The differential microRNA profile between male and hermaphrodite gonads

microRNAs are a group of small RNAs that regulate target gene expression post transcriptionally. The roles of microRNAs in regulating sperm production and function have been implicated by previous studies. In clinical studies, samples from patient with defective sperm production or function have been shown to display a different microRNA expression profile. Disruption of microRNA biogenesis is shown to result in sperm production or function defects in previous studies. However, the roles of individual microRNAs are largely unknown. Here, we aim to identify microRNAs that are enriched in male germlines of C. elegans, and study their potential roles in regulating sperm production or function. Gonads were isolated from N2 wild-type adult males and hermaphrodites for sequencing. Sequencing data identified microRNAs that are expressed in the gonads and further comparison between male and hermaphrodite microRNA sequencing reads revealed male gonad-enriched microRNAs which may have potential roles in regulating sperm production and function.