Ex situ reared black-footed ferrets exhibit altered sperm DNA methylation

Alexandra L DeCandia1,2, Stavi R Tennenbaum3, Rachel Santymire4,5

  • 1Department of Biology, Georgetown University, Washington, DC, USA.

The Journal of Heredity
|August 23, 2025
PubMed
Summary

Environmental conditions may alter sperm DNA methylation in ex situ black-footed ferrets (Mustela nigripes), potentially causing reduced reproductive fitness. This epigenetic change is linked to conservation challenges for endangered species.

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