Paternal obesity induces epigenetic aberrations and gene expression changes in placenta and fetus.

Paternal epigenome regulates placental and fetal growth. However, the effect of paternal obesity on placenta and its subsequent effect on the fetus via sperm remains unknown. We previously discovered abnormal methylation of imprinted genes involved in placental and fetal development in the spermatozoa of obese rats.

Diet-induced- and genetic-obesity differentially alters male germline histones.

Obesity, an established risk factor for male subfertility or infertility, is primarily due to genetic and environmental causes. Our earlier studies have shown differential effects of high-fat diet-induced- (DIO) and genetically inherited- (GIO) obesity on DNA methylation in male germline and its subsequent effect on fertility. Here, we hypothesized that the effects of DIO and GIO on histone modifications in male germline could also contribute to fertility defects.

High fat diet-induced- and genetically inherited- obesity differential alters DNA demethylation pathways in the germline of adult male rats.

Obesity is a multifactorial condition with predominantly genetic and environmental causes and is an emerging risk factor for male infertility/subfertility. Epigenetic mechanisms are vulnerable to genetic and environmental changes. Our earlier studies have shown differential effects of genetically inherited (GIO) - and diet-induced- obesity (DIO) on DNA methylation in male germline.