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Systemic hormonal modulation induces sperm nucleosomal imbalance in rat spermatozoa
Mandar Ankolkar1, Sharvari S Deshpande1, Nafisa H Balasinor1
1Department of Neuroendocrinology, National Institute for Research in Reproductive Health (ICMR), Mumbai, India.
Andrologia
|June 20, 2018
Summary
Endocrine disruptors alter sperm nucleosome occupancy, potentially impacting early embryogenesis. This study reveals how environmental factors can affect male epigenetic factors and embryo development.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive Biology
- Epigenetics
- Spermatozoa Research
Background:
- Sperm chromatin is primarily packaged by protamines, but some nucleosomes are retained.
- Retained nucleosomes may play a role in early embryonic gene expression.
- Endocrine disruptors are known to affect reproductive outcomes and sperm DNA methylation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate changes in sperm nucleosome occupancy induced by endocrine disruptors.
- To assess the impact of tamoxifen and cyproterone acetate on the sperm chromatin landscape.
- To identify genomic regions affected by endocrine disruption and their relevance to embryogenesis.
Main Methods:
- Utilized next-generation sequencing (MNase-Seq) to analyze sperm chromatin.
- Examined nucleosome occupancy changes in spermatozoa exposed to endocrine disruptors.
- Identified specific genomic regions with altered nucleosome occupancy.
Main Results:
- Demonstrated that endocrine disruption significantly affects nucleosome occupancy in sperm chromatin.
- Identified critical genomic regions with altered nucleosome occupancy, many containing genes crucial for embryogenesis.
- Showcased the link between environmental factors, male epigenetic modifications, and embryo development.
Conclusions:
- Environmental factors can modulate male epigenetic factors, influencing embryo development.
- Endocrine disruptors alter the sperm nucleosome landscape, with potential implications for reproductive success.
- Sperm nucleosome occupancy is a sensitive marker for environmental impacts on male fertility and early development.
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