Department of Urology, Pediatric Urology and Andrology, Section Molecular Andrology, Justus-Liebig-University, Schubertstraße 81, 35392 Giessen, Germany.
Nat Rev Urol. 2016 Oct;13(10):584-95. doi: 10.1038/nrurol.2016.157. Epub 2016 Aug 31.
Epigenetic inheritance and its underlying molecular mechanisms are among the most intriguing areas of current biological and medical research. To date, studies have shown that both female and male germline development follow distinct paths of epigenetic events and both oocyte and sperm possess their own unique epigenomes. Fertilizing male and female germ cells deliver not only their haploid genomes but also their epigenomes, which contain the code for preimplantation and postimplantation reprogramming and embryonal development. For example, in spermatozoa, DNA methylation profile, DNA-associated proteins, protamine 1:protamine 2 ratio, nucleosome distribution pattern, histone modifications and other properties make up a unique epigenetic landscape. However, epigenetic factors and mechanisms possess certain plasticity and are affected by environmental conditions. Paternal and maternal lifestyle, including physical activity, nutrition and exposure to hazardous substances, can alter the epigenome and, moreover, can affect the health of their children. In male reproductive health, data are emerging on epigenetically mediated effects of a man's diet on sperm quality, for example through phytochemicals, minerals and vitamins, and nutritional support for subfertile men is already being used. In addition, studies in animal models and human epidemiological data point toward a transgenerational effect of the paternally contributed sperm epigenome on offspring health.
表观遗传遗传及其潜在的分子机制是当前生物学和医学研究中最引人关注的领域之一。迄今为止，研究表明，雌性和雄性生殖细胞的发育都遵循不同的表观遗传事件途径，卵子和精子都具有自己独特的表观基因组。受精的雌性和雄性生殖细胞不仅传递其单倍体基因组，还传递其表观基因组，其中包含着床前和着床后重编程以及胚胎发育的密码。例如，在精子中，DNA 甲基化图谱、与 DNA 相关的蛋白质、鱼精蛋白 1:鱼精蛋白 2 比、核小体分布模式、组蛋白修饰和其他特性构成了独特的表观遗传景观。然而，表观遗传因素和机制具有一定的可塑性，并受环境条件的影响。父本和母本的生活方式，包括体育活动、营养和接触有害物质，都可以改变表观基因组，而且还会影响他们孩子的健康。在男性生殖健康方面，越来越多的数据表明，男性饮食中的表观遗传介导作用会影响精子质量，例如通过植物化学物质、矿物质和维生素，并且已经在为生育能力低下的男性提供营养支持。此外，动物模型研究和人类流行病学数据表明，父本精子表观基因组对后代健康具有跨代效应。
