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Chan SY, Wan CWT, Law TYS, Chan DYL, Fok EKL. The Sperm Small RNA Transcriptome: Implications beyond Reproductive Disorder. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232415716. [PMID: 36555356 PMCID: PMC9779749 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232415716] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2022] [Revised: 12/05/2022] [Accepted: 12/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Apart from the paternal half of the genetic material, the male gamete carries assorted epigenetic marks for optimal fertilization and the developmental trajectory for the early embryo. Recent works showed dynamic changes in small noncoding RNA (sncRNA) in spermatozoa as they transit through the testicular environment to the epididymal segments. Studies demonstrated the changes to be mediated by epididymosomes during the transit through the adluminal duct in the epididymis, and the changes in sperm sncRNA content stemmed from environmental insults significantly altering the early embryo development and predisposing the offspring to metabolic disorders. Here, we review the current knowledge on the establishment of the sperm sncRNA transcriptome and their role in male-factor infertility, evidence of altered offspring health in response to the paternal life experiences through sperm sncRNA species and, finally, their implications in assisted reproductive technology in terms of epigenetic inheritance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sze Yan Chan
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Crystal Wing Tung Wan
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Tin Yu Samuel Law
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - David Yiu Leung Chan
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
- Correspondence: (D.Y.L.C.); (E.K.L.F.)
| | - Ellis Kin Lam Fok
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
- The Chinese University of Hong Kong Joint Laboratory for Reproductive Medicine, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610017, China
- Correspondence: (D.Y.L.C.); (E.K.L.F.)
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Varela RB, Cararo JH, Tye SJ, Carvalho AF, Valvassori SS, Fries GR, Quevedo J. Contributions of epigenetic inheritance to the predisposition of major psychiatric disorders: theoretical framework, evidence, and implications. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2022; 135:104579. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2022.104579] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2021] [Revised: 01/10/2022] [Accepted: 02/11/2022] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
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Kretschmer M, Gapp K. Deciphering the RNA universe in sperm in its role as a vertical information carrier. ENVIRONMENTAL EPIGENETICS 2022; 8:dvac011. [PMID: 35633894 PMCID: PMC9134061 DOI: 10.1093/eep/dvac011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2021] [Revised: 03/11/2022] [Accepted: 04/13/2022] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
The inheritance of neurophysiologic and neuropsychologic complex diseases can only partly be explained by the Mendelian concept of genetic inheritance. Previous research showed that both psychological disorders like post-traumatic stress disorder and metabolic diseases are more prevalent in the progeny of affected parents. This could suggest an epigenetic mode of transmission. Human studies give first insight into the scope of intergenerational influence of stressors but are limited in exploring the underlying mechanisms. Animal models have elucidated the mechanistic underpinnings of epigenetic transmission. In this review, we summarize progress on the mechanisms of paternal intergenerational transmission by means of sperm RNA in mouse models. We discuss relevant details for the modelling of RNA-mediated transmission, point towards currently unanswered questions and propose experimental considerations for tackling these questions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miriam Kretschmer
- Department of Health Sciences and Technology, ETH Zurich, Laboratory of Molecular and Behavioral Neuroscience, Institute for Neuroscience, Winterthurerstrasse 190, Zurich 8057, Switzerland
- Neuroscience Centre Zurich, ETH Zurich and University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, Zurich 8057, Switzerland
| | - Katharina Gapp
- *Correspondence address. Department of Health Sciences and Technology, Laboratory of Molecular and Behavioral Neuroscience, Y36 M 12, Winterthurerstrasse 190, Zurich 8057, Switzerland. Tel: +0041 44 633 85 89; E-mail:
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Gapp K, Parada GE, Gross F, Corcoba A, Kaur J, Grau E, Hemberg M, Bohacek J, Miska EA. Single paternal dexamethasone challenge programs offspring metabolism and reveals multiple candidates in RNA-mediated inheritance. iScience 2021; 24:102870. [PMID: 34386731 PMCID: PMC8346661 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2021.102870] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2021] [Revised: 06/21/2021] [Accepted: 07/14/2021] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Single traumatic events that elicit an exaggerated stress response can lead to the development of neuropsychiatric conditions. Rodent studies suggested germline RNA as a mediator of effects of chronic environmental exposures to the progeny. The effects of an acute paternal stress exposure on the germline and their potential consequences on offspring remain to be seen. We find that acute administration of an agonist for the stress-sensitive Glucocorticoid receptor, using the common corticosteroid dexamethasone, affects the RNA payload of mature sperm as soon as 3 hr after exposure. It further impacts early embryonic transcriptional trajectories, as determined by single-embryo sequencing, and metabolism in the offspring. We show persistent regulation of tRNA fragments in sperm and descendant 2-cell embryos, suggesting transmission from sperm to embryo. Lastly, we unravel environmentally induced alterations in sperm circRNAs and their targets in the early embryo, highlighting this class as an additional candidate in RNA-mediated inheritance of disease risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katharina Gapp
- Gurdon Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 1QN, UK
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Hinxton, CB10 1SA, UK
- Laboratory of Molecular and Behavioral Neuroscience, Institute for Neuroscience, Department of Health Sciences and Technology, ETH Zürich, Zürich, 8057, Switzerland
- Neuroscience Center Zurich, ETH Zurich and University of Zurich, Zürich, 8057, Switzerland
| | - Guillermo E. Parada
- Gurdon Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 1QN, UK
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Hinxton, CB10 1SA, UK
- Department of Genetics, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 3EH, UK
| | - Fridolin Gross
- Laboratory of Molecular and Behavioral Neuroscience, Institute for Neuroscience, Department of Health Sciences and Technology, ETH Zürich, Zürich, 8057, Switzerland
| | | | - Jasmine Kaur
- Laboratory of Molecular and Behavioral Neuroscience, Institute for Neuroscience, Department of Health Sciences and Technology, ETH Zürich, Zürich, 8057, Switzerland
| | - Evelyn Grau
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Hinxton, CB10 1SA, UK
- Department of Medicine, CITIID, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 0AW, UK
| | - Martin Hemberg
- Gurdon Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 1QN, UK
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Hinxton, CB10 1SA, UK
- Evergrande Center for Immunologic Diseases, Harvard Medical School and Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Johannes Bohacek
- Laboratory of Molecular and Behavioral Neuroscience, Institute for Neuroscience, Department of Health Sciences and Technology, ETH Zürich, Zürich, 8057, Switzerland
- Neuroscience Center Zurich, ETH Zurich and University of Zurich, Zürich, 8057, Switzerland
| | - Eric A. Miska
- Gurdon Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 1QN, UK
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Hinxton, CB10 1SA, UK
- Department of Genetics, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 3EH, UK
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Rutkowska J, Lagisz M, Bonduriansky R, Nakagawa S. Mapping the past, present and future research landscape of paternal effects. BMC Biol 2020; 18:183. [PMID: 33246472 PMCID: PMC7694421 DOI: 10.1186/s12915-020-00892-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2020] [Accepted: 10/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Although in all sexually reproducing organisms an individual has a mother and a father, non-genetic inheritance has been predominantly studied in mothers. Paternal effects have been far less frequently studied, until recently. In the last 5 years, research on environmentally induced paternal effects has grown rapidly in the number of publications and diversity of topics. Here, we provide an overview of this field using synthesis of evidence (systematic map) and influence (bibliometric analyses). RESULTS We find that motivations for studies into paternal effects are diverse. For example, from the ecological and evolutionary perspective, paternal effects are of interest as facilitators of response to environmental change and mediators of extended heredity. Medical researchers track how paternal pre-fertilization exposures to factors, such as diet or trauma, influence offspring health. Toxicologists look at the effects of toxins. We compare how these three research guilds design experiments in relation to objects of their studies: fathers, mothers and offspring. We highlight examples of research gaps, which, in turn, lead to future avenues of research. CONCLUSIONS The literature on paternal effects is large and disparate. Our study helps in fostering connections between areas of knowledge that develop in parallel, but which could benefit from the lateral transfer of concepts and methods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joanna Rutkowska
- Institute of Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Jagiellonian University, Kraków, Poland
- Evolution & Ecology Research Centre, School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, BEES, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | - Malgorzata Lagisz
- Evolution & Ecology Research Centre, School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, BEES, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | - Russell Bonduriansky
- Evolution & Ecology Research Centre, School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, BEES, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | - Shinichi Nakagawa
- Evolution & Ecology Research Centre, School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, BEES, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
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Sperm epigenome as a marker of environmental exposure and lifestyle, at the origin of diseases inheritance. MUTATION RESEARCH-REVIEWS IN MUTATION RESEARCH 2018; 778:38-44. [DOI: 10.1016/j.mrrev.2018.09.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2018] [Revised: 09/04/2018] [Accepted: 09/05/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
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7
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Kinnally EL, Gonzalez MN, Capitanio JP. Paternal line effects of early experiences persist across three generations in rhesus macaques. Dev Psychobiol 2018; 60:879-888. [DOI: 10.1002/dev.21771] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2018] [Revised: 06/11/2018] [Accepted: 07/05/2018] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Erin L. Kinnally
- California National Primate Research Center; University of California; Davis California
| | - Mireille N. Gonzalez
- California National Primate Research Center; University of California; Davis California
| | - John P. Capitanio
- California National Primate Research Center; University of California; Davis California
- Department of Psychology; University of California; Davis California
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Korgan AC, O'Leary E, King JL, Weaver ICG, Perrot TS. Effects of paternal high-fat diet and rearing environment on maternal investment and development of defensive responses in the offspring. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2018. [PMID: 29518693 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2018.02.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Paternal preconception risk factors (e.g. stress, diet, drug use) correlate with metabolic dysfunction in offspring, which is often comorbid with depressive and anxiety-like phenotypes. Detection of these risk factors or deleterious phenotypes informs a female about prevailing ecological demands, in addition to potential adverse environment-induced phenotypes that may be disseminated to her offspring. We examined whether a F0 male rat's prior exposure to an obesogenic high-fat diet (HFD) influences a female's attraction towards a male, subsequent mother-infant interactions and the development of defensive (emotional) responses in the F1 offspring. Females displayed less interest in the HFD exposed F0 males relative to control diet-exposed F0 males. Dams that reared F1 offspring in larger, semi-naturalistic housing provided more licking and grooming and active arched-back-nursing behavior. However, some of these effects interacted with paternal experience. F0 HFD and maternal rearing environment revealed sex-dependent, between group differences in F1 offspring wean weight, juvenile social interactions and anxiety-like behavior in adolescence. Our results show for the first time in mammals that male exposure to HFD may contribute to stable behavioral variation among females in courtship, maternal care, even when the females are not directly exposed to a HFD, and anxiety-like behavior in F1 offspring. Furthermore, when offspring were exposed to a predatory threat, hypothalamic Crf gene regulation was influenced by early housing. These results, together with our previous findings, suggest that paternal experience and maternal rearing conditions can influence maternal behavior and development of defensive responses of offspring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Austin C Korgan
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Dalhousie University, Halifax B3H 4R2, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | - Elizabeth O'Leary
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Dalhousie University, Halifax B3H 4R2, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | - Jillian L King
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Dalhousie University, Halifax B3H 4R2, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | - Ian C G Weaver
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Dalhousie University, Halifax B3H 4R2, Nova Scotia, Canada; Department of Psychiatry, Dalhousie University, Halifax B3H 4R2, Nova Scotia, Canada; Brain Repair Centre, Dalhousie University, Halifax B3H 4R2, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | - Tara S Perrot
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Dalhousie University, Halifax B3H 4R2, Nova Scotia, Canada; Brain Repair Centre, Dalhousie University, Halifax B3H 4R2, Nova Scotia, Canada.
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Weaver ICG, Korgan AC, Lee K, Wheeler RV, Hundert AS, Goguen D. Stress and the Emerging Roles of Chromatin Remodeling in Signal Integration and Stable Transmission of Reversible Phenotypes. Front Behav Neurosci 2017; 11:41. [PMID: 28360846 PMCID: PMC5350110 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2017.00041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2016] [Accepted: 02/24/2017] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
The influence of early life experience and degree of parental-infant attachment on emotional development in children and adolescents has been comprehensively studied. Structural and mechanistic insight into the biological foundation and maintenance of mammalian defensive systems (metabolic, immune, nervous and behavioral) is slowly advancing through the emerging field of developmental molecular (epi)genetics. Initial evidence revealed that differential nurture early in life generates stable differences in offspring hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) regulation, in part, through chromatin remodeling and changes in DNA methylation of specific genes expressed in the brain, revealing physical, biochemical and molecular paths for the epidemiological concept of gene-environment interactions. Herein, a primary molecular mechanism underpinning the early developmental programming and lifelong maintenance of defensive (emotional) responses in the offspring is the alteration of chromatin domains of specific genomic regions from a condensed state (heterochromatin) to a transcriptionally accessible state (euchromatin). Conversely, DNA methylation promotes the formation of heterochromatin, which is essential for gene silencing, genomic integrity and chromosome segregation. Therefore, inter-individual differences in chromatin modifications and DNA methylation marks hold great potential for assessing the impact of both early life experience and effectiveness of intervention programs—from guided psychosocial strategies focused on changing behavior to pharmacological treatments that target chromatin remodeling and DNA methylation enzymes to dietary approaches that alter cellular pools of metabolic intermediates and methyl donors to affect nutrient bioavailability and metabolism. In this review article, we discuss the potential molecular mechanism(s) of gene regulation associated with chromatin modeling and programming of endocrine (e.g., HPA and metabolic or cardiovascular) and behavioral (e.g., fearfulness, vigilance) responses to stress, including alterations in DNA methylation and the role of DNA repair machinery. From parental history (e.g., drugs, housing, illness, nutrition, socialization) to maternal-offspring exchanges of nutrition, microbiota, antibodies and stimulation, the nature of nurture provides not only mechanistic insight into how experiences propagate from external to internal variables, but also identifies a composite therapeutic target, chromatin modeling, for gestational/prenatal stress, adolescent anxiety/depression and adult-onset neuropsychiatric disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ian C G Weaver
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, and Department of Psychiatry, Dalhousie University Halifax, NS, Canada
| | - Austin C Korgan
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, and Department of Psychiatry, Dalhousie University Halifax, NS, Canada
| | - Kristen Lee
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, and Department of Psychiatry, Dalhousie University Halifax, NS, Canada
| | - Ryan V Wheeler
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, and Department of Psychiatry, Dalhousie University Halifax, NS, Canada
| | - Amos S Hundert
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, and Department of Psychiatry, Dalhousie University Halifax, NS, Canada
| | - Donna Goguen
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, and Department of Psychiatry, Dalhousie University Halifax, NS, Canada
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Zhang B. Consequences of early adverse rearing experience(EARE) on development: insights from non-human primate studies. Zool Res 2017; 38:7-35. [PMID: 28271667 PMCID: PMC5368383 DOI: 10.13918/j.issn.2095-8137.2017.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2016] [Accepted: 12/30/2016] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Early rearing experiences are important in one's whole life, whereas early adverse rearing experience(EARE) is usually related to various physical and mental disorders in later life. Although there were many studies on human and animals, regarding the effect of EARE on brain development, neuroendocrine systems, as well as the consequential mental disorders and behavioral abnormalities, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Due to the close genetic relationship and similarity in social organizations with humans, non-human primate(NHP) studies were performed for over 60 years. Various EARE models were developed to disrupt the early normal interactions between infants and mothers or peers. Those studies provided important insights of EARE induced effects on the physiological and behavioral systems of NHPs across life span, such as social behaviors(including disturbance behavior, social deficiency, sexual behavior, etc), learning and memory ability, brain structural and functional developments(including influences on neurons and glia cells, neuroendocrine systems, e.g., hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal(HPA) axis, etc). In this review, the effects of EARE and the underlying epigenetic mechanisms were comprehensively summarized and the possibility of rehabilitation was discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bo Zhang
- Yunnan Key Laboratory of Primate Biomedical Research, Kunming Yunnan 650500, China; Institute of Primate Translational Medicine, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming Yunnan 650500, China; National Institute of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA.
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Korgan AC, O’Leary E, Bauer J, Fortier A, Weaver ICG, Perrot TS. Effects of Paternal Predation Risk and Rearing Environment on Maternal Investment and Development of Defensive Responses in the Offspring. eNeuro 2016; 3:ENEURO.0231-16.2016. [PMID: 27896313 PMCID: PMC5112542 DOI: 10.1523/eneuro.0231-16.2016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2016] [Revised: 10/19/2016] [Accepted: 11/01/2016] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Detecting past experiences with predators of a potential mate informs a female about prevailing ecological threats, in addition to stress-induced phenotypes that may be disseminated to offspring. We examined whether prior exposure of a male rat to a predator (cat) odor influences the attraction of a female toward a male, subsequent mother-infant interactions and the development of defensive (emotional) responses in the offspring. Females displayed less interest in males that had experienced predator odor. Mothers that reared young in larger, seminaturalistic housing provided more licking and grooming and active arched back-nursing behavior toward their offspring compared with dams housed in standard housing, although some effects interacted with paternal experience. Paternal predation risk and maternal rearing environment revealed sex-dependent differences in offspring wean weight, juvenile social interactions, and anxiety-like behavior in adolescence. Additionally, paternal predator experience and maternal housing independently affected variations in crf gene promoter acetylation and crf gene expression in response to an acute stressor in offspring. Our results show for the first time in mammals that variation among males in their predator encounters may contribute to stable behavioral variation among females in preference for mates and maternal care, even when the females are not directly exposed to predator threat. Furthermore, when offspring were exposed to the same threat experienced by the father, hypothalamic crf gene regulation was influenced by paternal olfactory experience and early housing. These results, together with our previous findings, suggest that paternal stress exposure and maternal rearing conditions can influence maternal behavior and the development of defensive responses in offspring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Austin C. Korgan
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Dalhousie University, Halifax B3H 4R2, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | - Elizabeth O’Leary
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Dalhousie University, Halifax B3H 4R2, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | - Jessica Bauer
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Dalhousie University, Halifax B3H 4R2, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | - Aidan Fortier
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Dalhousie University, Halifax B3H 4R2, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | - Ian C. G. Weaver
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Dalhousie University, Halifax B3H 4R2, Nova Scotia, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, Dalhousie University, Halifax B3H 4R2, Nova Scotia, Canada
- Brain Repair Centre, Dalhousie University, Halifax B3H 4R2, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | - Tara S. Perrot
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Dalhousie University, Halifax B3H 4R2, Nova Scotia, Canada
- Brain Repair Centre, Dalhousie University, Halifax B3H 4R2, Nova Scotia, Canada
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12
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Bohacek J, von Werdt S, Mansuy IM. Probing the germline-dependence of epigenetic inheritance using artificial insemination in mice. ENVIRONMENTAL EPIGENETICS 2016; 2:dvv015. [PMID: 29492284 PMCID: PMC5804514 DOI: 10.1093/eep/dvv015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2015] [Accepted: 12/16/2015] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
We developed a simple, noninvasive artificial insemination technique to study epigenetic germline inheritance in mice. This technique avoids interfering factors introduced by superovulation, surgery, in vitro culture or mating that can confound the transmission of acquired epigenetic information through the germline. Using a stress model, we demonstrate that our method is suited to test the causal involvement of the male germline in transmitting acquired information from father to offspring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johannes Bohacek
- Brain Research Institute, Lab of Neuroepigenetics, Neuroscience Center Zürich, University of Zurich/ETH Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Sarah von Werdt
- Brain Research Institute, Lab of Neuroepigenetics, Neuroscience Center Zürich, University of Zurich/ETH Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Isabelle M. Mansuy
- Brain Research Institute, Lab of Neuroepigenetics, Neuroscience Center Zürich, University of Zurich/ETH Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
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13
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Kinnally EL, Capitanio JP. Paternal early experiences influence infant development through non-social mechanisms in Rhesus Macaques. Front Zool 2015; 12 Suppl 1:S14. [PMID: 26816514 PMCID: PMC4722344 DOI: 10.1186/1742-9994-12-s1-s14] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Early experiences influence the developing organism, with lifelong and potentially adaptive consequences. It has recently become clear that the effects of early experiences are not limited to the exposed generation, but can influence physiological and behavioral traits in the next generation. Mechanisms of transgenerational effects of parental early experiences on offspring development are often attributed to prenatal or postnatal parental influence, but recent data suggest that germ-line plasticity may also play a role in the transgenerational effects of early experiences. These non-genetic transgenerational effects are a potentially important developmental and evolutionary force, but the effects of parental experiences on behavior and physiology are not well understood in socially complex primates. In the non-human primate, the rhesus macaque, nursery rearing (NR) is an early life manipulation used for colony management purposes, and involves separating infants from parents early in life. We examined the effects of maternal and paternal early NR on infant rhesus macaque immunity, physiology, and behavior. RESULTS We theorized that differences in behavior or physiology in the absence of parent-offspring social contact would point to biological and perhaps germ-line, rather than social, mechanisms of effect. Thus, all subjects were themselves NR. Male and female infant rhesus macaques (N= 206) were separated from parents and social groups in the first four days of life to undergo NR. These infants differed only in their degree of NR ancestry - whether their dams or sires were themselves NR. At 3-4 months of age, infants underwent a standardized biobehavioral assessment. Factors describing immunity, plasma cortisol, and emotion regulation were generated from these data using factor analysis. Paternal, but not maternal, NR was associated with greater emotionality and higher plasma cortisol, compared with infants born to CONTROL reared fathers. CONCLUSIONS These data suggest that macaque biobehavioral makeup is strongly influenced by paternal experiences, and via non-social mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erin L Kinnally
- California National Primate Research Center, University of California Davis, CA, 95616; Department of Psychology, University of California, Davis, CA 95616
| | - John P Capitanio
- California National Primate Research Center, University of California Davis, CA, 95616; Department of Psychology, University of California, Davis, CA 95616
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14
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McPherson NO, Owens JA, Fullston T, Lane M. Preconception diet or exercise intervention in obese fathers normalizes sperm microRNA profile and metabolic syndrome in female offspring. Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab 2015; 308:E805-21. [PMID: 25690453 DOI: 10.1152/ajpendo.00013.2015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 120] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2015] [Accepted: 02/11/2015] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Obesity and type 2 diabetes are increasingly prevalent across all demographics. Paternal obesity in humans and rodents can program obesity and impair insulin sensitivity in female offspring. It remains to be determined whether these perturbed offspring phenotypes can be improved through targeted lifestyle interventions in the obese father. Using a mouse model, we demonstrate that diet or exercise interventions for 8 wk (2 rounds of spermatogenesis) in obese founder males restores insulin sensitivity and normalized adiposity in female offspring. Founder diet and/or exercise also normalizes abundance of X-linked sperm microRNAs that target genes regulating cell cycle and apoptosis, pathways central to oocyte and early embryogenesis. Additionally, obesity-associated comorbidities, including inflammation, glucose intolerance, stress, and hypercholesterolemia, were good predictors for sperm microRNA abundance and offspring phenotypes. Interventions aimed at improving paternal metabolic health during specific windows prior to conception can partially normalize aberrant epigenetic signals in sperm and improve the metabolic health of female offspring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole O McPherson
- School of Paediatrics and Reproductive Health, Discipline of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Robinson Research Institute, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia; Freemasons Center for Men's Health, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia; and
| | - Julie A Owens
- School of Paediatrics and Reproductive Health, Discipline of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Robinson Research Institute, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Tod Fullston
- School of Paediatrics and Reproductive Health, Discipline of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Robinson Research Institute, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Michelle Lane
- School of Paediatrics and Reproductive Health, Discipline of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Robinson Research Institute, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia; Freemasons Center for Men's Health, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia; and Monash IVF Group, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
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What makes a good mother? Implication of inter-, and intrastrain strain "cross fostering" for emotional changes in mouse offspring. Behav Brain Res 2014; 274:270-81. [PMID: 25151929 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2014.08.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2014] [Revised: 08/07/2014] [Accepted: 08/09/2014] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Currently, the mouse represents the preferred model organism among mammals used for animal studies. Due to a great availability of mutant strains it represents a standard method to analyze in vivo the effects of targeted gene manipulations. While this - at least in theory - represents a valuable tool to elucidate the pathophysiology of certain human diseases, there are several caveats which need to be considered working with animals. In our study we aimed at elucidating, how a widely established breeding strategy, i.e. the use of "foster mothers" to save the survival of compromised mouse pups for ongoing experiments, per se, affects the emotional phenotype of the fostered offspring. Since it is a popular method to use outbred strains like NMRI to do this job, we sought to evaluate the potential effects of such an artificial postnatal condition and compare either offspring nurtured by their biological mothers or two different strains of foster mothers. Hence we analysed changes in maternal care and later on the emotional behaviour of male and female C57BL/6 mice reared by (i) their biological C57BL/6 mothers, (ii) C57BL/6 foster mothers and (iii) NMRI foster mothers in a behavioural test battery. In addition we assessed corticosterone levels as indicator for stress-physiological changes. Besides clear differences in maternal behaviour, our study indicates an altered emotional state (i.e. differences in anxiety and depressive-like features) in mice reared by different "categories" of mothers, which emphasizes the importance to embed such perinatal conditions in the evaluation of animal-deriving data.
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