Abstract
Assisted reproductive technologies such as artificial insemination have delivered significant benefits for farm animal reproduction. However, as with humans, assisted reproduction in livestock requires the manipulation of the gametes and preimplantation embryo. The significance of this ‘periconception’ period is that it represents the transition from parental genome regulation to that of the newly formed embryo. Environmental perturbations during these early developmental stages can result in persistent changes in embryonic gene expression, fetal organ development and ultimately the long-term health of the offspring. While associations between maternal health and offspring wellbeing are well-defined, the significance of paternal health for the quality of his semen and the post-conception development of his offspring have largely been overlooked. Human and animal model studies have identified sperm epigenetic status (DNA methylation levels, histone modifications and RNA profiles) and seminal plasma-mediated maternal uterine immunological, inflammatory and vascular responses as the two central mechanisms capable of linking paternal health and post-fertilisation development. However, there is a significant knowledge gap about the father’s contribution to the long-term health of his offspring, especially with regard to farm animals. Such insights are essential to ensure the safety of widely used assisted reproductive practices and to gain better understanding of the role of paternal health for the well-being of his offspring. In this article, we will outline the impact of male health on semen quality (both sperm and seminal plasma), reproductive fitness and post-fertilisation offspring development and explore the mechanisms underlying the paternal programming of offspring health in farm animals.
Highlights
The development of efficient assisted reproductive technologies (ART) such as artificial insemination in cattle has increased the genetic gain in livestock dramatically (Pellegrino et al, 2016)
The success and benefits of practices such as artificial insemination have stemmed from the fact that they can yield pregnancy rates similar to that of natural conception (Buckley et al, 2003) without the need for a male to be maintained on the farm or breeding facility
While the application of such technologies has enhanced our capacity to treat human infertility and make agricultural practices more efficient, we must be mindful of the potential implications for offspring health
Summary
The development of efficient assisted reproductive technologies (ART) such as artificial insemination in cattle has increased the genetic gain in livestock dramatically (Pellegrino et al, 2016). As in many other mammalian species, questions over potential long-term effects on the health of the developing fetus and offspring following ART in farm animals (gamete manipulation, IVF, ICSI, embryo culture/transfer), have been raised. Routine ART practices in humans (IVF, ICSI, embryo culture/transfer) have been associated with both increased and decreased patterns of fetal growth and altered cardiovascular and metabolic health in the children (Roseboom, 2018) In both farm animals and humans, altered expression of key growth-regulatory imprinted genes has been identified as one mechanism underlying these phenotypic changes (DeAngelis et al, 2018). These observations highlight the sensitivity of the periconception period to sub-optimal environmental conditions, either in vitro (e.g. embryo culture media composition) or in vivo (parental diet). We will outline the long-term effects of poor paternal health on offspring well-being
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
