Transcriptomic profile of the porcine oviductal epithelial cells during the peri-conceptional period.

The optimal environment in the oviduct is created by adjusting its ultrastructure and secretory activity to serve the most suitable protection of gametes and to support embryo development. Through gametes/embryo's presence inside the oviduct, the oviductal transcriptomic profile may be altered, and these changes may be caused by DNA methylation. The results of the present study documented that in the epithelial cells of the ampulla and isthmus of the oviducts collected from pigs during the peri-conceptional period, the most differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were down-regulated. Identified DEGs were classified into gene ontology categories as well as annotated into different biological pathways. From evaluated DEGs, genes important for embryo development were selected and the level of DNA methylation was determined. It was documented CLDN18, MUC1, CYP19A3, SOCS1, and ESR1 methylation level have been altered. The presence of embryos in the oviduct changed the transcriptomic profile and the level of DNA methylation in the epithelial cells of ampulla and isthmus during the peri-conceptional period.

Exposure to the electromagnetic field alters the transcriptomic profile in the porcine endometrium during the peri-implantation period.

A low-frequency electromagnetic field (EMF) is an environmental pollutant that may influence female reproduction. This research was undertaken to test the hypothesis that EMF causes alterations in the transcriptomic profile of the endometrium. This study investigated the in vitro effects of EMF treatment (50 Hz, 2 h) on global transcriptome alterations in the endometrium isolated from pigs during the peri-implantation period. The control endometrium was not treated with EMF. The EMF treatment altered the expression of 1561 transcriptionally active regions (TARs) in the endometrium. In the group of 461 evaluated DEGs, 156 were up-regulated (34%), 305 were down-regulated (66%) and 341 (74%) had known biological functions. A total of 210 long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) with changes in expression profiles, and 146 predicted RNA editing sites were also evaluated. Exposure to EMF changes the expression of genes encoding proteins that are involved in proliferation and metabolism in endometrial tissue. These results provide useful inputs for further research into the impact of EMF on molecular changes in the uterus during the peri-implantation period and, consequently, pregnancy outcome.