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Journal of Integrative Agriculture  2026, Vol. 25 Issue (9): 3800-3813    DOI: 10.1016/j.jia.2024.09.029
Animal Science · Veterinary Medicine Advanced Online Publication | Current Issue | Archive | Adv Search |
scRNA-seq reveals the molecular atlas of the goat follicular microenvi-ronment over the time course of ovulation

Conghui Guo1, 2*, Guangbin Liu1, 2*, Jie Liu1, 2, Kaihao Chen1, 2, Ming Deng1, 2, Baoli Sun1, 2, Yongqing Guo1, 2, Dewu Liu1, 2#, Yaokun Li1, 2#

1 College of Animal Science/National Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Livestock and Poultry, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China

2 Lingnan Guangdong Laboratory of Modern Agriculture, Guangzhou 510642, China

 Highlights 
Single-cell sequencing revealed cellular dynamics during goat ovulation.
Immune-cell infiltration occurs within 6 h after the luteinizing hormone (LH)/human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) surge.
Granulosa cell–immune cell communication is pivotal for ovulation progression.
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摘要  

哺乳动物的排卵是一个高度复杂且精密调控的生物过程,涉及多种细胞类型、信号分子和细胞因子的协同作用。卵巢卵泡液为排卵提供了适宜的微环境,排卵的顺利进行雌性动物的生育能力以及农场的经济效益紧密相关。因此,深入了解排卵过程及其分子机制具有重要意义。本研究旨在通过绘制山羊卵泡液的单细胞图谱,探讨排卵的时间动态。我们对hCG刺激后0 hh12 h18 h24 h的山羊卵泡液进行了单细胞转录组测序,鉴定出其中四种细胞类型:颗粒细胞、髓系细胞、T细胞和B细胞,并进一步划分出3个颗粒细胞亚群(生长卵泡颗粒细胞;排卵卵泡颗粒细胞;闭锁卵泡颗粒细胞)6个髓系细胞亚群(促炎巨噬细胞a;促炎巨噬细胞b;抑炎巨噬细胞;新增巨噬细胞;单核细胞;中性粒细胞)。此外,我们还解析了排卵过程中颗粒细胞的基因表达和功能变化。尤其值得注意的是,我们发现LH峰后的6小时内,大量免疫细胞,特别是巨噬细胞,迅速浸入卵泡液。同时,我们还揭示了颗粒细胞与巨噬细胞之间密切的相互作用,提示颗粒细胞可能在免疫细胞浸润的调节中发挥作用,巨噬细胞可能促进卵母细胞的成熟。总体而言,我们的研究构建了山羊卵泡排卵的单细胞转录组图谱,揭示了排卵过程中细胞类型及基因表达的变化、细胞互作关系,为深入探索排卵机制及排卵障碍的治疗提供了重要基础,为山羊繁殖力的提升、经济效益的扩大提供新思路。



Abstract  

Ovulation is paramount for female animal fertility, necessitating a thorough understanding of its process and molecular underpinnings.  This study aimed to delineate the temporal dynamics of ovulation in the goat ovary.  Utilizing single-cell sequencing, we analyzed follicular fluid samples obtained at 0, 6, 12, 18, and 24 h post-hCG administration, identifying 4 cell types and 6 myeloid cell subtypes.  We elucidated gene expression and functional changes in granulosa cells (GCs) over the time course of ovulation.  Notably, our study detected and confirmed immune cell infiltration at 6 h post-luteinizing hormone (LH) peak.  Additionally, cell–cell communication analysis revealed strong predicted interactions between GCs and macrophages, involving signaling programs associated with immune-cell recruitment, extracellular-matrix remodeling, and oocyte maturation.  Collectively, our investigation has established a comprehensive single-cell transcriptome atlas of the ovulatory goat follicular microenvironment for advancing exploration into ovulation mechanisms and developing therapies for ovulatory disorders.

Keywords:  hCG       ovulation        granulosa cell        macrophages  
Received: 26 April 2024   Accepted: 03 September 2024 Online: 26 September 2024  
Fund: This work was supported by the Guangdong Seed Industry Revitalization Project, China (2022-XPY-00-010), the Guangdong-Guangxi Cooperative Technology Special Envoys Team Project, China (E230257), and the Modern Agricultural Industrial Technology System of Guangdong Province, China (2023KJ127).  
About author:  #Correspondence Yaokun Li, E-mail: ykli@scau.edu.cn; Dewu Liu, E-mail: dwliu@scau.edu.cn * These authors contributed equally to this study.

Cite this article: 

Conghui Guo, Guangbin Liu, Jie Liu, Kaihao Chen, Ming Deng, Baoli Sun, Yongqing Guo, Dewu Liu, Yaokun Li. 2026. scRNA-seq reveals the molecular atlas of the goat follicular microenvi-ronment over the time course of ovulation. Journal of Integrative Agriculture, 25(9): 3800-3813.

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