Epigenetics: Fathers' lifestyle influences the health of their offspring
Researchers in Munich have demonstrated a link between the diet of expectant fathers and the long-term health of their children.
Baby feet in one hand.
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It is already known that male fertility has been declining more sharply in recent decades immer. There are contradictory theories about the possible reasons for this - from hormones and hormone-active substances in the environment über radiation effects from technology such as cell phones to diet.
Data from study on diseases of civilization
It is the latter that a group of researchers from the Helmholtz Institute in Munich (Helmholtz Munich) and the German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD) in Oberschleissheim have now looked at - not because of its effect on fertility, but with regard to the health of the children of expectant fathers. The study showed that the fathers' diet can apparently have a direct influence on the later health of their offspring.
The team led by Raffaele Teperino, head of the "Environmental Epigenetics" research group at Helmholtz Munich, was able to draw on data from the LIFE-Child experiment at the University of Leipzig, which aims to record the development of lifestyle diseases. It has been running for 13 years and has recorded the health of more than 4,500 children and adolescents as well as over 1,000 pregnant women. In addition to physical examinations and tests, questionnaires are also recorded and samples taken. Information from more than 3000 families from the Life-Child dataset was used for the Teperino study.
Passing on diseases
The study, which was published in Nature, focused on tiny RNA molecules in sperm called mitochondrial tRNA fragments (mt-tsRNAs). These molecules appear to play a key role in the transmission of health traits from one generation to the next by regulating gene expression.
The research results showed a correlation between the father's body weight and that of his offspring. It was found that paternal weight not only affects the weight of the children, but also influences their predisposition to metabolic diseases.
It is noteworthy that this influence was observed independently of other potentially influencing factors. Neither the weight of the mother, nor the genetic predisposition of the parents or environmental influences could explain this connection. These findings underline the importance of paternal health for the metabolic health of the offspring and point to a possibly underestimated aspect in the development of metabolic diseases.
Experiment on mice for confirmation
To verify the analysis, Teperino & Co. also carried out experiments on mice that were given a high-fat diet. This had an effect on the animals' reproductive organs, including the epididymis. This is where the fresh sperm mature. "Our study shows that sperm exposed to a high-fat diet in the epididymis of mice lead to offspring with an increased tendency to metabolic diseases," says Raffaele Teperino. "This is the first time we have observed such a molecular link across generations."
Martin Hrabe de Angelis, also from Helmholtz Munich and co-author of the study, adds that the hypothesis that traits acquired in the course of life, such as diabetes or obesity, could be passed on over generations by means of epigenetic mechanisms has been confirmed. "Epigenetics serves as a molecular interface between the environment and the genome, even across generations. This happens not only via the maternal line, but - as our research results show - also via the paternal line."
The researchers recommend thinking about the health of the fathers when planning to have children. It is advisable to develop programs, for example with regard to nutrition. "This can reduce the risk of diseases such as obesity and diabetes in children," says Teperino. In addition, it is already known that men who are overweight have more difficulty fathering children.
(bsc)
