR and other signaling molecules in rat ovaries and uteruses in stages of the estrous cycle. Young adult female rats were divided into four groups as proestrous, estrous, metestrous and diestrous according to vaginal smears. Immunohistochemical staining of mTORC1, IGF1, PI3K, pAKT1/2/3, ERK1 and pERK1/2 was performed and pAKT1/2/3 and ERK1 were also analyzed using western blotting on ovarian and uterine tissue samples. According to our results, PI3K/Akt/mTOR and ERK/pERK showed an increase in the rat ovulation period. When all the groups were evaluated the immunoreactivities for all of the antibodies were detected in the oocytes, granulosa and theca cells, corpus luteum and stroma of ovary and lamina propria, surface and glandular epithelium of uterus with the strongest observed with anti-ERK1 antibody and then with a decreasing trend with anti-mTORC1, anti-pAkt1/2/3, anti-IGF1, anti-PI3K and anti-pERK1/2 antibodies in the proestrus and estrus stages. Differently from other parts of the ovary, highest antibody expression in the corpus luteum was observed in the metestrous stage. Moreover, the existence of pAKT1/2/3 and ERK1 proteins was confirmed with the Western blotting technique. We suggest that mTOR and mTOR-related ERK signaling molecules may participate in the rat ovulation process.

Joint MiRNA/mRNA expression profiling reveals changes consistent with development of dysfunctional corpus luteum after weight gain

Obese women exhibit decreased fertility, high miscarriage rates and dysfunctional corpus luteum (CL), but molecular mechanisms are poorly defined. We hypothesized that weight gain induces alterations in CL gene expression. RNA sequencing was used to identify changes in the CL transcriptome in the vervet monkey (Chlorocebus aethiops) during weight gain. 10 months of high-fat, high-fructose diet (HFHF) resulted in a 20% weight gain for HFHF animals vs. 2% for controls (p = 0.03) and a 66% increase in percent fat mass for HFHF group. Ovulation was confirmed at baseline and after intervention in all animals. CL were collected on luteal day 7-9 based on follicular phase estradiol peak. 432 mRNAs and 9 miRNAs were differentially expressed in response to HFHF diet. Specifically, miR-28, miR-26, and let-7b previously shown to inhibit sex steroid production in human granulosa cells, were up-regulated. Using integrated miRNA and gene expression analysis, we demonstrated changes in 52 coordinately regulated mRNA targets corresponding to opposite changes in miRNA. Specifically, 2 targets of miR-28 and 10 targets of miR-26 were down-regulated, including genes linked to follicular development, steroidogenesis, granulosa cell proliferation and survival. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of dietary-induced responses of the ovulating ovary to developing adiposity. The observed HFHF diet-induced changes were consistent with development of a dysfunctional CL and provide new mechanistic insights for decreased sex steroid production characteristic of obese women. MiRNAs may represent novel biomarkers of obesity-related subfertility and potential new avenues for therapeutic intervention.

Matrix metalloproteinases are important for follicular development in normal and miniature pigs

To determine the differences in the follicular development process of normal and miniature pigs, we compared the expression of matrix metalloproteinases (MMP) in these two breeds throughout folliculogenesis. In normal pigs, MMP-9 was highly expressed in all stages of the follicular development as well as during ovulation. The follicular development exhibited strong gelatinase activity. The expression of MMP-2 remained insignificant throughout folliculogenesis in both breeds. However, for the follicles of miniature pigs, MMP-2 level was higher than that in normal pigs. Thus MMP types may regulate the remodelling of follicular tissue in the ovaries of normal and miniature pigs. The differential expression of MMPs observed in this study reflected the mechanisms underlying ovarian follicular development in these two breeds.