Sus scrofa domesticus strain:BX-cross Transcriptome or Gene expression

The aim of this study was characterize the transcriptomes of two phentypically distinct cell types in the pig placenta that occur along the fetal maternal interface at day 85 of gestation using a combination of laser capture microdissection and RNA-seq.. As the placenta of the pig is a non-invasive form of placentation, cells along the interface may play a critical role in the formation of microscopic folds that increase the surface area of the placenta. The depth of these folds are also inversely related to the body size of the fetal piglet with small piglets having larger folds than large piglets. Small piglets have a higher rate of mortality and do not gain weight in an efficient manner post-weaning. Determining the function of the cells and what makes them different may shed light on the mechanisms controlling development of the folds and generate new hypothesis's for the development of interventions designed to increase piglet birth-weight, survivability and post-weaning weight gain.