Gene expression analysis of bovine granulosa cells from growing follicles

Objetive. This work compares granulosa cell gene expression using RNA analysis from pre-ovulatory follicles from two different bovine species (buffaloes and cattle). Materials and methods. The RNA was obtained from granulosa cells from ovaries of 10 buffaloes and cattle obtained at the local slaughterhouse, was sequenced with Novaseq, and the differential expression was analyzed using EdgeR in Bioconductor, and the function was assigned according to gene ontology terms. Results. Differential gene expression analyzes shown significant differences between species, but the most important feature is the low participation of genes associated with the reproductive process of follicular development, highlighting the importance of paracrine control of the ovary. It was found that between buffaloes and cattle, there is practically no correspondence in the gene expression of the physiological states evaluated; 6137 genes show differential expression between the two species. Conclusions. Each species has its way of performing the same process. The differences in the expression of the genes associated with oxidative phosphorylation are evident, and new ways to look at the presented results are required to understand the biological significance of the findings.