Sperm-Specific MicroRNAs - Their Role and Function

Abstract

microRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding single-stranded molecules (containing about 22 nucleotides) that are widely found in many organisms, as varied as micro-organisms, plants, invertebrates and vertebrates. These miRNAs function in RNA silencing and post-transcriptional regulation of gene expression. miRNAs have been found to be involved in a number of biological and pathological processes, including sperm biology and infertility. This review will describe and discuss the role of miRNAs in terms of their role in sperm function, male infertility and gene regulation.