Deciphering Cellular Heterogeneity and Communication Patterns in Porcine Antral Follicles by Single-Cell RNA Sequencing

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  • Na Chen
  • Yong Zhang
  • Yuhan Tian
  • Shumei Wu
  • Gao, Fei
  • Xiaolong Yuan

The antral follicle stage is a critical period in mammalian oocyte maturation, marked by complex interactions between oocyte development and neighboring granulosa cells. Understanding the heterogeneity and communication patterns of granulosa cells within antral follicles is crucial for deciphering their roles in follicle development and oocyte maturation. Here, we employed single-cell RNA-sequencing to explore the molecular and cellular characteristics of porcine antral follicles. Our analysis revealed distinct subpopulations within mural and cumulus granulosa cells, indicating diverse cellular states and functions within the follicles. Functional enrichment analysis unveiled the involvement of specific subpopulations in steroid biosynthesis, cumulus expansion, and cellular communication. Moreover, comparing mature and less mature follicles highlighted differences in cell distribution and functions, indicating developmental-specific variations. Our findings shed light on the intricate cellular heterogeneity and communication network within porcine antral follicles, providing valuable insights into the regulation of follicle development and oocyte maturation in pigs. These results hold promise for improving pig reproductive efficiency and advancing human reproductive medicine.

Original languageEnglish
Article number3019
JournalAnimals
Volume13
Issue number19
Number of pages15
ISSN2076-2615
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2023

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© 2023 by the authors.

    Research areas

  • antral follicle, cell heterogeneity, cell-cell communication, granulosa cells, scRNA-seq

ID: 389602163