Analysis of circular RNA (circRNA) characteristics and identification of key circRNAs in the hypothalamus during sexual maturation in female goats.

OBJECTIVE

Precocious puberty can shorten reproductive cycles, enhance reproductive capacity, and reduce feeding costs. Consequently, precocious livestock are widely utilized in cross-breeding. This study aims to elucidate the key molecular mechanisms by which circular RNA (circRNA) regulates the sexual maturation of sexually precocious goats.

METHODS

In this study, we analyzed the circRNA expression profiles of hypothalamic tissue from Jining grey goats at four distinct postnatal developmental stages (1 day, 2 months, 4 months, 6 months).

RESULTS

A total of 23,993 circRNAs were identified across these stages, predominantly derived from exonic regions, with 1,052 circRNAs exhibiting differential expression. Additionally, competitive endogenous RNA (ceRNA) analysis suggested that novel_ circ_0002274/chi-miR-197-5p/ estrogen receptor 1 (ESR1) and novel_circ_0002274/chimiR-30c-3p/oxytocin/neurophysin I prepropeptide (OXT) may regulate sexual maturation in goats via the estrogen signaling pathway and the oxytocin signaling pathway.

CONCLUSION

This study contributes to understanding the function of circRNAs in hypothalamic regulation of sexual maturation and provides valuable insights for breeding superior goat breeds.