Multi-Omics Molecular Signatures for Fertility Status in Beef Heifers

A 2026 study by T. Cody Brown integrates transcriptomic and proteomic data from peripheral white blood cells of 12 beef heifers (6 fertile, 6 subfertile). The dataset, shared via figshare, includes results from RNA-Sequencing and untargeted proteomics, identifying 230 differentially expressed genes and 70 differentially abundant proteins. Network analyses reveal regulatory patterns and potential biomarkers associated with pregnancy outcomes.

Use Cases

• Identify potential fertility biomarkers based on differentially expressed genes and proteins.
• Analyze regulatory network patterns between fertile and subfertile groups based on connectivity metrics.
• Investigate the interplay between hormone signaling and chromatin regulation based on rewired epigenetic transcription factors.
• Validate multi-omics integration approaches for non-invasive biomarker discovery in animal science.

Strengths

• Integrates two omics layers (transcriptomics and proteomics) from the same biological samples.
• Includes results from statistical and network analyses (e.g., 230 DEGs, 70 DAPs, regulatory impact factor genes).
• Data is derived from a non-invasive source (peripheral white blood cells), relevant for practical applications.
• Published under a permissive CC-BY-4.0 license for reuse.

Limitations

• Small sample size (n=12 total) limits statistical power and generalizability.
• Column-level documentation is absent; field semantics must be inferred after download.
• Row count is unknown, which may limit suitability assessment for certain analyses.

Provenance

Source

T. Cody Brown via figshare.

Collection Method

RNA-Sequencing and untargeted proteomics performed on peripheral white blood cells collected before artificial insemination.

Time Range

Collection time not specified; study published in 2026.

Freshness

Last updated 2026-04-19 22:01:28.

Geography

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