Ovarian transcriptomic analysis reveals differential expression genes associated with cell death process after selection for ovulation rate in rabbits

[EN] Transcriptomic analysis showed nineteen potential biomarkers in ovarian tissue from females belonged to a rabbit line selected for ovulation rate for 10 generations and the control line. These females differed not only in ovulation rate but also in prenatal survival since similar litter size were observed. Litter size is an essential trait in rabbit meat production but with low heritability. A selection experiment for ovulation rate has been performed for 10 generations to improve litter size in rabbits. The selected line increased two ova more than the control line but nevertheless a negative correlation was observed with prenatal survival. A transcriptomic study was performed, using microarrays, in ovarian tissue from females belonging to the selected line and the control line. Our results showed 1357 differential expressed genes and nineteen potential biomarkers associated with prenatal mortality, which could explain differences between litter size in rabbits. Cell death was the most relevant process. This research was supported by MEC (AGL2014-55921-C2-1-P) and Generalitat Valenciana (Prometeo 2009/125). Serna-García, M.; Peiró Barber, RM.; Serna, E.; Santacreu Jerez, MA. (2020). Ovarian transcriptomic analysis reveals differential expression genes associated with cell death process after selection for ovulation rate in rabbits. Animals. 10(10):1-11. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani10101924 Laborda, P., Mocé, M. L., Blasco, A., & Santacreu, M. A. (2012). Selection for ovulation rate in rabbits: Genetic parameters and correlated responses on survival rates1. Journal of Animal Science, 90(2), 439-446. doi:10.2527/jas.2011-4219 Laborda, P., Mocé, M. L., Santacreu, M. A., & Blasco, A. (2011). Selection for ovulation rate in rabbits: Genetic parameters, direct response, and correlated response on litter size1. Journal of Animal Science, 89(10), 2981-2987. doi:10.2527/jas.2011-3906 Laborda, P., Santacreu, M. A., Blasco, A., & Mocé, M. L. (2012). Selection for ovulation rate in rabbits: Direct and correlated responses estimated with a cryopreserved control population1. Journal of Animal Science, 90(10), 3392-3397. doi:10.2527/jas.2011-4837 Cunningham, P. J., England, M. E., Young, L. D., & Zimmerman, D. R. (1979). Selection for Ovulation Rate in Swine: Correlated Response in Litter Size and Weight. Journal of Animal Science, 48(3), 509-516. doi:10.2527/jas1979.483509x Rosendo, A., Druet, T., Gogué, J., & Bidanel, J. P. (2007). Direct responses to six generat