biostudies-literatureUnknownBaptissart MIntramural NIH HHSChanges in the poly(A) tail length of <i>Odf1</i> and other transcripts critical for male fertility have been linked to translational activation during sperm formation ^1-3. The mRNA poly(A) polymerase TENT5C is required for fastening the flagellum to the sperm head, but its role in shaping the poly(A) tail profile of the spermatid transcriptome remains limited ^4,5. Here, we comprehensively document how changes in mRNA poly(A) tail length across the transcriptome reflect transcript metabolism in spermatids. In the absence of TENT5C polymerase activity, the poly(A) tail length of <i>Odf1</i> transcripts is reduced, and the local distribution of ODF1 proteins in spermatids is disrupted. We show that mice expressing a catalytically inactive TENT5C produce headless spermatbioRxiv : the preprint server for biology2025.03.20.644152https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC11974682biostudies-literatureTENT5C extends &lt;i&gt;Odf1&lt;/i&gt; poly(A) tail to sustain sperm morphogenesis and fertility.PMC11974682ZIA ES103339Gupta ABaptissart MPoirot ACMorgan MPapas BNfalseTENT5C extends &lt;i&gt;Odf1&lt;/i&gt; poly(A) tail to sustain sperm morphogenesis and fertility.Changes in the poly(A) tail length of <i>Odf1</i> and other transcripts critical for male fertility have been linked to translational activation during sperm formation ^1-3. The mRNA poly(A) polymerase TENT5C is required for fastening the flagellum to the sperm head, but its role in shaping the poly(A) tail profile of the spermatid transcriptome remains limited ^4,5. Here, we comprehensively document how changes in mRNA poly(A) tail length across the transcriptome reflect transcript metabolism in spermatids. In the absence of TENT5C polymerase activity, the poly(A) tail length of <i>Odf1</i> transcripts is reduced, and the local distribution of ODF1 proteins in spermatids is disrupted. We show that mice expressing a catalytically inactive TENT5C produce headless spermat2025-01-01T00:00:00Z2025 Mar2026-04-08T19:52:00.701Z2026-04-08T14:31:16.757ZS-EPMC119746824019662910.1101/2025.03.20.644152