Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Spermatogenesis01:41

Spermatogenesis

120.8K
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...
120.8K
Fertilization01:38

Fertilization

88.9K
During fertilization, an egg and sperm cell fuse to create a new diploid structure. In humans, the process occurs once the egg has been released from the ovary, and travels into the fallopian tubes. The process requires several key steps: 1) sperm present in the genital tract must locate the egg; 2) once there, sperm need to release enzymes to help them burrow through the protective zona pellucida of the egg; and 3) the membranes of a single sperm cell and egg must fuse, with the sperm...
88.9K
Background and Environment Affect Phenotype02:27

Background and Environment Affect Phenotype

7.3K
Although the genetic makeup of an organism plays a major role in determining the phenotype, there are also several environmental factors, such as temperature, oxygen availability, presence of mutagens, that can alter an organism’s phenotype.
An example of how genetic background affects phenotype can be seen in horses. The Extension gene in horses is responsible for their coat color. A wild-type gene (EE) produces black pigment in the coat, while a mutant gene (ee) produces red pigment. A...
7.3K
Gene-Environment Interactions01:20

Gene-Environment Interactions

1000
Gene expression is a dynamic process that is significantly influenced by environmental factors. This interaction underlies the complex nature of biological development and the phenotypic differences observed among individuals, even among those with identical genetic makeups. Factors such as radiation, temperature, behavior, nutrition, and stress play pivotal roles in determining how genes are expressed. The concept of the reaction range is central to understanding this interaction. It posits...
1000
Epigenetic Regulation01:37

Epigenetic Regulation

3.7K
Epigenetic changes alter the physical structure of the DNA without changing the genetic sequence and often regulate whether genes are turned on or off. This regulation ensures that each cell produces only proteins necessary for its function. For example, proteins that promote bone growth are not produced in muscle cells. Epigenetic mechanisms play an essential role in healthy development. Conversely, precisely regulated epigenetic mechanisms are disrupted in diseases like cancer.
X-chromosome...
3.7K
Epigenetic Regulation01:46

Epigenetic Regulation

33.3K
Epigenetic mechanisms play an essential role in healthy development. Conversely, precisely regulated epigenetic mechanisms are disrupted in diseases like cancer.
33.3K

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Sperm mitochondrial DNA copy number: a marker of male fertility and reproductive success.

Human reproduction update·2026
Same author

Associations Between Perceived Stress and Sperm DNA Methylation Among Men Attending a Fertility Center.

Andrology·2026
Same author

Molecular Basis of Sperm Methylome Response to Aging and Stress.

Biology·2026
Same author

Blood feeding triggers the terminal differentiation of precursor cells in tick salivary glands.

Science advances·2026
Same author

Heat exposure during susceptible windows of spermatogenesis and sperm epigenetic age.

Human reproduction (Oxford, England)·2026
Same author

Phthalate exposure to adult mice alters non-coding RNAs in cauda epididymosomes.

Environmental pollution (Barking, Essex : 1987)·2025
Same journal

The Case for Limiting the Number of Offspring per Gamete Donor: A Response to Pennings.

Andrology·2026
Same journal

Feminizing Therapy in People With Klinefelter Syndrome and Gender Incongruence: Considerations for Treatment Without Testosterone Blockers.

Andrology·2026
Same journal

Author Reply: Erectile Dysfunction, Anxiety, Perceived Stress, and Insomnia Are More Common Among Acquired Premature Ejaculation Patients in Contrast to Other Premature Ejaculation Syndromes.

Andrology·2026
Same journal

Clomiphene Citrate in off-Label Post-Cycle Therapy: Mechanisms, Efficacy and Diagnostic Challenges in Endocrine Recovery Following Anabolic Steroid Use.

Andrology·2026
Same journal

Machine Learning-Based Prediction of Sperm Retrieval Outcomes in Patients With Klinefelter Syndrome: A Multicenter Study With External Validation.

Andrology·2026
Same journal

Umbilical Cord Blood-Derived Extracellular Vesicles Enhance Neurovascular Regeneration and Improve Erectile Function in a Mouse Model of Bilateral Cavernous Nerve Injury.

Andrology·2026
See all related articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Dec 31, 2025

Stable Isotope In-Vivo Labeling for Mass-Spectrometry Identification of Paternal Metabolites Transferred from Sperm to Oocyte During Fertilization
05:55

Stable Isotope In-Vivo Labeling for Mass-Spectrometry Identification of Paternal Metabolites Transferred from Sperm to Oocyte During Fertilization

Published on: June 17, 2025

716

The preconception environment and sperm epigenetics.

Chelsea Marcho1, Oladele A Oluwayiose1, J Richard Pilsner1

  • 1Department of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health and Health Sciences, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, Massachusetts.

Andrology
|January 5, 2020
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Paternal preconception environmental exposures can alter sperm epigenetics, impacting reproductive and offspring health. Understanding these epigenetic changes is crucial for improving fertility and well-being.

Keywords:
DNA methylationenvironmental exposureepigeneticsfertilityhistonesnon-coding RNApreconceptionspermatozoa

More Related Videos

Flow Cytometric Analysis of Biomarkers for Detecting Human Sperm Functional Defects
08:48

Flow Cytometric Analysis of Biomarkers for Detecting Human Sperm Functional Defects

Published on: April 21, 2022

3.2K
Author Spotlight: Exploring the Long-Term Health Impacts of Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection on Offspring
06:11

Author Spotlight: Exploring the Long-Term Health Impacts of Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection on Offspring

Published on: May 17, 2024

989

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Dec 31, 2025

Stable Isotope In-Vivo Labeling for Mass-Spectrometry Identification of Paternal Metabolites Transferred from Sperm to Oocyte During Fertilization
05:55

Stable Isotope In-Vivo Labeling for Mass-Spectrometry Identification of Paternal Metabolites Transferred from Sperm to Oocyte During Fertilization

Published on: June 17, 2025

716
Flow Cytometric Analysis of Biomarkers for Detecting Human Sperm Functional Defects
08:48

Flow Cytometric Analysis of Biomarkers for Detecting Human Sperm Functional Defects

Published on: April 21, 2022

3.2K
Author Spotlight: Exploring the Long-Term Health Impacts of Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection on Offspring
06:11

Author Spotlight: Exploring the Long-Term Health Impacts of Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection on Offspring

Published on: May 17, 2024

989

Area of Science:

  • Reproductive biology
  • Epigenetics
  • Environmental health

Background:

  • Male factor infertility affects approximately 50% of infertility cases.
  • Sperm epigenetics, including DNA methylation and histone modifications, influences reproductive and offspring health.
  • Environmental conditions during the preconception period can shape sperm epigenetics.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review epigenetic modifications regulating gene expression during spermatogenesis.
  • To discuss epigenetic alterations in the paternal germline due to preconception exposures.
  • To highlight the impact of environmental factors on sperm epigenetics.

Main Methods:

  • Literature search of PubMed, Google Scholar, and ScienceDirect.
  • Focus on adult male preconception environmental exposures and sperm epigenetics.
  • Inclusion of epidemiologic studies and animal models.

Main Results:

  • The preconception period is a sensitive window for environmental influences.
  • Exposures like toxicants, nutrition, drugs, stress, and exercise affect sperm epigenetics.
  • Environmental factors can lead to lasting epigenetic changes in sperm.

Conclusions:

  • Understanding the sperm epigenome's environmental legacy is key to reproductive health.
  • This knowledge can improve reproductive success and offspring well-being.
  • Further research into environmental impacts on paternal epigenetics is warranted.