miRNA function in mammal gonad development

MicroRNA (miRNA), a class of endogenous noncoding RNAs, plays a role in regulation of the body’s physiological function by affecting target gene expression. miRNAs can regulate the development of gonads (testicles and ovaries), promote maturation and differentiation of sperm and oocytes, and affect the growth of oosperm. miRNAs can be used as an important index in diagnosis of ovarian cancer. This paper summarizes miRNAs’ biogenesis and its regulation in mammal gonadal development and the progress of ovarian cancer; research has mainly focused on these functions in vivo. The regulation mechanisms and signalling pathways of miRNAs in gonadal development of mammals and ovarian cancer is revealed through molecules, systems, and other aspects of biology through molecular biology and bioinformatics. We provide new thoughts and approaches for reproductive disease research and high-quality animal breeding.