Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Spermatogenesis01:41

Spermatogenesis

90.7K
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...
90.7K
Spermatogenesis01:22

Spermatogenesis

8.2K
Spermatogenesis is a complex process that involves the development of sperm cells from undifferentiated stem cells in the seminiferous tubules of the testes. The process is essential for the production of mature and functional sperm cells that are capable of fertilizing an egg.
The process of spermatogenesis can be divided into mitosis, meiosis, and spermiogenesis. During mitosis, the spermatogonia or stem cells divide to produce two identical daughter cells, type A and B spermatogonia. Type-A...
8.2K
MicroRNAs01:22

MicroRNAs

3.0K
MicroRNA (miRNA) are short, regulatory RNA transcribed from introns (non-coding regions of a gene) or intergenic regions (stretches of DNA present between genes). Several processing steps are required to form biologically active, mature miRNA. The initial transcript, called primary miRNA (pri-mRNA), base-pairs with itself, forming a stem-loop structure. Within the nucleus, an endonuclease enzyme, called Drosha, shortens the stem-loop structure into hairpin-shaped pre-miRNA. After the pre-miRNA...
3.0K
MicroRNAs01:22

MicroRNAs

21.0K
MicroRNA (miRNA) are short, regulatory RNA transcribed from introns—non-coding regions of a gene—or intergenic regions—stretches of DNA present between genes. Several processing steps are required to form biologically active, mature miRNA. The initial transcript, called primary miRNA (pri-mRNA), base-pairs with itself forming a stem-loop structure. Within the nucleus, an endonuclease enzyme, called Drosha, shortens the stem-loop structure into hairpin-shaped pre-miRNA. After...
21.0K
MicroRNAs01:22

MicroRNAs

9.8K
9.8K
Fertilization01:38

Fertilization

68.7K
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...
68.7K

You might also read

Related Articles

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

Sort by
Same author

Tissue-resident neutrophils serve homeostatic and immunological functions in embryos.

Nature communications·2026
Same author

Cohort Profile Update: Expanding the Cardiovascular Risk in Young Finns Study into a multigenerational cohort.

International journal of epidemiology·2026
Same author

The late chromatoid body component TSSK2 is involved in translational regulation in elongating spermatids in mice.

Reproduction (Cambridge, England)·2025
Same author

NXT2 is a key component of the RNA nuclear export factor complex in the human testis and essential for spermatogenesis.

Nature communications·2025
Same author

Exposure to childhood maltreatment is associated with specific epigenetic patterns in sperm.

Molecular psychiatry·2025
Same author

Imatinib decreases germ cell survival and germline stem cell proliferation in rodent testis ex vivo and in vitro.

Andrology·2024

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Apr 28, 2026

A Seminiferous Tubule Squash Technique for the Cytological Analysis of Spermatogenesis Using the Mouse Model
09:40

A Seminiferous Tubule Squash Technique for the Cytological Analysis of Spermatogenesis Using the Mouse Model

Published on: February 6, 2018

14.9K

MicroRNAs and spermatogenesis.

Noora Kotaja1

  • 1Department of Physiology, Institute of Biomedicine, University of Turku, Turku, Finland.

Fertility and Sterility
|June 3, 2014
PubMed
Summary

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are crucial regulators of gene expression during mammalian spermatogenesis. These small RNAs control gene activity post-transcriptionally, ensuring proper male germ cell development and fertility.

Area of Science:

  • Reproductive Biology
  • Molecular Genetics
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Spermatogenesis involves complex gene regulation in male germ cells.
  • MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are key noncoding RNAs regulating gene expression post-transcriptionally.
  • miRNAs are essential for controlling gene stability and translation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the critical role of miRNAs in regulating spermatogenesis.
  • To discuss the function of miRNAs in male germ cell differentiation.
  • To explore miRNAs as potential biomarkers for male infertility.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of existing literature on miRNA function in spermatogenesis.
  • Review of studies using genetically modified mouse models.
  • Examination of clinical studies on miRNA expression profiles.
Keywords:
DicerSpermatogenesisgerm cellsmiRNAsnoncoding RNAs

More Related Videos

Isolation of Murine Spermatogenic Cells using a Violet-Excited Cell-Permeable DNA Binding Dye
08:21

Isolation of Murine Spermatogenic Cells using a Violet-Excited Cell-Permeable DNA Binding Dye

Published on: January 14, 2021

5.2K
Micromanipulation of Chromosomes in Insect Spermatocytes
05:45

Micromanipulation of Chromosomes in Insect Spermatocytes

Published on: October 22, 2018

8.3K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Apr 28, 2026

A Seminiferous Tubule Squash Technique for the Cytological Analysis of Spermatogenesis Using the Mouse Model
09:40

A Seminiferous Tubule Squash Technique for the Cytological Analysis of Spermatogenesis Using the Mouse Model

Published on: February 6, 2018

14.9K
Isolation of Murine Spermatogenic Cells using a Violet-Excited Cell-Permeable DNA Binding Dye
08:21

Isolation of Murine Spermatogenic Cells using a Violet-Excited Cell-Permeable DNA Binding Dye

Published on: January 14, 2021

5.2K
Micromanipulation of Chromosomes in Insect Spermatocytes
05:45

Micromanipulation of Chromosomes in Insect Spermatocytes

Published on: October 22, 2018

8.3K

Main Results:

  • miRNAs are expressed in a cell-specific manner during spermatogenesis.
  • miRNA pathways are vital for normal spermatogenesis.
  • Specific miRNAs play distinct roles in male germ cell types.

Conclusions:

  • miRNAs are central regulators of spermatogenesis and male fertility.
  • miRNA expression profiles show potential for diagnosing male factor infertility.
  • Further research is needed to fully elucidate miRNA functions in reproduction.