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Genes2025; 16(2); doi: 10.3390/genes16020181

Transcriptome Analysis Reveals Equine Endometrium’s Gene Expression Profile Around Embryo Fixation.

Abstract: The success or failure of embryo fixation is crucial for embryo attachment and later development. As an epithelial chorioallantoic placenta-type animal, the horse has a special process of embryo implantation, and the mechanism of embryo fixation in horses is still unclear. Methods: In this study, the structural and transcriptomic characteristics of endometrial tissue from the fixed and nonfixed sides of 20-day gestation embryos in Mongolian horses were investigated to search for important genes and potential molecular markers associated with the fixation phase of equine embryos. Results: A comparison of the structures of the endometrial tissues of the two sides revealed that the endometrium on the fixed side presented distinctive features, which were characterized mainly by the development of glands on the fixed side compared with those on the nonfixed side. A total of 3987 differentially expressed genes were identified in the transcriptome, among which 1931 genes were highly expressed on the fixed side of the embryo, including CDH1, DRA, DQB, CLND2, BOLA-DQB, CLDN10, PTGER2, and PTGFR. The differentially expressed genes were enriched in biological processes such as cell adhesion, morphogenesis, NOD signaling, and vitamin uptake, as well as prostatic hormones. Conclusions: These results suggest that equine embryo fixation may depend at least on the regulation of prostaglandins and the establishment of cellular connections. This provides a foundation for exploring the molecular mechanisms of key genes and pathways related to equine embryo fixation and offers new insights into feeding management and the monitoring of mares in the early stages of pregnancy.
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Publication Date: 2025-02-01 PubMed ID: 40004510PubMed Central: PMC11855126DOI: 10.3390/genes16020181Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

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The study explores the molecular mechanisms involved in the fixation phase of equine embryos using a transcriptomic analysis of the endometrial tissue from horses at 20-day gestation.

Study Overview

The research analyses the transcriptomic characteristics of endometrial tissue from the fixed and nonfixed sides of 20-day gestation embryos in Mongolian horses. The objective was to identify key genes and potential molecular markers associated with the fixation phase of equine embryos.

Methods

  • The researchers investigated the structural differences in endometrial tissues on both sides. They observed that the endometrium on the fixed side exhibited unique features, characterized mainly by the development of glands compared to the nonfixed side.
  • They conducted a transcriptome analysis, a technique that allows the study of the complete set of RNA transcripts produced by the genome, to identify differentially expressed genes in the endometrial tissues.

Results and Findings

  • The transcriptome analysis revealed 3987 differentially expressed genes, with 1931 genes being highly expressed on the fixed side of the embryo.
  • The identified differentially expressed genes were found to be involved in biological processes like cell adhesion, morphogenesis, NOD signaling, vitamin uptake, and prostatic hormones.
  • The analysis suggested that these genes might play key roles in the fixation phase of equine embryos. Particularly, the regulation of prostaglandins and the establishment of cellular connections appear to be significant factors.

Conclusions and Implications

  • The findings provide a foundation for further investigation into the molecular mechanisms of key genes and pathways related to equine embryo fixation.
  • This study provides new insights that could potentially improve feeding management and the monitoring of mares in the early stages of pregnancy.

Cite This Article

APA
Ulaangerel T, Mu S, Sodyelalt J, Yi M, Zhao B, Hao A, Wen X, Han B, Bou G. (2025). Transcriptome Analysis Reveals Equine Endometrium’s Gene Expression Profile Around Embryo Fixation. Genes (Basel), 16(2). https://doi.org/10.3390/genes16020181

Publication

Genes
ISSN: 2073-4425
NlmUniqueID: 101551097
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 16
Issue: 2

Researcher Affiliations

Ulaangerel, Tseweendolmaa
  • Equus Research Center, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot 010018, China.
Mu, Siqin
  • Equus Research Center, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot 010018, China.
Sodyelalt, Jolanqiqige
  • Equus Research Center, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot 010018, China.
Yi, Minna
  • Equus Research Center, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot 010018, China.
Zhao, Bilig
  • Equus Research Center, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot 010018, China.
Hao, Asiya
  • Equus Research Center, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot 010018, China.
Wen, Xin
  • Equus Research Center, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot 010018, China.
Han, Baoxiang
  • College of Veterinary Medicine, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot 010018, China.
Bou, Gerelchimeg
  • Equus Research Center, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot 010018, China.
  • College of Animal Science, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot 010018, China.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Horses / genetics
  • Horses / embryology
  • Female
  • Endometrium / metabolism
  • Transcriptome / genetics
  • Gene Expression Profiling
  • Pregnancy
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental
  • Embryo Implantation / genetics
  • Embryo, Mammalian / metabolism

Grant Funding

  • （ 2023QN03057） / Inner Mongolia Natural Sciences Fund

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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Citations

This article has been cited 1 times.
  1. Satué K, La Fauci D, Medica P, Damiá Gímenez E, Cravana C, Fazio E. Shifts between pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory profiles in pregnant mares: a review of physiological functions. Front Vet Sci 2025;12:1660759.
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