The estrous cycle is a complex process regulated by several hormones. To understand the dynamic changes in gene expression that takes place in the swine endometrium during the estrous cycle relative to the day of estrus onset, we performed RNA-sequencing analysis on days 0, 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, and 18, resulting in the identification of 4495 differentially expressed genes (DEGs; Q ≤ 0.05 and |log₂FC| ≥ 1) at various phases in the estrous cycle. These DEGs were integrated into multiple gene co-expression networks based on different fold changes and correlation coefficient (R²) thresholds and a suitable network, which included 899 genes (|log2FC| ≥ 2 and R² ≥ 0.99), was identified for downstream analyses based on the biological relevance of the Gene Ontology (GO) terms enriched. The genes in this network were partitioned into 6 clusters based on the expression pattern. Several GO terms including cell cycle, apoptosis, hormone signaling, and lipid biosynthetic process were found to be enriched. Furthermore, we found 15 significant KEGG pathways, including cell adhesion molecules, cytokine-cytokine receptor signaling, steroid biosynthesis, and estrogen signaling pathways. We identified several genes and GO terms to be stage-specific. Moreover, the identified genes and pathways extend our understanding of porcine endometrial regulation during estrous cycle and will serve as a good resource for future studies.

中文翻译：

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序列基因共表达网络方法在动情周期中从猪子宫内膜的整合转录组挖掘生物学意义。

发情周期是由几种激素调节的复杂过程。为了了解发情周期相对于发情日在猪子宫内膜中基因表达的动态变化，我们在第0、3、6、9、12、15和18天进行了RNA测序分析，导致的4495点差异表达的基因的鉴定;（DEGS Q  ≤0.05和|登录₂在发情周期各个阶段≥1 | FC）。这些DEG根据不同的倍数变化和相关系数（R ²）阈值和合适的网络整合到多个基因共表达网络中，该网络包括899个基因（| log2FC |≥2和R ² ≥0.99），可根据丰富的基因本体论（GO）术语的生物学相关性进行下游分析。该网络中的基因根据表达模式分为6个簇。发现包括细胞周期，凋亡，激素信号传导和脂质生物合成过程在内的几个GO术语被丰富了。此外，我们发现了15条重要的KEGG途径，包括细胞粘附分子，细胞因子-细胞因子受体信号传导，类固醇生物合成和雌激素信号传导途径。我们确定了几个基因和GO术语是阶段特异性的。此外，确定的基因和途径扩展了我们对动情周期中猪子宫内膜调节的理解，并将为将来的研究提供良好的资源。