Blood Transcriptomic Analyses Reveal Functional Pathways Associated with Thermotolerance in Pregnant Ewes Exposed to Environmental Heat Stress

Environmental heat stress triggers a series of compensatory mechanisms in sheep that are dependent on their genetic regulation thermotolerance. Our objective was to identify genes and regulatory pathways associated with thermotolerance ewes exposed stress. We performed next-generation RNA sequencing blood collected from 16 pregnant ewes, which were grouped as tolerant non-tolerant according physiological indicator. Additional samples measure complete count. A total 358 differentially expressed identified after applying selection criteria. Gene expression analysis detected 46 GO terms 52 KEGG functional pathways. The top-three signaling p53, RIG-I-like receptor FoxO, suggested gene participation biological processes such apoptosis, cell immune response external stressors. Network revealed ATM, ISG15, IRF7, MDM4, DHX58 TGFβR1 over-expressed high potential. co-expression network involving the immune-related IRF7 DXH58 lymphocytes monocytes, consistent hematological findings. In conclusion, transcriptomic non-viral mechanism is induced by stressors appears play an important role molecular tolerance ewes.