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The aim of the present study was to elucidate the regulatory role of cell proliferation and apoptosis in testicular development of wild Daurian ground squirrels during the breeding season (April), the non-breeding season (June) and before hibernation (September). Gross mass and hormonal analysis showed that the testis : body mass ratio and plasma testosterone concentration fluctuated seasonally, with a peak in April and lowest values in June. Similarly, spermatogenesis was fully developed in April but suppressed in June and September. Testicular decellularisation and vacuolisation was seen during the transition from the breeding to the non-breeding season. Furthermore, testicular levels of proliferating cell nuclear antigen, cyclin D2 and caspase-3 protein were significantly increased in June and September. Intriguingly, positive terminal deoxyribonucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP-digoxigenin nick end-labelling staining and nuclear translocation of caspase-3 in testicular germ cells appeared only during the prehibernation period, whereas accumulation of cyclin D2 in spermatocyte nuclei occurred in September. These findings demonstrate, for the first time, that both cell proliferation and apoptosis are stimulated during the prehibernation period, indicating that a hormonal-regulated balance of testicular germ cell proliferation and apoptosis may play a pivotal role in preparing for testicular recrudescence of wild Daurian ground squirrels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

MicroRNA (miRNA) plays a key role in development and specific biological processes, such as cell proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis. Extensive studies of mammary miRNAs have been performed in different species and tissues. However, little is known about porcine mammary gland miRNAs. In this study, we report the identification and characterization of miRNAs in the lactating mammary gland in two distinct pig breeds, Jinhua and Yorkshire. Many miRNAs were detected as significantly differentially expressed between the two libraries. Among the differentially expressed miRNAs, many are known to be related to mammary gland development and lactation by interacting with putative target genes in previous studies. These findings suggest that miRNA expression patterns may contribute significantly to target mRNA regulation and influence mammary gland development and peak lactation performance. The data we obtained provide useful information about the roles of miRNAs in the biological processes of lactation and the mechanisms of target gene expression and regulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]