MiRNA expression profile in relation to oocyte developmental competence. MiRNA expression profile in relation to oocyte developmental competence

The objective of this study was to identify the expression profile of miRNAs in porcine oocytes derived from follicles of different sizes using RNA high throughput sequencing technology. Oocytes were aspirated from large (3-6 mm) or small (2 fold change) with 4 up- and 4 down-regulated miRNAs in large compared to small oocyte group. Target gene prediction followed by KEGG pathway analysis revealed 46 pathways that were enriched with miRNA-target genes. Oocyte meiosis pathway and signaling pathways including FoxO, PI3K-Akt, TGFβ, and cAMP were predictably targeted by DE miRNAs. These results give more insights into the potential role of miRNAs in controlling oocyte developmental competence. Overall design: Six small RNA libraries were constructed from two oocytes groups (From large and small follicles, 3 biological replicates each) and then sequenced on an Illumina NextSeq500