Sequential expression of long noncoding RNA as mRNA gene expression in specific stages of mouse spermatogenesis

Many long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) species have been identified in gametes. However, the biogenesis and function of other categories of lncRNAs in gametes is poorly understood. Here, we profiled the expression of lncRNAs and mRNAs in spermatogonial stem cells (SSC), type A spermatogonia (A), pachytene spermatocytes (PS) and round spermatids (RS) by microarray analysis. We analyze the total expression of lncRNA/mRNA in these four germ cells and found that the maximum number of lncRNAs expression is in A (22127), and the minimum is in PS (14456). Also, the maximum number of mRNAs is in A (19923), and the minimum is in PS (13941). Furthermore, the trend in the number of specific lncRNAs was similar to the number of specific mRNAs in each type of germ cells (e.g., maximum in A and minimum in PS). The trend in the number of lncRNAs was similar to the number of mRNAs in two continued types of germ cells (e.g., maximum in SSC to A and minimum in PS to RS). The correlation analysis showed a high correlation coefficient of lncRNAs/mRNAs expression (R = 0.992). The results suggested that the sequential expression of long noncoding RNA as mRNA gene expression exhibits coordinated changes in male spermatogenesis.