Transcriptomic regulatory analysis of skeletal muscle development in landrace pigs.

The development of pig skeletal muscle is a complex dynamic regulation process, which mainly includes the formation of primary and secondary muscle fibers, the remodeling of muscle fibers, and the maturation of skeletal muscle; However, the regulatory mechanism of the entire developmental process remains unclear. This study analyzed the whole-transcriptome data of skeletal muscles at 27 developmental nodes (E33-D180) in Landrace pigs, and their key regulatory factors in the development process were identified using the bioinformatics method. Firstly, we constructed a transcriptome expression map of skeletal muscle development from embryo to adulthood in Landrace pig. Subsequently, due to drastic change in gene expression, the perinatal periods including E105, D0 and D9, were focused, and the genes related to the process of muscle fiber remodeling and volume expansion were revealed. Then, though conjoint analysis with miRNA and lncRNA transcripts, a ceRNA network were identified, which consist of 11 key regulatory genes (such as CHAC1, RTN4IP1 and SESN1), 7 miRNAs and 43 lncRNAs, and they potentially play an important role in the process of muscle fiber differentiation, muscle fiber remodeling and volume expansion, intramuscular fat deposition, and other skeletal muscle developmental events. In summary, we reveal candidate genes and underlying molecular regulatory networks associated with perinatal skeletal muscle fiber type remodeling and expansion. These data provide new insights into the molecular regulation of mammalian skeletal muscle development and diversity.

Sleep deprivation causes gut dysbiosis impacting on systemic metabolomics leading to premature ovarian insufficiency in adolescent mice.

Rationale: Currently, there are occasional reports of health problems caused by sleep deprivation (SD). However, to date, there remains a lack of in-depth research regarding the effects of SD on the growth and development of oocytes in females. The present work aimed to investigate whether SD influences ovarian folliculogenesis in adolescent female mice. Methods: Using a dedicated device, SD conditions were established in 3-week old female mice (a critical stage of follicular development) for 6 weeks and gut microbiota and systemic metabolomics were analyzed. Analyses were related to parameters of folliculogenesis and reproductive performance of SD females. Results: We found that the gut microbiota and systemic metabolomics were severely altered in SD females and that these were associated with parameters of premature ovarian insufficiency (POI). These included increased granulosa cell apoptosis, reduced numbers of primordial follicles (PmFs), correlation with decreased AMH, E2, and increased LH in blood serum, and a parallel increased number of growing follicles and changes in protein expression compatible with PmF activation. SD also reduced oocyte maturation and reproductive performance. Notably, fecal microbial transplantation from SD females into normal females induced POI parameters in the latter while niacinamide (NAM) supplementation alleviated such symptoms in SD females. Conclusion: Gut microbiota and alterations in systemic metabolomics caused by SD induced POI features in juvenile females that could be counteracted with NAM supplementation.

Changes in seminal plasma microecological dynamics and the mechanistic impact of core metabolite hexadecanamide in asthenozoospermia patients.

Asthenozoospermia (AZS) is a prevalent contributor to male infertility, characterized by a substantial decline in sperm motility. In recent years, large-scale studies have explored the interplay between the male reproductive system's microecology and its implications for reproductive health. Nevertheless, the direct association between seminal microecology and male infertility pathogenesis remains inconclusive. This study used 16S rDNA sequencing and multi-omics analysis to conduct a comprehensive investigation of the seminal microbial community and metabolites in AZS patients. Patients were categorized into four distinct groups: Normal, mild AZS (AZS-I), moderate AZS (AZS-II), and severe AZS (AZS-III). Microbiome differential abundance analysis revealed significant differences in microbial composition and metabolite profiles within the seminal plasma of these groups. Subsequently, patients were classified into a control group (Normal and AZS-I) and an AZS group (AZS-II and AZS-III). Correlation and cross-reference analyses identified distinct microbial genera and metabolites. Notably, the AZS group exhibited a reduced abundance of bacterial genera such as Pseudomonas, Serratia, and Methylobacterium-Methylorubrum in seminal plasma, positively correlating with core differential metabolite (hexadecanamide). Conversely, the AZS group displayed an increased abundance of bacterial genera such as Uruburuella, Vibrio, and Pseudoalteromonas, with a negative correlation with core differential metabolite (hexadecanamide). In vitro and in vivo experiments validated that hexadecanamide significantly enhanced sperm motility. Using predictive metabolite-targeting gene analysis and single-cell transcriptome sequencing, we profiled the gene expression of candidate target genes PAOX and CA2. Protein immunoblotting techniques validated the upregulation protein levels of PAOX and CA2 in sperm samples after hexadecanamide treatment, enhancing sperm motility. In conclusion, this study uncovered a significant correlation between six microbial genera in seminal plasma and the content of the metabolite hexadecanamide, which is related to AZS. Hexadecanamide notably enhances sperm motility, suggesting its potential integration into clinical strategies for managing AZS, providing a foundational framework for diagnostic and therapeutic advancements.