Identification and expression profile analysis of circRNAs associated with goat uterus with different fecundity during estrous cycle

Abstract Background The Yunshang Black Goat, a distinguished meat goat breed native to China, is renowned for its superior reproductive capabilities. Despite this, there is considerable phenotypic variability within the breed. During the reproductive cycle, the uterus plays a pivotal role, with its...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Xiaolong Du, Yufang Liu, Xiaoyun He, Lin Tao, Meiying Fang, Mingxing Chu
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2025-04-01
Series:BMC Genomics
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s12864-025-11489-x
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
_version_ 1850202084845027328
author Xiaolong Du
Yufang Liu
Xiaoyun He
Lin Tao
Meiying Fang
Mingxing Chu
author_facet Xiaolong Du
Yufang Liu
Xiaoyun He
Lin Tao
Meiying Fang
Mingxing Chu
author_sort Xiaolong Du
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background The Yunshang Black Goat, a distinguished meat goat breed native to China, is renowned for its superior reproductive capabilities. Despite this, there is considerable phenotypic variability within the breed. During the reproductive cycle, the uterus plays a pivotal role, with its functions evolving in line with the different stages of the cycle. This study focuses on the uterine tissues, including both the endometrium and myometrium, of Yunshang Black Goats with high fecundity (HF) and low fecundity (LF) during the proliferative (FP) and secretory (LP) phases of the estrous cycle. By examining these tissues, we aim to elucidate the underlying molecular and physiological mechanisms of the observed differences in reproductive success. Results High-throughput sequencing was conducted, followed by bioinformatics analysis to identify the expression profiles of circRNAs. A total of 7,445 circRNAs were identified through the integration of findings from find_circ and CIRI2 software. Comparative analyses between the FPLF vs. FPHF and LPLF vs. LPHF revealed 149 differentially expressed (DE) circRNAs (94 up-regulated and 55 down-regulated) and 276 DE circRNAs (56 up-regulated and 220 down-regulated), respectively. The enrichment analysis indicated that the primary pathways involved were the Sphingolipid signaling pathway, MAPK signaling pathway, and GnRH signaling pathway, all of which are closely associated with cellular growth and development. Additionally, several key candidate genes were identified, such as FGF2 and MBTPS1. We also predicted a total of 281 miRNA-circRNA binding pairs, encompassing 263 circRNAs and 60 miRNAs, and simultaneously, 14 coding circRNAs were anticipated. Conclusion Based on the analysis, we have established the expression profiles of circRNAs during the follicular and luteal phases, respectively. Furthermore, using various analytical methods and data from high- and low-yield experimental control groups over different periods, we have identified multiple circRNAs that affect the high reproductive capacity of goats. Through enrichment analysis of the host genes of these circRNAs, we have discovered several key candidate genes. These findings provide fundamental data for the study of the molecular mechanisms underlying the fecundity of goats and pave the way for future genetic improvement strategies.
format Article
id doaj-art-ded0914ccedf46eca7c18cacdb73e37f
institution OA Journals
issn 1471-2164
language English
publishDate 2025-04-01
publisher BMC
record_format Article
series BMC Genomics
spelling doaj-art-ded0914ccedf46eca7c18cacdb73e37f2025-08-20T02:11:51ZengBMCBMC Genomics1471-21642025-04-0126111710.1186/s12864-025-11489-xIdentification and expression profile analysis of circRNAs associated with goat uterus with different fecundity during estrous cycleXiaolong Du0Yufang Liu1Xiaoyun He2Lin Tao3Meiying Fang4Mingxing Chu5State Key Laboratory of Animal Biotech Breeding, Institute of Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS)State Key Laboratory of Animal Biotech Breeding, Institute of Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS)State Key Laboratory of Animal Biotech Breeding, Institute of Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS)State Key Laboratory of Animal Biotech Breeding, Institute of Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS)Department of Animal Genetics and Breeding, Laboratory of Animal Genetics and Breeding, College of Animal Science and Technology, National Engineering Laboratory for Animal Breeding, MARA, China Agricultural UniversityState Key Laboratory of Animal Biotech Breeding, Institute of Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS)Abstract Background The Yunshang Black Goat, a distinguished meat goat breed native to China, is renowned for its superior reproductive capabilities. Despite this, there is considerable phenotypic variability within the breed. During the reproductive cycle, the uterus plays a pivotal role, with its functions evolving in line with the different stages of the cycle. This study focuses on the uterine tissues, including both the endometrium and myometrium, of Yunshang Black Goats with high fecundity (HF) and low fecundity (LF) during the proliferative (FP) and secretory (LP) phases of the estrous cycle. By examining these tissues, we aim to elucidate the underlying molecular and physiological mechanisms of the observed differences in reproductive success. Results High-throughput sequencing was conducted, followed by bioinformatics analysis to identify the expression profiles of circRNAs. A total of 7,445 circRNAs were identified through the integration of findings from find_circ and CIRI2 software. Comparative analyses between the FPLF vs. FPHF and LPLF vs. LPHF revealed 149 differentially expressed (DE) circRNAs (94 up-regulated and 55 down-regulated) and 276 DE circRNAs (56 up-regulated and 220 down-regulated), respectively. The enrichment analysis indicated that the primary pathways involved were the Sphingolipid signaling pathway, MAPK signaling pathway, and GnRH signaling pathway, all of which are closely associated with cellular growth and development. Additionally, several key candidate genes were identified, such as FGF2 and MBTPS1. We also predicted a total of 281 miRNA-circRNA binding pairs, encompassing 263 circRNAs and 60 miRNAs, and simultaneously, 14 coding circRNAs were anticipated. Conclusion Based on the analysis, we have established the expression profiles of circRNAs during the follicular and luteal phases, respectively. Furthermore, using various analytical methods and data from high- and low-yield experimental control groups over different periods, we have identified multiple circRNAs that affect the high reproductive capacity of goats. Through enrichment analysis of the host genes of these circRNAs, we have discovered several key candidate genes. These findings provide fundamental data for the study of the molecular mechanisms underlying the fecundity of goats and pave the way for future genetic improvement strategies.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12864-025-11489-xGoatsUterusReproductionDifferentially expressed circRNAsCandidate genes
spellingShingle Xiaolong Du
Yufang Liu
Xiaoyun He
Lin Tao
Meiying Fang
Mingxing Chu
Identification and expression profile analysis of circRNAs associated with goat uterus with different fecundity during estrous cycle
BMC Genomics
Goats
Uterus
Reproduction
Differentially expressed circRNAs
Candidate genes
title Identification and expression profile analysis of circRNAs associated with goat uterus with different fecundity during estrous cycle
title_full Identification and expression profile analysis of circRNAs associated with goat uterus with different fecundity during estrous cycle
title_fullStr Identification and expression profile analysis of circRNAs associated with goat uterus with different fecundity during estrous cycle
title_full_unstemmed Identification and expression profile analysis of circRNAs associated with goat uterus with different fecundity during estrous cycle
title_short Identification and expression profile analysis of circRNAs associated with goat uterus with different fecundity during estrous cycle
title_sort identification and expression profile analysis of circrnas associated with goat uterus with different fecundity during estrous cycle
topic Goats
Uterus
Reproduction
Differentially expressed circRNAs
Candidate genes
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s12864-025-11489-x
work_keys_str_mv AT xiaolongdu identificationandexpressionprofileanalysisofcircrnasassociatedwithgoatuteruswithdifferentfecundityduringestrouscycle
AT yufangliu identificationandexpressionprofileanalysisofcircrnasassociatedwithgoatuteruswithdifferentfecundityduringestrouscycle
AT xiaoyunhe identificationandexpressionprofileanalysisofcircrnasassociatedwithgoatuteruswithdifferentfecundityduringestrouscycle
AT lintao identificationandexpressionprofileanalysisofcircrnasassociatedwithgoatuteruswithdifferentfecundityduringestrouscycle
AT meiyingfang identificationandexpressionprofileanalysisofcircrnasassociatedwithgoatuteruswithdifferentfecundityduringestrouscycle
AT mingxingchu identificationandexpressionprofileanalysisofcircrnasassociatedwithgoatuteruswithdifferentfecundityduringestrouscycle