An Exploratory Data Analysis from Ovine and Bovine RNA-Seq Identifies Pathways and Key Genes Related to Cervical Dilatation

SIMPLE SUMMARY: Our results demonstrate differences and similarities in the mechanisms of cervical dilation in sheep and cows in the follicular and luteal phase. In cattle, 1961 genes were differentially expressed in the follicular phase and 1560 in the luteal phase. In sheep, 2126 genes were differentially expressed in the follicular phase and 2469 genes were more differentially expressed in the luteal phase. PI3K/Akt is a pathway that has been found in both species and seems to be an important pathway in the process of cervical relaxation. These results help us to better understand the mechanisms, especially in ewes where there is a difficulty in promoting cervical relaxation in the luteal phase to collect embryos. ABSTRACT: The present study developed a review and exploration of data in public and already validated repositories. The main objective was to identify the pathways involved in ruminants’ cervical dilatation, which are conserved between cattle and sheep in the follicular and luteal phases of the reproductive cycle. In cattle, 1961 genes were more differentially expressed in the follicular phase and 1560 in the luteal phase. An amount of 24 genes were considered exclusively expressed from these. A total of 18 genes were in the follicular phase and 6 genes were in the luteal phase. In sheep, 2126 genes were more differentially expressed in the follicular phase and 2469 genes were more differentially expressed in the luteal phase. Hoxb genes were identified in both species and are correlated with the PI3K/Akt pathway. PI3K/Akt was also found in both cattle and sheep, appearing prominently in the follicular and luteal phases of both species. Our analyses have pointed out that the PI3K/Akt pathway and the Hoxb genes appear in prominence in modulating mechanisms that involve estrus alterations in the cervix. PI3K/Akt appears to be an important pathway in the cervical relaxation process.