Project description:A prFunctional embryo-maternal interactions occur during the embryo implantation and placentation. Extracellular vesicles with microRNA (miRNA) between cells have been considered of crtital importance for embro implantation and programming of human pregnancy We used microarrays to investigate miRNAs expression during early pregnancy
Project description:Low fertility remains a leading cause of poor productivity in dairy cattle. In this context, there is significant interest in developing novel tools for accurate early diagnosis of pregnancy. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are short RNA molecules which are critically involved in regulating gene expression during both health and disease. MiRNAs have been shown to regulate ovarian function, uterine receptivity, embryonic development and placental function. Circulating miRNAs can provide useful biomarkers of tissue function and disease; importantly, differential miRNA profiles have been linked to pregnancy and preeclampsia in humans. This study sought to establish the potential of circulating miRNAs as biomarkers of early pregnancy in cattle. We applied Illumina small-RNA sequencing to profile miRNAs in plasma samples collected from eight non-pregnant heifers on Days 0, 8 and 16 of the oestrous cycle and 11 heifers on Days 16 and 24 of pregnancy. We sequenced a total of 46 samples and generated 9.2 million miRNA reads per sample. There were no differences in miRNA read abundance between any of the pregnant and non-pregnant time-points (FDR > 0.1). As a complementary approach, we analysed sample pools (3-4 samples/pool) corresponding to Days 0, 8 and 16 of the oestrous cycle and Day 24 of pregnancy (n = 3 pools/group) using Qiagen PCR arrays. A total of 16 miRNAs were differentially expressed (FDR < 0.1) in plasma between pregnant and non-pregnant animals. RT-qPCR validation using the same plasma samples confirmed that miR-26a was differentially upregulated on Day 16 pregnant relative to non-pregnant heifers (1.7-fold; P = 0.043), whereas miR-1249 tended to be upregulated in Day 16 pregnant heifers (1.6-fold; P = 0.081). Further validation in an independent group of heifers confirmed an increase in plasma miR-26a levels during early pregnancy, which was significant only on Day 24 (2.0-fold; P = 0.027). Through genome-wide analyses we have successfully profiled plasma miRNA populations associated with early pregnancy in cattle. We have identified miR-26a as a potential circulating biomarker of early pregnancy.
Project description:Low fertility remains a leading cause of poor productivity in dairy cattle. In this context, there is significant interest in developing novel tools for accurate early diagnosis of pregnancy. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are short RNA molecules which are critically involved in regulating gene expression during both health and disease. MiRNAs have been shown to regulate ovarian function, uterine receptivity, embryonic development and placental function. Circulating miRNAs can provide useful biomarkers of tissue function and disease; importantly, differential miRNA profiles have been linked to pregnancy and preeclampsia in humans. This study sought to establish the potential of circulating miRNAs as biomarkers of early pregnancy in cattle. We applied Illumina small-RNA sequencing to profile miRNAs in plasma samples collected from eight non-pregnant heifers on Days 0, 8 and 16 of the oestrous cycle and 11 heifers on Days 16 and 24 of pregnancy. We sequenced a total of 46 samples and generated 9.2 million miRNA reads per sample. There were no differences in miRNA read abundance between any of the pregnant and non-pregnant time-points (FDRâ>â0.1). As a complementary approach, we analysed sample pools (3-4 samples/pool) corresponding to Days 0, 8 and 16 of the oestrous cycle and Day 24 of pregnancy (nâ=â3 pools/group) using Qiagen PCR arrays. A total of 16 miRNAs were differentially expressed (FDRâ<â0.1) in plasma between pregnant and non-pregnant animals. RT-qPCR validation using the same plasma samples confirmed that miR-26a was differentially upregulated on Day 16 pregnant relative to non-pregnant heifers (1.7-fold; Pâ=â0.043), whereas miR-1249 tended to be upregulated in Day 16 pregnant heifers (1.6-fold; Pâ=â0.081). Further validation in an independent group of heifers confirmed an increase in plasma miR-26a levels during early pregnancy, which was significant only on Day 24 (2.0-fold; Pâ=â0.027). Through genome-wide analyses we have successfully profiled plasma miRNA populations associated with early pregnancy in cattle. We have identified miR-26a as a potential circulating biomarker of early pregnancy. Sequencing of three sequencial samples from each of eight cycling animals (Days 0, 8 and 16, total 24 samples) and two samples from each of 11 pregnant animals (Days 16 and 24, total 22 samples). Main comparisons were between non-pregnant and pregnant groups
Project description:Poor reproductive performance remains a major issue in the dairy industry, with extremely low calving rates (34 %) affecting milk production, profitability and the economy in general. Early pregnancy detection can help identify non-pregnant animals within three weeks of insemination, minimizing delays and shortening calving intervals. However current pregnancy detection methods are not accurate enough to support such reproductive management programs. MiRNAs have been proposed as non-invasive biomarkers of pregnancy and several reproductive diseases in humans. We previously identified miR-26a as a potential early pregnancy biomarker in cattle. In the current study, using miRNA sequencing, we identified and validated differentially expressed miRNAs on Day 60 of pregnancy compared to Day 0 (non-pregnant), and we investigated the expression of these validated miRNAs in early pregnancy aiming to identify additional early pregnancy biomarker candidates. The expression levels of selected miRNAs which are differentially expressed during pregnancy will also be investigated as part of this study.
Project description:A label-free proteome analysis comparing changes in protein profiles of decidualized endometria and trophoblasts among women with different pregnancy outcomes, specifically a viable intrauterine pregnancy (IUP), ectopic pregnancy (EP), or early pregnancy loss (EPL), that identify potential biomarkers and provide insights into cellular pathways affected by fetus viability and location.
Project description:The project aimed to determine proteomics changes in decidua from patients suffering from unexplained early recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) compared to women undergoing elective abortions. Comparative proteomics analysis by label-free data-independent LC-MS/MS was performed on fresh frozen decidua tissues from 19 RPL patients and 10 controls. Samples from EPL patients were preselected to include only patients with 2 or more recurrent pregnancy losses (RPL), no previous live birth, gestational week from 6-10 weeks and excluded fetal chromosomal abnormalities. Control samples were from women without history of previous miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy or preterm delivery, with at least one live born child, at 6-10 gestational weeks and without fetal chromosomal abnormalities. Patients and controls had no significant differences regarding age (Median age RPL = 30; Median age Controls = 34; Mann–Whitney U-test p = 0.082). The mean gestational weak (GW) was 7.9±1.0 weeks in the RPL group and 8.3±1.2 weeks in the control group, without statistically significant difference between groups (Median GW RPL = 8; Median GW Controls = 8; Mann–Whitney U-test p = 0.361).
Project description:This study examined the expression of pig-specific microRNAs (miRNAs) at gestation day 20 (gd20) of pregnancy in Yorkshire sows. Tissue differences in miRNA expression, and miRNA differences between healthy and arresting embryo attachment sites (i.e., healthy endometrium vs. arresting endometrium; healthy trophoblast vs. arresting trophoblast), were of prime interest. For more information, please refer to the primary research paper.
Project description:Embryo-maternal signaling during the establishment of pregnancy in horses remains one of the biggest mysteries in large animal physiology. Early pregnancy loss represents a major source of economic loss to the breeding industry. This study aimed to investigate the systemic changes associated with early pregnancy by mapping the proteome of blood plasma in commercially bred pregnant (n = 17) and non-pregnant (n = 17) Thoroughbred mares at 14 days after ovulation, using high resolution mass spectrometry. We identified 229 total protein IDs, with 12 increased and 10 decreased significantly in pregnant vs non-pregnant plasma. To gain functional insight, these data were aligned with proteomes of 14-day pregnant mare uterine fluid (n = 4; 1,358 IDs) and conceptus fluid (soluble proteins within the yolk sac fluid; n = 4; 1,152 IDs), and further interrogated using gene ontology databases and pathway analysis. These analyses identified consistent systemic changes in the mare’s proteome that indicate a profound and specific immune response to early pregnancy, which appears to precede the systemic endocrine response to pregnancy. Integrated pathway analysis suggests that embryo-maternal interactions in early pregnancy may mimic elements of the virus-host interaction to modulate the maternal immune response. Transthyretin (TTR) and uteroglobin (SCGB1A1) were respectively down- and up-regulated in plasma while also present in uterine fluid, and are proposed to be key proteins in early pregnancy establishment. These findings contribute significantly to our knowledge of early pregnancy in the mare and identify new avenues for developing clinical approaches to reduce early embryo loss.