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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 16, 2026

Analysis of Epididymal Protein Synthesis and Secretion

Analysis of Epididymal Protein Synthesis and Secretion

Published on: August 25, 2018

The Small Non-Coding RNA Profile of Human and Mouse Sperm.

Yoon Sing Yap^1,2, Pasquale Patrizio³, Luisa Cimmino^1,2

¹Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA.

|February 25, 2025

Summary

Spermatozoa contain small RNAs that act as an epigenetic mechanism influencing offspring traits across generations. Lifestyle and environmental factors alter these sperm small RNAs, impacting embryo development and offspring phenotypes.

Keywords:

epigenetics miRNA rRNA fragments sperm tRNA fragments

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Last Updated: Jun 16, 2026

Analysis of Epididymal Protein Synthesis and Secretion

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Published on: August 25, 2018

Enhanced Crosslinking Immunoprecipitation eCLIP Method for Efficient Identification of Protein-bound RNA in Mouse Testis

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Preparation of Small RNA Libraries for Sequencing from Early Mouse Embryos

Preparation of Small RNA Libraries for Sequencing from Early Mouse Embryos

Published on: October 9, 2020

Area of Science:

Epigenetics
Reproductive Biology
Genomics

Background:

Small non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) are crucial epigenetic regulators.
Spermatozoa carry ncRNAs that can influence offspring development.
The role of sperm ncRNAs in transgenerational inheritance is an emerging field.

Purpose of the Study:

To review recent advances in sperm small RNA research.
To explore how lifestyle and environmental factors affect sperm ncRNA profiles.
To discuss the impact of sperm ncRNAs on offspring physiology.

Main Methods:

Literature review of current research on sperm small RNAs.
Analysis of studies investigating environmental and lifestyle influences on sperm ncRNAs.
Synthesis of findings on the role of sperm ncRNAs in reprogramming embryo development.

Main Results:

Spermatozoa contain dynamic small RNA profiles, with tRNA- and rRNA-derived fragments (tRFs and rRFs) predominant in mature sperm.
Sperm ncRNA profiles are sensitive to paternal lifestyle and environmental exposures.
Altered sperm ncRNA abundance can reprogram embryo development, leading to altered offspring phenotypes.

Conclusions:

Small RNAs in spermatozoa represent a significant epigenetic layer in development.
Sperm ncRNAs mediate transgenerational effects, linking paternal factors to offspring traits.
Further research into sperm ncRNAs is vital for understanding inheritance and development.