What is the Origin of Sperm-Borne RNAs?

This is a precise term from molecular biology and reproductive endocrinology, referring to the ribonucleic acid (RNA) content transported by the sperm cell. The realization that sperm carry more than just DNA fundamentally changed the understanding of non-Mendelian inheritance. This area of research is relatively new and rapidly expanding.

What is the Mechanism of Sperm-Borne RNAs?

These RNAs function as regulatory molecules in the zygote, influencing early embryonic development, gene expression, and potentially programming metabolic health in the offspring. The quality and profile of the sperm-borne RNAs are highly sensitive to the father's environmental exposures, diet, and hormonal status. This provides a direct mechanism for paternal lifestyle factors to influence the next generation's health trajectory and developmental programming.

Sperm-Borne RNAs

Meaning

The diverse population of non-coding RNA molecules, including microRNAs and transfer RNAs, that are carried within the mature spermatozoon and delivered to the oocyte upon fertilization. These molecules are a critical component of the paternal epigenetic contribution to the early embryo. They represent a mechanism for non-genetic, intergenerational inheritance.