Related Experiment Video

Updated: Apr 17, 2026

Fertility Preservation Through Oocyte Vitrification: Clinical and Laboratory Perspectives
08:46

Fertility Preservation Through Oocyte Vitrification: Clinical and Laboratory Perspectives

Published on: September 16, 2021

6.9K

Direct but no transgenerational effects of decitabine and vorinostat on male fertility

Ruth Kläver1, Victoria Sánchez1, Oliver S Damm1

  • 1Institute of Reproductive and Regenerative Biology, Centre of Reproductive Medicine and Andrology, University of Münster, Münster, Germany.

Plos One
|February 19, 2015
PubMed

Insights

Epigenetic drugs like decitabine and vorinostat may impact male fertility and cause transgenerational effects. Studies show these drugs do not significantly affect male fertility or cause major inherited changes in mice.

Area of Science:

  • Epigenetics
  • Toxicology
  • Reproductive Biology

Background:

  • Epigenetic drugs are used in cancer therapy by altering the epigenome.
  • Potential off-target effects on essential physiological pathways, like male fertility, are a concern.
  • Epigenetic patterns are crucial for male germline development and function.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the direct effects of decitabine and vorinostat on the male germline and fertility.
  • To assess potential transgenerational epigenetic effects on subsequent generations (F1-F3).

Main Methods:

  • Adult male C57Bl/6 mice were treated with decitabine or vorinostat.
  • Evaluated reproductive parameters, sperm quality, DNA methylation, and fertility across generations.
  • Analyzed testis and epididymis weight, accessory sex gland size, seminiferous epithelium height, sperm concentration, and morphology.

Main Results:

  • Direct drug treatment affected some reproductive parameters (testis/epididymis weight, sperm concentration/morphology).
  • Decitabine altered DNA methylation in sperm post-treatment.
  • No significant impact on fertility (fertilization, litter size, sex ratio) was observed in treated mice or subsequent generations.
  • Subtle changes in reproductive organs and sperm parameters were noted in F1-F3 generations but did not affect overall fertility.

Conclusions:

  • Decitabine and vorinostat do not appear to significantly impair male fertility in mice.
  • These epigenetic drugs did not induce major transgenerational epigenetic effects on male fertility.
  • The findings suggest limited adverse effects on male reproductive health and inheritance when using these drugs in anti-cancer therapies.

More Related Videos

Mouse Round Spermatid Injection08:41

Mouse Round Spermatid Injection

Published on: January 26, 2024

1.7K

Related Concept Videos

Infertility in Males01:23

Infertility in Males

Male infertility affects millions of couples worldwide, arising from various factors that impact different stages of the reproductive process. An endocrine imbalance resulting from conditions like hypogonadism, Klinefelter syndrome, or pituitary disorders can disrupt hormone levels and reduce sperm production. Testicular defects, such as tumors, cryptorchidism, atrophic testes, abnormal sperm morphology, and low sperm count or motility, may arise due to genetic factors, structural...
710
Infertility in Females01:28

Infertility in Females

Female infertility is defined as the inability to conceive after a year of regular, unprotected intercourse and affects about 10–15% of couples worldwide. The primary cause of female infertility is ovulatory disorders, which hinder the release of eggs. These disorders can be classified as hypothalamic amenorrhea, polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), premature ovarian failure, and hyperprolactinemic anovulation disorders.
Endometriosis, a condition characterized by abnormal growth of...
5.1K
Teratogenicity01:07

Teratogenicity

The ability of a drug to produce structural deformations and functional abnormalities in the developing embryo or the fetus is called teratogenicity, and the drug producing this effect is known as a teratogen. Teratogenic effects include stillbirth, miscarriage, intrauterine growth restriction, and neurocognitive delay. A teratogen may affect the embryo at different stages of development, which is important in determining the type and extent of the damage. During blastocyst formation, the early...
4.6K
In Vitro Fertilization01:24

In Vitro Fertilization

In vitro fertilization (IVF) is a form of assisted reproductive technology where an egg is fertilized with sperm in a controlled laboratory environment before transferring the resulting embryo into the uterus. This process is designed to help individuals and couples experiencing difficulties conceiving.
The IVF process begins with ovarian stimulation, during which reproductive endocrinologists prescribe hormonal medications to stimulate the ovaries to produce multiple eggs instead of the single...
1.5K
Spermatogenesis01:41

Spermatogenesis

Spermatogenesis is the process by which haploid sperm cells are produced in the male testes. It starts with stem cells located close to the outer rim of seminiferous tubules. These spermatogonial stem cells divide asymmetrically to give rise to additional stem cells (meaning that these structures “self-renew”), as well as sperm progenitors, called spermatocytes. Importantly, this method of asymmetric mitotic division maintains a population of spermatogonial stem cells in the male...
125.0K
Drugs that Destabilize Microtubules01:10

Drugs that Destabilize Microtubules

Microtubules are dynamic structures and can be regulated by microtubule targeting agents (MTAs). Microtubule destabilizing drugs are a class of MTAs that destabilize and prevent microtubules' polymerization. Both natural and synthetic chemicals can be found under this class of drugs. Vincristine and vinblastine, two vinca alkaloids, and colchicine were among the first to be discovered. These drugs can affect cells in various ways, either by inducing a change in cell morphology, preventing...
4.4K