Investigating the expression of fertility-regulating LncRNAs in multiparous and uniparous Shal ewe's ovaries.

Sheep is the primary source of animal protein in Iran. Birth type is one of the significant features that determine total meat output. Little is known about how LncRNAs affect litter size. The purpose of this research is to investigate the DE-LncRNAs in ovarian tissue between multiparous and uniparous Shal ewes. Through bioinformatics analyses, LncRNAs with variable expression levels between ewes were discovered. Target genes were annotated using the DAVID database, and STRING and Cytoscape software were used to evaluate their interactions. The expression levels of 148 LncRNAs were different in the multiparous and uniparous ewe groups (FDR < 0.05). Eight biological process terms, 9 cellular component terms, 10 molecular function terms, and 38 KEGG pathways were significant (FDR < 0.05) in the GO analysis. One of the most significant processes impacting fertility is MAPK signaling pathway, followed by oocyte meiosis, GnRH signaling pathway, progesterone-mediated oocyte maturation, oxytocin signaling pathway and cAMP signaling pathway. ENSOARG00000025710, ENSOARG00000025667, ENSOARG00000026034 and ENSOARG00000026632 are lncRNAs that may affect litter size and fertility. The most crucial hub genes include MAPK1, BRD2, GAK, RAP1B, FGF2, RAP1B and RAP1B. We hope that this study will encourage researchers to further investigate the effect of lncRNAs on fertility.