# Investigating a novel role of ejaculate RNA in fertility

> **NIH NIH R01** · UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA · 2024 · $681,292

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY
The male ejaculate of internally fertilizing organisms is a diverse mixture of components including sperm and
numerous other macromolecules that are transferred to females during mating. Research on male contributions
to fertility has mainly focused on sperm, and, more recently on proteins present in the seminal fluid. While these
studies have greatly advanced our understanding of postcopulatory interactions, the relatively high incidence of
idiopathic infertility suggests that investigation of understudied molecules in the ejaculate may yield novel insights
into novel factors mediating reproductive outcomes. We previously discovered the transfer of RNA from males
to females during copulation in Drosophila arizonae. In this proposal, we provide evidence gathered with funding
from our recent R21 award demonstrating translation of male RNA transcripts within cells of the D. arizonae
female reproductive tract. Building off this work, the goals of the proposed research are to establish functional
effects of seminal fluid RNAs on the female postmating response (Aim 1), investigate how they function in
females (Aim 2), and identify the source and mechanisms by which they are packaged in males (Aim 3). We
capitalize on unique aspects of our D. arizonae/D. mojavensis study system that combine to make a genetically
tractable, manipulative experimental system that is particularly well suited to investigate the function of male
RNA within the female reproductive tract. With this powerful system we combine proteomic analyses using our
recently developed Variant Assisted SILAC Proteomic Analysis (VASPA) approach with detailed investigations
of individual mdFTPs (male-derived female translated proteins). Given that RNA appears to be a conserved
feature of male ejaculates, we expect our findings will have broad significance for better understanding
postcopulatory interactions across a range of species, including humans.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10910159
- **Project number:** 5R01HD112461-02
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA
- **Principal Investigator:** Jeremy Matthew Bono
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $681,292
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2023-08-18 → 2027-05-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10910159

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10910159, Investigating a novel role of ejaculate RNA in fertility (5R01HD112461-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10910159. Licensed CC0.

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