Progress and challenges in the proteomics of domestic pig in research on the female reproductive system

Abstract

The proteomics of pigs is developing dynamically, attracting much attention among representatives of medical and health sciences, veterinary medicine, agricultural and natural sciences. The pig has been widely studied in genetics and genomics. However, proteomic applications are still awaiting more extensive implementation, both in the use of pigs as animal models in biomedicine sciences, and in the exploration of physiological tracts important for pig production. Underdeveloped databases for identification and analysis of porcine proteins as well as the scarcity of detailed information on similarities and differences between humans and pigs at the molecular level are hampering the pig proteomics. However, the use of pigs in proteomic studies in both physiological and biomedical sciences is prevalent comparing to other farm animals. The focus of the reported pig model proteomics studies is on exploring physiology and diseases, and on improving pig breading and productivity. This species has been used as a model in proteomics studies involved in ocular, brain, nutritional and reproduction research, etc. In the present paper we discuss technologies and bioinformatic tools used in studies of a proteome to verify the peptide- and protein-based content and we summarize the current status of proteomic studies of pigs. We focus on studies of the female reproductive system because the examination and understanding of the biology of oocytes, the oviduct and the uterus could facilitate the identification of mechanisms involved in the prenatal development, and it may help to develop new treatment for infertility of farm animals. 2016, Polish Society Magnesium Research. All rights reserved.