Figure 3. Increasing or decreasing miR-8-3p levels in testes, as well as reduction of bmfrn expression in the testis result in reduced reproductive capabilities due to reduced sperm production and viability.

Newly eclosed male flies, maintained for 1, 3, 7 or 12 days on indicated treatments were used to determine (A) reproductive capacity, (B) sperm counts and (C) sperm viability. (A) Single males were mated with three females, eggs were collected and the percentage of larvae eclosed from the eggs was determined. Data represent the mean + /− SD from 20 males per treatment. (B) Spermatozoa from the seminal vesicles of individual males were counted. Data represent mean + /− SEM from 30 males per treatment. (C) Average percentage of live sperms per male was determined for seminal vesicles of 20 males per treatment. The effect of treatments was analyzed using generalized linear models with a binomial error distribution and a logit-link function ***indicates P < 0.0001.