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The Sperm Epigenome and Potential Implications for the Developing Embryo

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Genetics of Male Infertility

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Abstract

The sperm epigenome is largely set in spermatogonia, with subsequent refinements made throughout spermatogenesis. The resulting sperm epigenome contributes to a uniquely bivalent “poised” epigenome, which has been shown in animal and human studies to suggest a role in early gene expression in the early embryo. Additionally, the sperm epigenome delivers a unique set of small RNA molecules, including miRNAs and tRNA fragments believed to be involved in embryogenesis and inheritance of environmentally modified traits. The clinical ramifications of the sperm epigenome are profound in regard to potential causes of infertility and health of the offspring. Future studies are aimed at better understanding the mechanisms of epigenetically derived effects on the embryo, especially considering the profound remodeling to the sperm epigenome that is initiated at the pronuclear stage of development. Additionally, a better understanding of the effects of environmental insults to the sperm epigenome will aid in decreasing risk to the health of offspring.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Surgery, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA

    Emma Rae James & Timothy G. Jenkins

  2. Departments of Surgery (Andrology) and Human Genetics, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT, USA

    Douglas T. Carrell

Authors
  1. Emma Rae James
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  2. Timothy G. Jenkins
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  3. Douglas T. Carrell
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Douglas T. Carrell .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Urology, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar

    Mohamed Arafa

  2. Department of Urology, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar

    Haitham Elbardisi

  3. Department of Urology, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar

    Ahmad Majzoub

  4. Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA

    Ashok Agarwal

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James, E.R., Jenkins, T.G., Carrell, D.T. (2020). The Sperm Epigenome and Potential Implications for the Developing Embryo. In: Arafa, M., Elbardisi, H., Majzoub, A., Agarwal, A. (eds) Genetics of Male Infertility. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-37972-8_10

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-37972-8_10

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  • Online ISBN: 978-3-030-37972-8

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