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Multifaceted paternal exposures before conception and their epigenetic impact on offspring

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Abstract

As scientific research progresses, there is an increasing understanding of the importance of paternal epigenetics in influencing the health and developmental path of offspring. Prior to conception, the environmental exposures and lifestyle choices of fathers can significantly influence the epigenetic state of sperm, including DNA methylation and histone changes, among other factors. These alterations in epigenetic patterns have the potential for transgenerational transmission potential and may exert profound effects on the biological characteristics of descendants. Paternal epigenetic changes not only affect the regulation of gene expression patterns in offspring but also increase the risk to certain diseases. It is crucial to comprehend the conditions that fathers are exposed to before conception and the potential outcomes of these conditions. This understanding is essential for assessing personal reproductive decisions and anticipating health risks for future generations. This review article systematically summarizes and analyzes current research findings regarding how paternal pre-pregnancy exposures influence offspring as well as elucidates underlying mechanisms, aiming to provide a comprehensive perspective for an enhanced understanding of the impact that paternal factors have on offspring health.

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  1. Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, Fujian, China

    Xiaojing Wu

  2. The Second People’s Hospital Affiliated to Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, Fujian, China

    Weiping Zhang, Huijun Chen & Jianfei Weng

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Conceptualization, H.C. and J.W.; writing—original draft preparation, X.W. and W.Z.; writing—review and editing, X.W. and J.W. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.

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Wu, X., Zhang, W., Chen, H. et al. Multifaceted paternal exposures before conception and their epigenetic impact on offspring. J Assist Reprod Genet 41, 2931–2951 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10815-024-03243-1

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