Sperm Epigenetics and Its Impact on Male Fertility, Pregnancy Loss, and Somatic Health of Future Offsprings

Yetunde Ibrahim; Jim Hotaling

doi:10.1055/s-0038-1677047

Seminars in Reproductive Medicine, Inhaltsverzeichnis

Semin Reprod Med 2018; 36(03/04): 233-239
DOI: 10.1055/s-0038-1677047

Review Article

Thieme Medical Publishers 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA.

Sperm Epigenetics and Its Impact on Male Fertility, Pregnancy Loss, and Somatic Health of Future Offsprings

Yetunde Ibrahim

¹Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Utah Center for Reproductive Medicine, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, Utah

,

Jim Hotaling

¹Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Utah Center for Reproductive Medicine, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, Utah

²Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, Utah

› Institutsangaben

Abstract

Sperm epigenetic programming is tailored to meet the need of this specialized cell, which include its interaction with the oocyte during fertilization and early embryo development. The unique nature of the sperm epigenome has resulted in multiple studies investigating how perturbations in epigenetics might impact male fertility and early embryo development. In addition, sperm epigenetics appear to be altered by specific environmental exposures, which could provide a link for investigating the role of these triggers in somatic health of off springs produced. This has the potential of explaining otherwise missing heritability factors seen with several diseases. While this field of investigation is new and with limited validation, it is intriguing and further studies are warranted.

Keywords

epigenetics - male infertility - pregnancy loss - transgenerational effects - somatic health

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