Temporal changes in mRNA abundance in the corpus luteum during early pregnancy

Although rescue of the corpus luteum is required for pregnancy, luteal function during maternal recognition of pregnancy remains largely unexplored. CL were collected from pregnant cattle on days 14, 17, 20, and 23, to encompass the maternal recognition of pregnancy period. Next Generation Sequencing was used to profile mRNA abundance during this time, while tandem mass spectrometry and Nanostring technology were used to profile proteins and miRNA, respectively. A total of 1157 mRNA were differentially abundant. mRNA that increased were regulators of interferon signaling and DNA repair, while those that decreased were associated with luteolytic processes, such as calcium signaling and matrix metallopeptidase (MMP) signaling, indicating inhibition of these processes. mRNA that were maximally abundant on day 20 were primarily associated with immune processes. Overall, these data indicate that there are changes in the CL of pregnancy that are important for continued luteal function. Corpora lutea were collected from pregnant cattle. Upon observation of estrus, cattle were bred naturally and then bred by artificial insemination 12 hours later, to maximize chances of pregnancy establishment. CL were collected on days 14, 17, 20, and 23 after breeding (n=4/group confirmed pregnant; those not confirmed pregnant were not used). RNA were profiled by next generation sequencing.