![\"Dads](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/dads-influence-embryo.jpg\" "\\"Fathers")
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Fathers shape embryonic development through molecular \u2018signatures\u2019. Credits: Daniela Velasco\/EMBL<\/p>\n
Over the past few decades, growing evidence has challenged the belief that inheritance is governed solely by DNA sequences. Scientists now recognize the crucial role of epigenetic inheritance\u2014the transmission of biological traits via chemical modifications to DNA and its associated proteins. These modifications do not alter the genetic code itself but influence how genes are switched on or off, often in response to environmental factors such as stress, diet, or drug exposure.<\/p>\n
While the concept of maternal epigenetic inheritance<\/a> is relatively intuitive\u2014given the direct biological connection between mother and embryo during gestation\u2014recent research shows that fathers, too, can transmit environmentally induced epigenetic changes to their offspring. However, the prevalence of epigenetic inheritance\u2014and the mechanisms behind it\u2014remains unclear.<\/p>\n At EMBL Rome, a dedicated strand of research focuses on epigenetic inheritance<\/a>, drawing on expertise in designing environmental exposure models, and supported by a specialized research infrastructure for genomic editing. In particular, the Boskovic and Hackett groups are exploring how paternal environmental perturbations can trigger epigenetic changes<\/a> that ultimately affect the health of the next generation.<\/p>\n In a recent study, the Hackett group demonstrated that disrupting the gut microbiome of male mice increases disease risk in their future offspring<\/a>. On the other hand, the Boskovic group has focused on mechanisms that regulate embryonic development in response to changes in paternal diet.<\/p>\n A collaborative study between the two groups, now published<\/a> in The EMBO Journal, examined how specific paternal environments affect early embryonic development<\/a> in a systematic manner and under tightly controlled genetic and environmental conditions in mice.<\/p>\n To induce environmental perturbations, prospective fathers were exposed to either non-absorbable antibiotics (disrupting the gut microbiota<\/a>) or to a low-protein, high-sugar diet. To minimize experimental variability, the analyses were performed on embryos resulting from in vitro fertilization (IVF). Embryos were collected approximately four days after fertilization (blastocyst stage) and individually analyzed to measure differences in gene expression compared to controls (blastocysts that resulted from fathers without any treatment).<\/p>\n The results were striking. Both environmental perturbations led to significant changes in embryonic gene expression. Disruption of the paternal gut microbiota reduced the expression of key genes involved in extra-embryonic tissue development, while changes in the diet were linked with a modest developmental delay.<\/p>\n To further investigate the influence of the genetic background, scientists repeated the experiments using a different mouse strain. The outcome differed, suggesting the importance of the genetic component in shaping how environmental exposures affect offspring.<\/p>\n Additionally, embryos derived from older fathers showed a stronger effect on gene expression<\/a>, especially on genes involved in immune-related processes, indicating that paternal age is another important factor involved in epigenetic inheritance.<\/p>\n “We have demonstrated that large-scale experiments are essential to untangle how specific environmental factors<\/a> contribute to epigenetic inheritance across different genetic backgrounds,” said Ana Boskovic. “Our tightly controlled experimental design<\/a> can serve as a template for future intergenerational studies.”<\/p>\n “Our study represents a step toward understanding the mechanism of epigenetic inheritance, particularly through the paternal line,” said Jamie Hackett. “We plan to apply additional tools to investigate early changes in offspring in response to paternal environments, with the hope of paving the way for new strategies in disease prevention.”<\/p>\n This project was carried out in the framework of the Human Ecosystems Transversal Theme\u2014a research area defined by the current EMBL Scientific Programme\u2014which seeks to understand the impact of the environment on human disease risk.<\/p>\n More information: \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tProvided by \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/p>\n \n Citation: \n This document is subject to copyright. Apart from any fair dealing for the purpose of private study or research, no
\n Mathilde Dura et al, Embryonic signatures of intergenerational epigenetic inheritance across paternal environments and genetic backgrounds, The EMBO Journal (2025). DOI: 10.1038\/s44318-025-00556-4<\/a><\/p>\n
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tEuropean Molecular Biology Laboratory<\/a>
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\n Dads influence embryo growth via molecular signatures, research reveals (2025, September 30)
\n retrieved 1 October 2025
\n from https:\/\/medicalxpress.com\/news\/2025-09-dads-embryo-growth-molecular-signatures.html\n <\/p>\n
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