Why do sperm carry RNA? Relatedness, conflict, and control
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Updated: Apr 28, 2026

Screening Sperm for the Rapid Isolation of Germline Edits in Zebrafish
Published on: February 10, 2023
David J Hosken1, David J Hodgson1
1Centre for Ecology and Conservation, University of Exeter, Cornwall Campus, Tremough, Penryn, TR10 9EZ, UK.
Abstract:
Classically, sperm were seen as transcriptionally inactive vehicles for delivering the paternal haplotype to an egg. Yet, it has become apparent that sperm also carry thousands of different RNAs, and the functions of most of these are unknown. Here, we make four novel suggestions for sperm RNA function. First, they could act as relatedness markers facilitating sperm cooperation. Second, they could act as paternally imposed suppressors of haploid interests. Third, they could act as a nuptial gift, providing the female with resources that entice her to fertilise ova using the sperm of the gift-provider. Fourth, they could represent the contents of a Trojan horse, delivered by males to manipulate female reproduction. We discuss these ideas and suggest how they might be tested.
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