tsRNA sequencing

Nitric oxide (NO) is a free radical produced by nitric oxide synthase (NOS), and it plays a vital role in regulating the growth, differentiation, and apoptosis of male reproductive cells. However, NOS deficiency, in addition to affecting NO synthesis, may also affect offspring metabolism by altering sperm epigenome. As one of the small non-coding RNAs,tsRNAs have been found in recent years that can act as carriers for the intergenerational transmission of epigenetic information of environmental-induced changes. Does NOS inhibition affect spermatogenesis while also altering tsRNA epigenetic information? Our study found that NOS inhibition leads to decreased sperm density and altered testicular morphology, affecting the spermatogenesis process in male mice. At the same time, the tsRNA profile also changed. These altered tsRNAs can be passed on to the next generation with sperm and may affect the growth and development of the next generation. Our study provides evidence to enrich and further understand the pathophysiology of testicular reproduction and paternal epigenetic mechanisms.