Abstract
ObjectiveTo investigate if epigenome of sperm cells could be dynamically affected by nutrition.Design and MethodsWe assessed 40 healthy volunteers with different dietary habits and collected their demographic characteristics, as well as clinical and anthropometric parameters. We compared methylation profiles in sperm quantified by bisulfite pyrosequencing, at promoter-associated CpG sites of genes involved in metabolism including fat mass and obesity-associated (FTO) and melanocortin-4 receptor (MC4R) from six vegans and 34 omnivores. In addition, the FTO rs9939609 (T>A) was genotyped.ResultsHigher DNA methylation levels were detected in the sperm of vegan at FTO gene CpG1 (p=0.02), CpG2 (p=0.001), CpG3 (p=0.004), and CpG4 (p=0.003) sites and at MC4R-CpG2 site [p=0.016] as compared to sperm of omnivores. This association was not related to FTO genotype.ConclusionsAlthough limited by the small number of investigated cases, our data provide insight into the role of diet on sperm DNA methylation in genes involved in metabolism.
Highlights
Epigenetic modifications, including DNA methylation, histone marks and small non-coding RNAs, are stable and mitotically heritable changes that modulate normal and disease-related phenotypic differences
Dietary habits can result in epigenetic modifications by acting directly on metabolism genes to up- or downregulate pathways involved in the bioavailability of nutrients [1]
In order to fill this gap, in the present study we investigated the effects of vegan diet as compared to omnivore diet on DNA methylation profiles in sperm at promoter-associated CpG sites of genes involved in metabolism, namely fat mass and obesity-associated (FTO) and melanocortin-4 receptor (MC4R)
Summary
Epigenetic modifications, including DNA methylation, histone marks and small non-coding RNAs, are stable and mitotically heritable changes that modulate normal and disease-related phenotypic differences. Among environmental factors able to induce epigenetic modifications, a key role is played by diet. Dietary habits can result in epigenetic modifications by acting directly on metabolism genes to up- or downregulate pathways involved in the bioavailability of nutrients [1]. It has been suggested that nutrition induced epigenetic modifications of gene expression can influence metabolism and susceptibility to non-communicable diseases (NCDs) [2,3,4]. The possible role of diet in improving the quality of human sperm is becoming widely explored in the context of male infertility focusing on sperm epigenetic modifications [11]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
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.
