Functional RNAs in Stallion Sperm: Potential Indicators of Sperm Quality and Contributors to Fertility

The fertility of stallions is important for successful reproduction. Current assays of semen are useful predictors of sperm quality and stallion fertility. To complement those, novel molecular assays, such as of sperm RNAs, are being developed. Sperm not only deliver genomic DNA but also RNA to the oocyte. Sperm contain several types of RNAs including messenger RNAs (mRNAs) that encode proteins, long non-coding RNAs of undetermined functions, and microRNAs that regulate the expression of most genes.

Source: Journal of Equine Veterinary Science - June 23, 2018 Category: Veterinary Research Authors: N.H. Ing, K. Konganti, N. Ghaffari, C.D. Johnson, D.W. Forrest, C.C. Love, D.D. Varner Source Type: research