A series of complex processes regulate muscle development, and lncRNAs play essential roles in the regulation of skeletal myogenesis. Using RNA sequencing, we profiled the lncRNA expression during goat (Capra hircus) skeletal muscle development, which included seven stages across fetal 45 (F45), 65 (F65), 90 (F90), 120 (F120), 135 (F135) days, born for 24 h (B1) and 90 (B90) days. A total of 15,079 lncRNAs were identified in the seven stages, and they were less conservative with other species (human, cow, and mouse). Among them, 547 were differentially expressed, and they divided the seven stages into three functional transition periods. Following weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA), five lncRNA modules specific for developmental stages were defined as three types: ‘Early modules’, ‘late modules’, and ‘individual-stage-specific modules’. The enrichment content showed that ‘early modules’ were related to muscle structure formation, ‘late modules’ participated in the ‘p53 signaling pathway’ and other pathways, the F90-highly related module was involved in the ‘MAPK signaling pathway’, and other pathways. Furthermore, we identified hub-lncRNA in three types of modules, and LNC_011371, LNC_ 007561, and LNC_001728 may play important roles in goat skeletal muscle. These data will facilitate further exploration of skeletal muscle lncRNA functions at different developmental stages in goats.

The present study aimed to reveal the effects of immunocastration on the development of the immune system in rats. Seventy rats were randomly assigned into two groups: Control (n = 35) and immunized (n = 35). Twenty-day-old rats were immunized with gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) and booster immunization was administered every two weeks (three immunizations in total). From 20-day-old rats, we collected samples every two weeks, including five immunized rats and five control rats (seven collections in total). We collected blood samples, testicles, thymuses, and spleens. The results showed that GnRH immunization increased the GnRH antibody titers and reduced the testosterone concentration (both P < 0.05). Compared with the control group, the number of CD4+CD8− cells, CD4−CD8+ cells, and CD4+CD8+ cells increased (P < 0.05) whereas the number of CD4-CD8- cells and CD4+CD25+ cells reduced in the immunized group (P < 0.05) over time. GnRH immunization also increased the relative weights of thymus and spleen (P < 0.05), serum concentrations of interleukin (IL)-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, IL-17 and Interferon-γ (IFN-γ) over time (P < 0.05), and changed the mRNA levels of IL-2, IL-4, IL-6. IL-10, IL-17, IFN-γ, CD4, D8, CD19 GnRH, and GnRH receptor (GnRH-R) in thymus and spleen. Thus, GnRH immunization enhanced the immune markers in thymus, spleen, and blood immune cytokines in rats.

This study explored the role of γ-aminobutyric acid transaminase (GABA-T) in the puberty and reproductive performance of female rats. Immunofluorescence technique, quantitative real-time PCR (RT-qPCR) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) were used to detect the distribution of GABA-T and the expression of genes and hormones in female rats, respectively. The results showed that GABA-T was mainly distributed in the arcuate nucleus (ARC), paraventricular nucleus (PVN) and periventricular nucleus (PeN) of the hypothalamus, and in the adenohypophysis, ovarian granulosa cells and oocytes. Abat mRNA level at 28 d was lowest in the hypothalamus and the pituitary; at puberty, it was lowest in the ovary. Abat mRNA level was highest in adults in the hypothalamus; at infancy and puberty, it was highest in the pituitary; and at 21 d it was highest in the ovary. After vigabatrin (GABA-T irreversible inhibitor) was added to hypothalamus cells, the levels of Abat mRNA and Rfrp-3 mRNA were significantly reduced, but Gnrh mRNA increased at the dose of 25 and 50 μg/mL; Kiss1 mRNA was significantly increased but Gabbr1 mRNA was reduced at the 50 μg/mL dose. In prepubertal rats injected with vigabatrin, puberty onset was delayed. Abat mRNA, Kiss1 mRNA and Gnrh mRNA levels were significantly reduced, but Rfrp-3 mRNA level increased in the hypothalamus. Vigabatrin reduced the concentrations of GABA-T, luteinizing hormone (LH) and progesterone (P₄), and the ovarian index. Lactation performance was reduced in adult rats with vigabatrin treatment. Four hours after vigabatrin injection, the concentrations of GABA-T and LH were significantly reduced in adult and 25 d rats, but follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) increased in 25 d rats. In conclusion, GABA-T affects the reproductive function of female rats by regulating the levels of Gnrh, Kiss1 and Rfrp-3 in the hypothalamus as well as the concentrations of LH and P₄.