"Junk RNA" was ignored by Neo-Darwinism

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The article "Small RNAs, spermatogenesis, and male infertility: a decade of retrospect" reviews the roles of small non-coding RNAs (sncRNAs) in spermatogenesis and male infertility. SncRNAs are short RNA molecules that do not encode proteins, but they play important roles in gene regulation. The most well-studied sncRNAs in spermatogenesis are microRNAs (miRNAs), PIWI-interacting RNAs (piRNAs), small interfering RNAs (siRNAs), and transfer RNA-derived small RNAs (tsRNAs). They are a part of epigenetics.


MiRNAs are involved in all stages of spermatogenesis, from the maintenance of primordial germ cells to the maturation of sperm. They regulate the expression of genes involved in cell proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis. Dysregulation of miRNAs has been linked to a variety of male infertility disorders, including oligozoospermia (low sperm count), asthenozoospermia (low sperm motility), and teratozoospermia (abnormal sperm morphology).

PiRNAs are primarily involved in the silencing of transposable elements in the testis. Transposable elements are mobile pieces of DNA that can insert themselves into different parts of the genome and disrupt gene expression. PiRNAs help to protect the male germline from the harmful effects of transposable elements. Dysregulation of piRNAs has been linked to azoospermia (absence of sperm in the ejaculate).

SiRNAs are involved in the silencing of specific genes in the testis. They are thought to play a role in the regulation of gene expression during meiosis and spermiogenesis. Dysregulation of siRNAs has been linked to male infertility disorders such as oligozoospermia and asthenozoospermia.

TsRNAs are derived from transfer RNAs, which are molecules that play a role in protein translation. TsRNAs have been shown to have a variety of regulatory functions in spermatogenesis, including regulating gene expression and sperm maturation. Dysregulation of tsRNAs has been linked to male infertility disorders such as oligozoospermia and teratozoospermia.

The article concludes by discussing the potential of small RNAs as biomarkers of sperm quality and fertility. Small RNAs are relatively stable and can be easily detected in semen samples. This makes them attractive candidates for the development of non-invasive diagnostic tests for male infertility.

Overall, the article provides a comprehensive overview of the roles of small RNAs in spermatogenesis and male infertility. It is clear that small RNAs play essential roles in the male reproductive system, and their dysregulation can lead to infertility. The development of small RNA-based biomarkers and therapeutics for male infertility is a promising area of research.

The articles concepts challenges neo darwinism in the following ways:

  • Small RNAs play a critical role in spermatogenesis, which is essential for male fertility. This suggests that small RNAs are not simply random mutations, but rather play a functional role in the organism. Neo Darwinism does not adequately explain the evolution of such complex and functional non-coding RNA molecules.

  • Small RNAs are involved in the regulation of many genes, including those involved in cell differentiation, proliferation, and apoptosis. This suggests that small RNAs play a role in the development and maintenance of complex organisms, which is not something that is easily explained by neo darwinism.

  • Dysregulation of small RNAs has been linked to a variety of diseases, including male infertility. This suggests that small RNAs are essential for normal development and function, and that mutations in small RNA genes can have serious consequences. Neo Darwinism does not adequately explain how such essential genes could have evolved through random mutations and natural selection.

Overall, the research on small RNAs suggests that they play a much more important role in biology than previously thought. This research challenges the neo darwinian view that evolution is driven solely by random mutations and natural selection.

Here are some specific examples from the article that challenge neo darwinism:

  • MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small RNAs that regulate gene expression by binding to messenger RNAs (mRNAs) and preventing them from being translated into proteins. miRNAs are involved in all aspects of spermatogenesis, from the maintenance of primordial germ cells to the maturation of spermatozoa.

  • PIWI-interacting RNAs (piRNAs) are another type of small RNA that is involved in spermatogenesis. piRNAs are thought to play a role in silencing transposable elements, which are sequences of DNA that can move around the genome and cause mutations.

  • Transfer RNA-derived small RNAs (tsRNAs) are small RNAs that are generated from transfer RNAs (tRNAs). tsRNAs have been shown to be involved in a variety of cellular processes, including spermatogenesis.

Dysregulation of any of these small RNAs can lead to male infertility. For example, mutations in miRNA genes have been linked to a variety of infertility disorders, including azoospermia (lack of sperm in the ejaculate) and oligoasthenoteratozoospermia (low sperm count, motility, or morphology).

The fact that small RNAs play such a critical role in spermatogenesis and fertility challenges the neo darwinian view of evolution. Neo Darwinism does not adequately explain how such complex and functional non-coding RNA molecules could have evolved through random mutations and natural selection.

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