What is the Origin of Sperm miRNA?

This discovery is a product of modern molecular reproductive biology, moving beyond the traditional view of sperm as merely a vehicle for the paternal genome. The term highlights the critical regulatory role of non-coding RNA in cellular function and its transmission through the male gamete.

What is the Mechanism of Sperm miRNA?

Sperm miRNAs act as post-transcriptional regulators, influencing gene expression in the early embryo by binding to messenger RNA (mRNA) transcripts and modulating their translation into proteins. Environmental factors and the male's hormonal status can alter the sperm miRNA profile, potentially transmitting acquired phenotypic traits or affecting fertility outcomes through epigenetic mechanisms.

Sperm miRNA ∞ Area

Sperm miRNA

Meaning

Micro-ribonucleic acids (miRNAs) are small, non-coding RNA molecules encapsulated within the mature spermatozoon that play a critical role in early embryogenesis and intergenerational epigenetic inheritance. These molecules are essential components of the sperm’s biological information package delivered to the oocyte.