Temporal changes in miRNA 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. Nanostring technology was used to profile miRNA. A total of 27 miRNA changed. MiRNA that increased were predicted to inhibit phosphatidylinositol signaling, while those that decreased may be negative regulators of steroidogenesis. 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 and miRNA were profiled using nanostring technology.