Evaluation of lncRNA from spermatozoa and zygotes of cattle

• Grant number: 20/04530-8
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: December 01, 2020
• End date: June 30, 2021
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Veterinary Medicine - Animal Reproduction
• Principal Investigator: Ricardo Perecin Nociti
• Grantee: Júlia Biagi Veronez
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Zootecnia e Engenharia de Alimentos (FZEA). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Pirassununga , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Nuclear reprogramming is necessary for embryonic development, been already well portrayed in the chromatin and DNA modifications. Furthermore, long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are among the agents of this process. Although, the action of lncRNA with respect to bovine embryos is still poorly studied. It is necessary to understand how transcripts of parental origin act during embryonic development for zygote viability. This project aims to test the hypothesis that there are lncRNAs expressed in sperm, of paternal origin, different from those of the female gamete, which can be transmitted to zygotes, suggesting an important role during the initial embryonic development of cattle. We propose to identify the expression of some lncRNAs, by means of basic bioinformatics techniques and to analyze by qPCR the lncRNAs expressed in male gametes and zygotes, thus forming the following objectives: to validate the expression of lncRNAs in bovine sperm; compare the levels of expression between bulls and zebu cattle sperm; verify if the lncRNAs found in bovine sperm can also be found in zygotes. Thus, we hope to estimate the importance and function of this genetic material during early embryonic development.