Abstract: Long non-coding RNAs （ｌｎｃＲＮＡｓ） are a group of RNA transcripts with longer than 200 nucleotides and without protein-coding capacity. Recently, it was revealed that the lncRNAs could be involved in the regulation of gene expression at the transcriptional, post-transcriptional and epigenetic levels, and chromatin remodeling. In this review, we summarized the classification of lncRNAs and three major mechanisms including decoys, guides and scaffolds. More and more lncRNAs related to spermatogenesis have been identificated by the next generation sequencing and microarray. The roles and potential mechanisms of lncRNAs in the proliferation, differentiation and maturation of germ cells were introduced, including those lncRNAs as Mrhl, Tsx, HongrES2, Dmr, Tbca16 and NLC1-C. Finally, the study strategy of lncRNAs was discussed.

Key words: Long non-coding RNAs, Spermatogenesis, Germ cells, Epigenetics, Genetics