Comparison of differential expression profiles of candidate genes related to fertility ‎traits using transcriptome perspective based on RNA-Seq in Holstein dairy cows

Genetic selection for increasing milk production and economic profitability in the dairy industry has been associated with reduction in reproductive performance, including lower embryo survival and pregnancy loss. The main purpose of this study was to use the transcriptome profiles of endometrial tissue and Corpus luteum of two groups of high and low fertility Holstein dairy cows to identify genes that are effective in reproductive rate, especially in early pregnancy. By the analysis of RNA-Seq data to express the gene differences, 4538 genes were extracted, which a total of 1466 genes showed significant expression differences (P<0.000001, Fold change<0.5). Then, by comparing the relevant genes among transcriptome profiles, common genes between endometrial tissue (on days 7 and 13 of the estrous cycle) and Corpus luteum (on day 13 of the estrous cycle) including SYNM, PARM1, NXPE2, NT5DC3, COL4A3, COL12A1, ALPK3, ADAMDEC1, SERPINA14, S100A9, PI16, OAS1X, MSTN, MASP1, CD83, CA2, C2, C5, JSP.1 and SAA3 were identified. Annotation results of these genes indicated that they have a role in the main process of metabolic and signaling pathways related to the ion transport system, inflammation, immune system function, and cell-matrix structure. Overall, the present study can provide new insights into the molecular evidence for the biological mechanisms of transcriptome profiling in the uterine environment and biomarkers related to fertility in dairy cows.