Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

Spermatogenesis

Spermatogenesis

Spermatogenesis is the process by which haploid sperm cells are produced in the male testes. It starts with stem cells located close to the outer rim of seminiferous tubules. These spermatogonial stem cells divide asymmetrically to give rise to additional stem cells (meaning that these structures “self-renew”), as well as sperm progenitors, called spermatocytes. Importantly, this method of asymmetric mitotic division maintains a population of spermatogonial stem cells in the male reproductive...

Sperm Transport

Sperm Transport

The journey of sperm from its origin to the point of ejaculation begins within the seminiferous tubules of the testis. Here, Sertoli cells produce fluid that propels non-motile sperm through a series of conduits, starting with the straight tubules leading to the rete testis. This interconnected network of tubules acts as the initial pathway for sperm, guiding them into the efferent ductules and then into the epididymis for maturation.
The maturation phase occurs in the epididymis, where sperm...

Sperm Structure and Semen Composition

Sperm Structure and Semen Composition

During ejaculation, males release around 2-5 milliliters of semen, which is a complex mixture of mature sperm and various fluids produced by accessory glands. The mature sperm cells measure approximately 60 micrometers in length and consist of a head, neck, midpiece, and tail. The head is flattened and tapered, measuring about 4 to 5 micrometers in length. It contains a nucleus with condensed chromosomes and an acrosome, a cap-like structure filled with enzymes essential for penetrating the...

Ribosomal RNA Synthesis

Ribosomal RNA Synthesis

Ribosome synthesis is a highly complex and coordinated process involving more than 200 assembly factors. The synthesis and processing of ribosomal components occurs not only in the nucleolus but also in the nucleoplasm and the cytoplasm of eukaryotic cells.
Ribosome biogenesis begins with the synthesis of 5S and 45S pre-rRNAs by distinct RNA polymerases. The primary transcripts are extensively processed and modified before they are bound and folded by ribosomal proteins and assembly factors,...

Non-LTR Retrotransposons

Non-LTR Retrotransposons

As the name suggests, non-LTR retrotransposons lack the long terminal repeats characteristic of the LTR retrotransposons. Additionally, both LTR and non-LTR retrotransposons use distinct mechanisms of mobilization. Non-LTR retrotransposons are further divided into two classes - Long interspersed nuclear elements (LINEs) and short interspersed nuclear elements (SINEs), both of which occur abundantly in most mammals, including humans. Some of the active non-LTR retrotransposons in humans are L1...

Fertilization

Fertilization

During fertilization, an egg and sperm cell fuse to create a new diploid structure. In humans, the process occurs once the egg has been released from the ovary, and travels into the fallopian tubes. The process requires several key steps: 1) sperm present in the genital tract must locate the egg; 2) once there, sperm need to release enzymes to help them burrow through the protective zona pellucida of the egg; and 3) the membranes of a single sperm cell and egg must fuse, with the sperm...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

Granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor-containing medium for blastocyst recovery culture: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial (GSET-study).

Trials·2026

Same author

Multicenter cohort study of the effect of Crinone® progesterone vaginal gel alone to prepare the endometrium for frozen-thawed blastocyst transfer in a hormone replacement cycle.

The journal of obstetrics and gynaecology research·2025

Same author

Fertility preservation after gonadotoxic treatments for cancer and autoimmune diseases.

Journal of ovarian research·2023

Same author

Morphometric assessment of blastocysts: relationship with the ongoing pregnancy rate.

F&S reports·2023

Same author

Embryonic β-Catenin Is Required for Priming of the Uterus to Implantation.

Laboratory investigation; a journal of technical methods and pathology·2023

Same author

Assisted reproductive technology in Japan: A summary report for 2020 by the ethics Committee of the Japan Society of obstetrics and gynecology.

Reproductive medicine and biology·2023

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 25, 2026

Screening Sperm for the Rapid Isolation of Germline Edits in Zebrafish

Screening Sperm for the Rapid Isolation of Germline Edits in Zebrafish

Published on: February 10, 2023

Human spermatozoal RNAs.

Toshio Hamatani¹

¹Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan. toshiohamatani@z3.keio.jp

Fertility and Sterility

|February 1, 2012

Summary

Spermatozoal RNAs, including messenger RNAs (mRNAs) and microRNAs (miRNAs), are present in sperm and play a role in early embryo development. These RNAs can also serve as valuable biomarkers for male infertility.

Area of Science:

Reproductive Biology
Epigenetics
Molecular Biology

Background:

Mature spermatozoa, despite being transcriptionally silent, contain a diverse array of messenger RNAs (mRNAs) and microRNAs (miRNAs).
These spermatozoal RNAs are delivered to the oocyte during fertilization.
Their presence suggests a role in extragenomic contributions to early embryonic development.

Purpose of the Study:

To review the scientific literature on spermatozoal RNA.
To explore the role of spermatozoal RNAs in male infertility and early embryo development.

Main Methods:

Literature review and appraisal of relevant scientific articles.
Focus on infertile males as the patient population.

Main Results:

More Related Videos

Whole-Mount Fluorescence In Situ Hybridization to Study Spermatogenesis in the Anopheles Mosquito

Whole-Mount Fluorescence In Situ Hybridization to Study Spermatogenesis in the Anopheles Mosquito

Published on: May 26, 2023

Quantification of Adeno-Associated Viral Genomes in Purified Vector Samples by Digital Droplet Polymerase Chain Reaction

Quantification of Adeno-Associated Viral Genomes in Purified Vector Samples by Digital Droplet Polymerase Chain Reaction

Published on: October 11, 2024

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: May 25, 2026

Screening Sperm for the Rapid Isolation of Germline Edits in Zebrafish

Screening Sperm for the Rapid Isolation of Germline Edits in Zebrafish

Published on: February 10, 2023

Whole-Mount Fluorescence In Situ Hybridization to Study Spermatogenesis in the Anopheles Mosquito

Whole-Mount Fluorescence In Situ Hybridization to Study Spermatogenesis in the Anopheles Mosquito

Published on: May 26, 2023

Quantification of Adeno-Associated Viral Genomes in Purified Vector Samples by Digital Droplet Polymerase Chain Reaction

Quantification of Adeno-Associated Viral Genomes in Purified Vector Samples by Digital Droplet Polymerase Chain Reaction

Published on: October 11, 2024

Spermatozoa contain a complex population of mRNAs and miRNAs within their nucleus.
These RNAs are functional and contribute to early embryonic development.
Spermatozoal RNAs can be used as clinical markers for male infertility.

Conclusions:

Functional RNAs within spermatozoa are transferred to oocytes, influencing embryonic development.
Even residual spermatozoal RNAs hold significant potential for improving the diagnosis and investigation of male infertility.