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Review
. 2017;3(4):288-296.
doi: 10.1007/s40610-017-0083-5. Epub 2017 Nov 9.

Male Obesity: Epigenetic Origin and Effects in Sperm and Offspring

Sam Houfflyn  1 , Christophe Matthys  2 , Adelheid Soubry  1
Affiliations
Review

Male Obesity: Epigenetic Origin and Effects in Sperm and Offspring

Sam Houfflyn et al. Curr Mol Biol Rep. 2017.

Erratum in

Abstract

Purpose of review: The prevalence of obesity has increased substantially in the current generations of Western countries, and the burden of obesity-related complications has been growing steadily. In men, obesity is not only a major risk factor for serious chronic diseases, concern is growing that the reproductive capacity, and more particularly, their offspring's health may be affected. Obesity-related impaired spermatogenesis is associated with a decrease in microscopic and molecular sperm characteristics and pregnancy success. We hypothesize that epigenetics is an important mediator explaining interactions between an obesogenic environment and sperm/offspring outcomes.

Recent findings: Recent studies have explored inter- and transgenerational epigenetic effects in sperm cells and in offspring. Father-to-child effects have been reported in relation to preconceptional nutritional and life-style related factors.

Summary: Here, we summarize the current understanding about obesity and molecular or epigenetic underlying mechanisms in sperm. We identify the obesogenic environment of the father before conception as a potential origin of health or disease in the offspring and include it as part of a new concept, the Paternal Origins of Health and Disease (POHaD).

Keywords: Environment; Epigenetics; Fathers; Male fertility; Obesity; Offspring health; Sperm.

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Conflict of interest statement

Compliance with Ethical StandardsSam Houfflyn, Christophe Matthys, and Adelheid Soubry declare no potential conflicts of interest.This article contains no studies with human or animal subjects performed by any of the authors.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Hypothetical overview of obesity-related associations with sperm characteristics and the role of the epigenome. Obesity is a result of several environmental exposures, summarized as the obesogenic environment. The fundamental cause of obesity or excessive body fat can be found in an imbalance between consumed and expended energy. Although this is a simple concept, the metabolic system balancing energy intake and expenditure is complex and is not fully understood. Epigenetic mechanisms play a role in this regulatory system, and the epigenome itself is susceptible to environmental factors as well. Obesity causes sperm aberrancies at the level of chromatin, DNA, ROS, epigenetic factors, morphology, and other clinical characteristics. The mechanisms of interaction between these molecular and physical features of sperm are largely unknown. Some associations have been reported (arrows). But, it is unclear if clinical sperm characteristics are affected by epigenetic changes (dashed arrow). The acquired sperm aberrancies can ultimately result in fertility problems or disorders in the offspring. The next question rises if this epigenetic “message” will be retained in future generations
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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