Single-cell profiling reveals transcriptome dynamics during bovine oocyte growth

While many studies have generated extensive datasets characterising gene expression in bovine oocytes, they are mostly limited to the analysis of fully grown and matured oocytes. The aim of the present study was to apply single-cell RNA sequencing to interrogate the transcriptome of the growing bovine oocyte from the secondary follicle stage through to the mid-antral follicle stage. Single-cell RNA-seq libraries were generated from oocytes of known diameters (<60 to >120 um), and datasets were binned into non-overlapping size groups for downstream analysis. Combining the results of weighted gene co-expression network and Trendy analyses, and differently expressed genes (DEGs) between size groups, we identified a decrease in oxidative phosphorylation and an increase in maternal -genes and transcription regulators across the bovine oocyte growth phase. In addition, around 5,000 genes did not change in expression, revealing a cohort of stable genes. An interesting switch in gene expression profile was noted in oocytes greater than 100 um in diameter, when the expression of genes related to cytoplasmic activities was replaced by genes related to nuclear activities (e.g., chromosome segregation). The highest number of DEGs were detected in the comparison of oocytes 100-109 versus 110-119 um in diameter, revealing a profound change in the molecular profile of oocytes at the end of their growth phase. The current study provides a unique dataset of the key genes and pathways characteristic of each stage of oocyte development, contributing an important resource for a greater understanding of bovine oogenesis.