Comparative profiling of differentially expressed microRNAs in estrous ovaries of Kazakh sheep in different seasons

Seasonal estrus is a critical limiting factor for animal fecundity. However, estrus occurs in some seasonally estrous sheep in the non-breeding season, and this phenomenon involves changes in ovarian biology. Previous studies indicated that small RNAs, such as microRNAs (miRNAs), play important regulatory roles in ovarian biology. Differentially expressed miRNAs in the ovaries of estrous sheep were identified using Solexa sequencing technology. A total of 423 known miRNAs were identified in ovaries of estrous sheep in the breeding season and non-breeding season. In the comparison of these two groups, 48 miRNAs were identified that were differentially expressed between the two groups (including 5 up-regulated and 43 down-regulated miRNAs). KEGG pathway analysis revealed that the target genes of some differentially expressed miRNAs were involved in pathways related to reproductive hormone signaling and follicular development. Furthermore, the levels of estradiol (E2), progesterone (P4), luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) were lower in anestrus sheep than in sheep during the breeding season. Upon combining the pathway enrichment analysis, target gene expression and hormone measurement results, we suggest that these differentially expressed miRNAs might influence ovarian activity in the non-breeding season by regulating the above pathways. The identification of miRNAs that are differentially expressed between ovines in the breeding season and non-breeding season will contribute to our understanding of the role of miRNAs in estrus regulation, and these data may provide a basis for regulating estrus in sheep during the non-breeding season.