A Comparative Transcriptome and Proteomics Study of Postpartum Ovarian Cycle Arrest in Yaks

Abstract

Background: Postpartum ovarian cycle arrest is the main factor affecting yak reproductive efficiency. There are few reports regarding the molecular regulatory mechanism of postnatal estrus on transcriptome and proteome in yaks. Our previous studies focused on the ovaries of yaks with postnatal ovarian cycle arrest and postnatal estrus yaks. In this study, RNA sequencing transcriptomic was combined with quantitative proteomic analyses to identify postpartum ovarian cycle-related genes and proteins.Results: Consequently 1,149 genes and 24 proteins were found to be up- or downregulated during postnatal estrus. The analysis of differentially regulated genes identified three gene or protein pairs that were synchronously upregulated and no gene or protein pairs that were synchronously downregulated, suggesting that these upregulated genes may regulate the postpartum ovarian cycle. The functional classification of these differentially expressed genes and proteins indicated their connection with oocyte meiosis, the estrogen signaling pathway, progesterone-mediated oocyte maturation and the gonadotrophin releasing hormone (GnRH) signaling pathway. Conclusions: In this study, a total of six genes and two proteins involved in the oocyte meiosis, the estrogen signaling pathway, progesterone-mediated oocyte maturation and the GnRH signaling pathway were identified. This is the first report of a comprehensive transcriptomic and proteomic analysis of postnatal estrus on Yaks.