Beyond fertilisation: How the paternal environment influences future generations.
Janice L Bailey1, Mathieu Dalvai1, Maryse Lessard1
1Centre de Recherche en Reproduction, Développement et Santé Intergénérationnelle, Faculté des Sciences de l'Agriculture et de l'Alimentation, Université Laval, Québec G1V 0A6, Canada.
Animal Reproduction Science
|June 16, 2020
Summary
Environmental contaminants and nutrients impact male reproductive health and offspring development across generations. Paternal environmental exposure affects the epigenome, influencing agricultural productivity.
Area of Science:
- Environmental epigenetics
- Reproductive toxicology
- Developmental biology
Background:
- Paternal environmental exposures are understudied in offspring development.
- Societal concerns exist regarding chemical exposure health consequences.
- Understanding paternal lineage effects is crucial for health and agriculture.
Purpose of the Study:
- To test the hypothesis that environmental contaminants have lasting effects transmitted through the paternal lineage.
- To review research on the impact of toxicants and nutrients on the male phenotype and epigenome.
- To highlight transgenerational effects in subsequent generations.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing research on paternal environmental exposure.
- Analysis of impacts on male phenotype and epigenome.
- Examination of transgenerational epigenetic inheritance.
Main Results:
- Developmental exposure to environmental contaminants and nutrients alters the male epigenome.
- These alterations can lead to long-lasting effects in offspring.
- Paternal environmental factors influence reproductive health and productivity.
Conclusions:
- Paternal environmental exposures significantly impact offspring health and development.
- Epigenetic modifications are a key mechanism for transgenerational effects.
- Consideration of sire's environment is vital for animal andrology and agricultural productivity.
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