1
|
Martínez Duncker Rebolledo E, Chan D, Christensen KE, Reagan AM, Howell GR, Rozen R, Trasler J. Sperm DNA methylation defects in a new mouse model of the 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase 677C>T variant and correction with moderate dose folic acid supplementation. Mol Hum Reprod 2024; 30:gaae008. [PMID: 38366926 PMCID: PMC10980591 DOI: 10.1093/molehr/gaae008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2023] [Revised: 01/30/2024] [Indexed: 02/19/2024] Open
Abstract
5,10-Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) is an enzyme that plays a key role in providing methyl groups for DNA methylation, including during spermatogenesis. A common genetic variant in humans (MTHFR 677C>T) results in reduced enzyme activity and has been linked to various disorders, including male infertility. A new animal model has been created by reproducing the human equivalent of the polymorphism in mice using CRISPR/Cas9. Biochemical parameters in the Mthfr 677TT mice recapitulate alterations found in MTHFR 677TT men. Our aims were to characterize the sperm DNA methylome of the Mthfr 677CC and TT mice on a control diet (2 mg folic acid/kg diet) and assess the effects of folic acid supplementation (10 mg/kg diet) on the sperm DNA methylome. Body and reproductive organ weights, testicular sperm counts, and histology were examined. DNA methylation in sperm was assessed using bisulfite pyrosequencing and whole-genome bisulfite sequencing (WGBS). Reproductive parameters and locus-specific imprinted gene methylation were unaffected by genotype or diet. Using WGBS, sperm from 677TT mice had 360 differentially methylated tiles as compared to 677CC mice, predominantly hypomethylation (60% of tiles). Folic acid supplementation mostly caused hypermethylation in sperm of males of both genotypes and was found to partially correct the DNA methylation alterations in sperm associated with the TT genotype. The new mouse model will be useful in understanding the role of MTHFR deficiency in male fertility and in designing folate supplementation regimens for the clinic.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Edgar Martínez Duncker Rebolledo
- Child Health and Human Development Program, Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Department of Human Genetics, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Donovan Chan
- Child Health and Human Development Program, Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Karen E Christensen
- Child Health and Human Development Program, Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | | | - Gareth R Howell
- The Jackson Laboratory, Bar Harbor, ME, USA
- Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
- Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences and Engineering, University of Maine, Orono, ME, USA
| | - Rima Rozen
- Child Health and Human Development Program, Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Department of Human Genetics, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Department of Pediatrics, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Jacquetta Trasler
- Child Health and Human Development Program, Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Department of Human Genetics, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Department of Pediatrics, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Department of Pharmacology & Therapeutics, Montreal, QC, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Kimmins S, Anderson RA, Barratt CLR, Behre HM, Catford SR, De Jonge CJ, Delbes G, Eisenberg ML, Garrido N, Houston BJ, Jørgensen N, Krausz C, Lismer A, McLachlan RI, Minhas S, Moss T, Pacey A, Priskorn L, Schlatt S, Trasler J, Trasande L, Tüttelmann F, Vazquez-Levin MH, Veltman JA, Zhang F, O'Bryan MK. Frequency, morbidity and equity - the case for increased research on male fertility. Nat Rev Urol 2024; 21:102-124. [PMID: 37828407 DOI: 10.1038/s41585-023-00820-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/31/2023] [Indexed: 10/14/2023]
Abstract
Currently, most men with infertility cannot be given an aetiology, which reflects a lack of knowledge around gamete production and how it is affected by genetics and the environment. A failure to recognize the burden of male infertility and its potential as a biomarker for systemic illness exists. The absence of such knowledge results in patients generally being treated as a uniform group, for whom the strategy is to bypass the causality using medically assisted reproduction (MAR) techniques. In doing so, opportunities to prevent co-morbidity are missed and the burden of MAR is shifted to the woman. To advance understanding of men's reproductive health, longitudinal and multi-national centres for data and sample collection are essential. Such programmes must enable an integrated view of the consequences of genetics, epigenetics and environmental factors on fertility and offspring health. Definition and possible amelioration of the consequences of MAR for conceived children are needed. Inherent in this statement is the necessity to promote fertility restoration and/or use the least invasive MAR strategy available. To achieve this aim, protocols must be rigorously tested and the move towards personalized medicine encouraged. Equally, education of the public, governments and clinicians on the frequency and consequences of infertility is needed. Health options, including male contraceptives, must be expanded, and the opportunities encompassed in such investment understood. The pressing questions related to male reproductive health, spanning the spectrum of andrology are identified in the Expert Recommendation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Kimmins
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Faculty of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- The Centre de Recherche du Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- The Département de Pathologie et Biologie Cellulaire, Université de Montréal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Richard A Anderson
- MRC Centre for Reproductive Health, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Christopher L R Barratt
- Division of Systems Medicine, School of Medicine, Ninewells Hospital and Medical School, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK
| | - Hermann M Behre
- Center for Reproductive Medicine and Andrology, University Hospital, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, Germany
| | - Sarah R Catford
- Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, The Royal Women's Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | | | - Geraldine Delbes
- Institut National de la Recherche Scientifique, Centre Armand-Frappier Sante Biotechnologie, Laval, Quebec, Canada
| | - Michael L Eisenberg
- Department of Urology and Obstetrics and Gynecology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Nicolas Garrido
- IVI Foundation, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria La Fe, Valencia, Spain
| | - Brendan J Houston
- School of BioSciences and Bio21 Institute, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Niels Jørgensen
- Department of Growth and Reproduction, International Center for Research and Research Training in Endocrine Disruption of Male Reproduction and Child Health, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Csilla Krausz
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences, 'Mario Serio', University of Florence, University Hospital of Careggi Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Ariane Lismer
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Faculty of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Robert I McLachlan
- Hudson Institute of Medical Research and the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
- Monash IVF Group, Richmond, Victoria, Australia
| | - Suks Minhas
- Department of Surgery and Cancer Imperial, London, UK
| | - Tim Moss
- Healthy Male and the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Allan Pacey
- Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Lærke Priskorn
- Department of Growth and Reproduction, International Center for Research and Research Training in Endocrine Disruption of Male Reproduction and Child Health, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Stefan Schlatt
- Centre for Reproductive Medicine and Andrology, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Jacquetta Trasler
- Departments of Paediatrics, Human Genetics and Pharmacology & Therapeutics, McGill University and Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Leonardo Trasande
- Center for the Investigation of Environmental Hazards, Department of Paediatrics, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Frank Tüttelmann
- Institute of Reproductive Genetics, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Mónica Hebe Vazquez-Levin
- Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas de Argentina, Fundación IBYME, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Joris A Veltman
- Biosciences Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Feng Zhang
- Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Institute of Reproduction and Development, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Moira K O'Bryan
- School of BioSciences and Bio21 Institute, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Melbourne, Australia.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Jones SL, De Braga V, Caccese C, Lew J, Elgbeili G, Castellanos-Ryan N, Parent S, Muckle G, Herba CM, Fraser WD, Ducharme S, Barnwell J, Trasler J, Séguin JR, Nguyen TV, Montreuil TC. Prenatal paternal anxiety symptoms predict child DHEA levels and internalizing symptoms during adrenarche. Front Behav Neurosci 2024; 17:1217846. [PMID: 38239262 PMCID: PMC10794355 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2023.1217846] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2023] [Accepted: 11/30/2023] [Indexed: 01/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction This study examined (1) whether measures of paternal anxious and depressive symptoms collected prenatally and during a follow-up assessment when the child was in middle childhood, predict child neuroendocrine outcomes, and (2) whether neuroendocrine outcomes are intermediate factors between paternal mental health and child cognitive/behavioral outcomes. Middle childhood coincides with increased autonomy as the child transitions into grade school, and with adrenarche, as the maturing adrenal gland increases secretion of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and its sulfated metabolite (DHEA-S), hormones that are implicated in corticolimbic development which regulate emotions and cognition. Methods Participants were recruited from a subsample of a large prospective birth cohort study (3D study). We conducted a follow-up study when children were 6-8 years old (N = 61 families, 36 boys, 25 girls). Parental symptoms of anxiety, stress and depression were assessed via validated self-report questionnaires: prenatally using an in-house anxiety questionnaire, the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) and the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression (CES-D), and at the follow up, using the Beck Anxiety and Beck Depression Inventories. Children provided salivary hormone samples, and their pituitary gland volume was measured from structural Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scans. Child behaviors were measured using the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire and cognitive outcomes using the WISC-V. Multiple regression analyses were used to test whether paternal mental health symptoms assessed prenatally and during childhood are associated with child neuroendocrine outcomes, adjusting for maternal mental health and child sex. Indirect-effect models assessed whether neuroendocrine factors are important intermediates that link paternal mental health and cognitive/behavioral outcomes. Results (1) Fathers' prenatal anxiety symptoms predicted lower DHEA levels in the children, but not pituitary volume. (2) Higher prenatal paternal anxiety symptoms predicted higher child internalizing symptoms via an indirect pathway of lower child DHEA. No associations were detected between paternal anxiety symptoms measured in childhood, and neuroendocrine outcomes. No child sex differences were detected on any measure. Conclusion These results highlight the often-overlooked role of paternal factors during pregnancy on child development, suggesting that paternal prenatal anxiety symptoms are associated with child neuroendocrine function and in turn internalizing symptoms that manifest at least up to middle childhood.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sherri Lee Jones
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, Research Institute of the McGill University Health Center, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, Douglas Research Center, Douglas Mental Health University Institute, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Victoria De Braga
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, Research Institute of the McGill University Health Center, Montreal, QC, Canada
- School of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Christina Caccese
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, Research Institute of the McGill University Health Center, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Jimin Lew
- Department of Psychiatry, Research Institute of the McGill University Health Center, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Integrated Program in Neuroscience, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Guillaume Elgbeili
- Department of Psychiatry, Research Institute of the McGill University Health Center, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, Douglas Research Center, Douglas Mental Health University Institute, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | | | - Sophie Parent
- School of Psychoeducation, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Gina Muckle
- Centre de Recherche du Centre Hospitalier Universitaire (CHU) de Québec, School of Psychology, Laval University, Québec, QC, Canada
| | - Catherine M. Herba
- Centre Hospitalier Universitaire (CHU) Ste-Justine Research Centre, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Department of Psychology, Université du Québec à Montréal (UQAM), Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - William D. Fraser
- Centre Hospitalier Universitaire (CHU) Ste-Justine Research Centre, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Centre de Recherche du CHU de Sherbrooke, University of Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC, Canada
| | - Simon Ducharme
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, Douglas Research Center, Douglas Mental Health University Institute, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Julia Barnwell
- Department of Psychiatry, Research Institute of the McGill University Health Center, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Human Genetics and Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Jacquetta Trasler
- Department of Psychiatry, Research Institute of the McGill University Health Center, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Human Genetics and Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Jean R. Séguin
- Centre Hospitalier Universitaire (CHU) Ste-Justine Research Centre, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry and Addiction, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Tuong-Vi Nguyen
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, Research Institute of the McGill University Health Center, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Reproductive Psychiatry Program, McGill University Health Centre, Departments of Psychiatry and Obstetrics and Gynecology, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Tina C. Montreuil
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, Research Institute of the McGill University Health Center, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Centre Hospitalier Universitaire (CHU) Ste-Justine Research Centre, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Department of Educational and Counselling Psychology, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Ducreux B, Patrat C, Trasler J, Fauque P. Transcriptomic integrity of human oocytes used in ARTs: technical and intrinsic factor effects. Hum Reprod Update 2024; 30:26-47. [PMID: 37697674 DOI: 10.1093/humupd/dmad025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2023] [Revised: 07/04/2023] [Indexed: 09/13/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Millions of children have been born throughout the world thanks to ARTs, the harmlessness of which has not yet been fully demonstrated. For years, efforts to evaluate the specific effects of ART have focused on the embryo; however, it is the oocyte quality that mainly dictates first and foremost the developmental potential of the future embryo. Ovarian stimulation, cryopreservation, and IVM are sometimes necessary steps to obtain a mature oocyte, but they could alter the appropriate expression of the oocyte genome. Additionally, it is likely that female infertility, environmental factors, and lifestyle have a significant influence on oocyte transcriptomic quality, which may interfere with the outcome of an ART attempt. OBJECTIVE AND RATIONALE The objective of this review is to identify transcriptomic changes in the human oocyte caused by interventions specific to ART but also intrinsic factors such as age, reproductive health issues, and lifestyle. We also provide recommendations for future good practices to be conducted when attempting ART. SEARCH METHODS An in-depth literature search was performed on PubMed to identify studies assessing the human oocyte transcriptome following ART interventions, or in the context of maternal aging, suboptimal lifestyle, or reproductive health issues. OUTCOMES ART success is susceptible to external factors, maternal aging, lifestyle factors (smoking, BMI), and infertility due to endometriosis or polycystic ovary syndrome. Indeed, all of these are likely to increase oxidative stress and alter mitochondrial processes in the foreground. Concerning ART techniques themselves, there is evidence that different ovarian stimulation regimens shape the oocyte transcriptome. The perturbation of processes related to the mitochondrion, oxidative phosphorylation, and metabolism is observed with IVM. Cryopreservation might dysregulate genes belonging to transcriptional regulation, ubiquitination, cell cycle, and oocyte growth pathways. For other ART laboratory factors such as temperature, oxygen tension, air pollution, and light, the evidence remains scarce. Focusing on genes involved in chromatin-based processes such as DNA methylation, heterochromatin modulation, histone modification, and chromatin remodeling complexes, but also genomic imprinting, we observed systematic dysregulation of such genes either after ART intervention or lifestyle exposure, as well as due to internal factors such as maternal aging and reproductive diseases. Alteration in the expression of such epigenetic regulators may be a common mechanism linked to adverse oocyte environments, explaining global transcriptomic modifications. WIDER IMPLICATIONS Many IVF factors and additional external factors have the potential to impair oocyte transcriptomic integrity, which might not be innocuous for the developing embryo. Fortunately, it is likely that such dysregulations can be minimized by adapting ART protocols or reducing adverse exposure.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bastien Ducreux
- Université Bourgogne Franche-Comtés-Equipe Génétique des Anomalies du Développement (GAD) INSERM UMR1231, Dijon, France
| | - Catherine Patrat
- Université de Paris Cité, Faculty of Medicine, Inserm 1016, Paris, France
- Department of Reproductive Biology-CECOS, aphp.centre-Université Paris Cité, Paris, France
| | - Jacquetta Trasler
- Department of Pediatrics, McGill University and Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Department of Human Genetics, McGill University and Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Department of Pharmacology & Therapeutics, McGill University and Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Patricia Fauque
- Université Bourgogne Franche-Comtés-Equipe Génétique des Anomalies du Développement (GAD) INSERM UMR1231, Dijon, France
- CHU Dijon Bourgogne, Laboratoire de Biologie de la Reproduction-CECOS, Dijon, France
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Karahan G, Martel J, Rahimi S, Farag M, Matias F, MacFarlane AJ, Chan D, Trasler J. Higher incidence of embryonic defects in mouse offspring conceived with assisted reproduction from fathers with sperm epimutations. Hum Mol Genet 2023; 33:48-63. [PMID: 37740387 PMCID: PMC10729866 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddad160] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2023] [Revised: 08/30/2023] [Accepted: 09/13/2023] [Indexed: 09/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Assisted reproductive technologies (ART) account for 1-6% of births in developed countries. While most children conceived are healthy, increases in birth and genomic imprinting defects have been reported; such abnormal outcomes have been attributed to underlying parental infertility and/or the ART used. Here, we assessed whether paternal genetic and lifestyle factors, that are associated with male infertility and affect the sperm epigenome, can influence ART outcomes. We examined how paternal factors, haploinsufficiency for Dnmt3L, an important co-factor for DNA methylation reactions, and/or diet-induced obesity, in combination with ART (superovulation, in vitro fertilization, embryo culture and embryo transfer), could adversely influence embryo development and DNA methylation patterning in mice. While male mice fed high-fat diets (HFD) gained weight and showed perturbed metabolic health, their sperm DNA methylation was minimally affected by the diet. In contrast, Dnmt3L haploinsufficiency induced a marked loss of DNA methylation in sperm; notably, regions affected were associated with neurodevelopmental pathways and enriched in young retrotransposons, sequences that can have functional consequences in the next generation. Following ART, placental imprinted gene methylation and growth parameters were impacted by one or both paternal factors. For embryos conceived by natural conception, abnormality rates were similar for WT and Dnmt3L+/- fathers. In contrast, paternal Dnmt3L+/- genotype, as compared to WT fathers, resulted in a 3-fold increase in the incidence of morphological abnormalities in embryos generated by ART. Together, the results indicate that embryonic morphological and epigenetic defects associated with ART may be exacerbated in offspring conceived by fathers with sperm epimutations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gurbet Karahan
- Department of Human Genetics, McGill University, Montreal, QC, H3A 0C7, Canada
- Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC, H4A 3J1, Canada
| | - Josée Martel
- Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC, H4A 3J1, Canada
| | - Sophia Rahimi
- Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC, H4A 3J1, Canada
| | - Mena Farag
- Department of Human Genetics, McGill University, Montreal, QC, H3A 0C7, Canada
| | - Fernando Matias
- Nutrition Research Division, Health Canada, Ottawa, ON, K1A 0K9, Canada
| | | | - Donovan Chan
- Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC, H4A 3J1, Canada
| | - Jacquetta Trasler
- Department of Human Genetics, McGill University, Montreal, QC, H3A 0C7, Canada
- Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC, H4A 3J1, Canada
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Montreal, QC, H3G 1Y6, Canada
- Department of Pediatrics, McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC, H4A 3J1, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Rahimi S, Shao X, Chan D, Martel J, Bérard A, Fraser WD, Simon MM, Kwan T, Bourque G, Trasler J. Capturing sex-specific and hypofertility-linked effects of assisted reproductive technologies on the cord blood DNA methylome. Clin Epigenetics 2023; 15:82. [PMID: 37170172 PMCID: PMC10176895 DOI: 10.1186/s13148-023-01497-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2022] [Accepted: 05/02/2023] [Indexed: 05/13/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Children conceived through assisted reproduction are at an increased risk for growth and genomic imprinting disorders, often linked to DNA methylation defects. It has been suggested that assisted reproductive technology (ART) and underlying parental infertility can induce epigenetic instability, specifically interfering with DNA methylation reprogramming events during germ cell and preimplantation development. To date, human studies exploring the association between ART and DNA methylation defects have reported inconsistent or inconclusive results, likely due to population heterogeneity and the use of technologies with limited coverage of the epigenome. In our study, we explored the epigenetic risk of ART by comprehensively profiling the DNA methylome of 73 human cord blood samples of singleton pregnancies (n = 36 control group, n = 37 ART/hypofertile group) from a human prospective longitudinal birth cohort, the 3D (Design, Develop, Discover) Study, using a high-resolution sequencing-based custom capture panel that examines over 2.4 million autosomal CpGs in the genome. RESULTS We identified evidence of sex-specific effects of ART/hypofertility on cord blood DNA methylation patterns. Our genome-wide analyses identified ~ 46% more CpGs affected by ART/hypofertility in female than in male infant cord blood. We performed a detailed analysis of three imprinted genes which have been associated with altered DNA methylation following ART (KCNQ1OT1, H19/IGF2 and GNAS) and found that female infant cord blood was associated with DNA hypomethylation. When compared to less invasive procedures such as intrauterine insemination, more invasive ARTs (in vitro fertilization, intracytoplasmic sperm injection, embryo culture) resulted in more marked and distinct effects on the cord blood DNA methylome. In the in vitro group, we found a close to fourfold higher proportion of significantly enriched Gene Ontology terms involved in development than in the in vivo group. CONCLUSIONS Our study highlights the ability of a sensitive, targeted, sequencing-based approach to uncover DNA methylation perturbations in cord blood associated with hypofertility and ART and influenced by offspring sex and ART technique invasiveness.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sophia Rahimi
- Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Xiaojian Shao
- Digital Technologies Research Centre, National Research Council Canada, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Donovan Chan
- Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Josée Martel
- Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Anick Bérard
- Research Unit On Medications and Pregnancy, Research Centre, CHU Sainte-Justine, Montreal, Canada
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Faculty of Medicine, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Lyon, France
| | - William D Fraser
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Université de Sherbrooke and Centre de Recherche du CHUS, Sherbrooke, QC, Canada
| | | | - Tony Kwan
- McGill University Genome Centre, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Department of Human Genetics, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Guillaume Bourque
- McGill University Genome Centre, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Department of Human Genetics, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Jacquetta Trasler
- Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC, Canada.
- Department of Human Genetics, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada.
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada.
- Department of Pediatrics, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Romero JM, Sorin M, Dankner M, Whittaker H, Rose A, Trasler J, Eisenberg MJ. Gender Disparities in Academic Outcomes Among Graduates of a Canadian MD-PhD Program. CLIN INVEST MED 2023; 46:E4-14. [PMID: 36966388 DOI: 10.25011/cim.v46i1.39965] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2022] [Accepted: 12/30/2022] [Indexed: 03/27/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Women have traditionally been underrepresented in MD and MD-PhD training programs. Here, we describe the changing demographics of an MD-PhD Program over three distinct time intervals. METHODS We designed a 64-question survey and sent it to 47 graduates of the McGill University MD-PhD program in Montréal, Québec, Canada, since its inception in 1985. We also sent a 23-question survey to the 24 students of the program in 2021. The surveys included questions related to demographics, physician-scientist training, research metrics, as well as academic and personal considerations. RESULTS We collected responses from August 2020 to August 2021 and grouped them into three intervals based on respondent graduation year: 1995-2005 (n = 17), 2006-2020 (n = 23) and current students (n = 24). Total response rate was 90.1% (n = 64/71). We found that there are more women currently in the program compared to the 1995-2005 cohort (41.7% increase, p<0.01). In addition, women self-reported as physician-scientists less frequently than men and reported less protected research time. CONCLUSIONS Overall, recent MD-PhD alumni represent a more diverse population compared with their earlier counterparts. Identifying barriers to training remains an important step in ensuring MD-PhD trainees become successful physician-scientists.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Joan Miguel Romero
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada ; Goodman Cancer Institute, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Mark Sorin
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada ; Goodman Cancer Institute, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Matthew Dankner
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada ; Goodman Cancer Institute, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Heather Whittaker
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - April Rose
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada ; 3 Gerald Bronfman Department of Oncology, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada ; Lady Davis Institute for Medical Research, Jewish General Hospital, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Jacquetta Trasler
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada ; Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montréal, QC, Canada ; Departments of Pediatrics, Human Genetics and Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Mark J Eisenberg
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada ; Lady Davis Institute for Medical Research, Jewish General Hospital, Montréal, QC, Canada ; Department of Cardiology, Jewish General Hospital, Montréal, QC, Canada.
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Ihirwe RG, Martel J, Rahimi S, Trasler J. Protective and sex-specific effects of moderate dose folic acid supplementation on the placenta following assisted reproduction in mice. FASEB J 2023; 37:e22677. [PMID: 36515682 PMCID: PMC10108070 DOI: 10.1096/fj.202201428r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2022] [Revised: 11/02/2022] [Accepted: 11/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Epigenetic defects induced by assisted reproductive technologies (ART) have been suggested as a potential mechanism contributing to suboptimal placentation. Here, we hypothesize that ART perturbs DNA methylation (DNAme) and gene expression during early placenta development, leading to abnormal placental phenotypes observed at term. Since folic acid (FA) plays a crucial role in epigenetic regulation, we propose that FA supplementation can rescue ART-induced placental defects. Female mice were placed on a control diet (CD), a moderate 4-fold (FAS4) or high dose 10-fold (FAS10) FA-supplemented diet prior to ART and compared to a natural mating group. ART resulted in 41 and 28 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in E10.5 female and male placentas, respectively. Many DEGs were implicated in early placenta development and associated with DNAme changes; a number clustered at known imprinting control regions (ICR). In females, FAS4 partially corrected alterations in gene expression while FAS10 showed evidence of male-biased adverse effects. DNAme and gene expression for five genes involved in early placentation (Phlda2, EphB2, Igf2, Peg3, L3mbtl1) were followed up in placentas from normal as well as delayed and abnormal embryos. Phlda2 and Igf2 expression levels were lowest after ART in placentas of female delayed embryos. Moreover, ART concomitantly reduced DNAme at the Kcnq1ot1 ICR which regulates Phlda2 expression; FAS4 partially improved DNAme in a sex-specific manner. In conclusion, ART-associated placental DNAme and transcriptome alterations observed at mid-gestation are sex-specific; they may help explain adverse placental phenotypes detected at term and are partially corrected by maternal moderate dose FA supplementation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rita Gloria Ihirwe
- Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.,Department of Pharmacology & Therapeutics, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Josée Martel
- Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Sophia Rahimi
- Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Jacquetta Trasler
- Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.,Department of Pharmacology & Therapeutics, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.,Department of Pediatrics, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.,Department of Human Genetics, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Gorgui J, Sheehy O, Trasler J, Bérard A. Medically assisted reproduction and the risk of being born small and very small for gestational age: Assessing prematurity status as an effect modifier. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:904885. [PMID: 36249815 PMCID: PMC9554408 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.904885] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2022] [Accepted: 09/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Over the last decade, the use of medically assisted reproduction (MAR) has steadily increased but controversy remains with regards to its risks. We aimed to quantify the risk of being born small for gestational age (SGA) and very SGA (VSGA) associated with MARs overall and by type, namely ovarian stimulators (OS) and assisted reproductive technology (ART). We conducted a cohort study within the Quebec Pregnancy Cohort. Pregnancies coinciding with Quebec’s MAR reimbursement PROGRAM period (2010–2014) with a singleton liveborn were considered. MAR was first defined dichotomously, using spontaneous conception as the reference, and categorized into three subgroups: OS alone (categorized as clomiphene and non-clomiphene OS), ART, OS/ART combined. SGA was defined as being born with a birth weight below the 10th percentile based on sex and gestational age (GA), estimated using populational curves in Canada, while VSGA was defined as being born with a birth weight below the 3rd percentile. We then estimated odds ratios (OR) for the association between MAR and SGA as well as VSGA using generalized estimated equation (GEE) models, adjusted for potential confounders (aOR). Two independent models were conducted considering MAR exposure overall, and MAR subgroup categories, using spontaneous conceptions as the reference. The impact of prematurity status (less than 37 weeks gestation) as an effect modifier in these associations was assessed by evaluating them among term and preterm pregnancies separately. A total of 57,631 pregnancies met inclusion criteria and were considered. During the study period, 2,062 women were exposed to MARs: 420 to OS alone, 557 to ART, and 1,085 to OS/ART combined. While no association was observed between MAR and SGA nor VSGA in the study population, MAR was associated with an increased risk for SGA (aOR 1.69, 95% CI 1.08–2.66; 25 exposed cases) among preterm pregnancies; no increased risk of SGA was observed in term pregnancies. MARs are known to increase the risk of preterm birth and our results further confirm that they also increase the risk of SGA among preterm pregnancies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jessica Gorgui
- Research Center, CHU Sainte-Justine, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Montreal, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Odile Sheehy
- Research Center, CHU Sainte-Justine, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Jacquetta Trasler
- Departments of Pediatrics, Human Genetics and Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Anick Bérard
- Research Center, CHU Sainte-Justine, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Montreal, Montreal, QC, Canada
- *Correspondence: Anick Bérard,
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Kapron CM, Juriloff DM, Trasler J, Trasler TA, Hales BF. Daphne Trasler: In memoriam. Birth Defects Res 2021; 113:1427-1430. [PMID: 34800008 DOI: 10.1002/bdr2.1966] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Carolyn M Kapron
- Department of Biology, Trent University, Peterborough, Ontario, Canada
| | - Diana M Juriloff
- Department of Medical Genetics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Jacquetta Trasler
- Department of Human Genetics, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.,Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.,Department of Pediatrics, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.,Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | | | - Barbara F Hales
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Karahan G, Chan D, Shirane K, McClatchie T, Janssen S, Baltz JM, Lorincz M, Trasler J. Paternal MTHFR deficiency leads to hypomethylation of young retrotransposons and reproductive decline across two successive generations. Development 2021; 148:dev199492. [PMID: 34128976 PMCID: PMC8276981 DOI: 10.1242/dev.199492] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2021] [Accepted: 06/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
5,10-Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) is a crucial enzyme in the folate metabolic pathway with a key role in generating methyl groups. As MTHFR deficiency impacts male fertility and sperm DNA methylation, there is the potential for epimutations to be passed to the next generation. Here, we assessed whether the impact of MTHFR deficiency on testis morphology and sperm DNA methylation is exacerbated across generations in mouse. Although MTHFR deficiency in F1 fathers has only minor effects on sperm counts and testis weights and histology, F2 generation sons show further deterioration in reproductive parameters. Extensive loss of DNA methylation is observed in both F1 and F2 sperm, with >80% of sites shared between generations, suggestive of regions consistently susceptible to MTHFR deficiency. These regions are generally methylated during late embryonic germ cell development and are enriched in young retrotransposons. As retrotransposons are resistant to reprogramming of DNA methylation in embryonic germ cells, their hypomethylated state in the sperm of F1 males could contribute to the worsening reproductive phenotype observed in F2 MTHFR-deficient males, compatible with the intergenerational passage of epimutations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gurbet Karahan
- Department of Human Genetics, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 0C7, Canada
- Child Health and Human Development Program, Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC H4A 3J1, Canada
| | - Donovan Chan
- Child Health and Human Development Program, Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC H4A 3J1, Canada
| | - Kenjiro Shirane
- Department of Medical Genetics, Molecular Epigenetics Group, Life Sciences Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada
| | - Taylor McClatchie
- Chronic Disease Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, ON K1H 8L6, Canada
- Departments of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Ottawa Faculty of Medicine, Ottawa, ON K1H 8M5, Canada
| | - Sanne Janssen
- Department of Medical Genetics, Molecular Epigenetics Group, Life Sciences Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada
| | - Jay M. Baltz
- Chronic Disease Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, ON K1H 8L6, Canada
- Departments of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Ottawa Faculty of Medicine, Ottawa, ON K1H 8M5, Canada
| | - Matthew Lorincz
- Department of Medical Genetics, Molecular Epigenetics Group, Life Sciences Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada
| | - Jacquetta Trasler
- Department of Human Genetics, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 0C7, Canada
- Child Health and Human Development Program, Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC H4A 3J1, Canada
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 1A3, Canada
- Department of Pediatrics, McGill University, Montreal, QC H4A 3J1, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Lambrot R, Chan D, Shao X, Aarabi M, Kwan T, Bourque G, Moskovtsev S, Librach C, Trasler J, Dumeaux V, Kimmins S. Whole-genome sequencing of H3K4me3 and DNA methylation in human sperm reveals regions of overlap linked to fertility and development. Cell Rep 2021; 36:109418. [PMID: 34289352 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2021.109418] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2020] [Revised: 02/12/2021] [Accepted: 06/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The paternal environment has been linked to infertility and negative outcomes. Such effects may be transmitted via sperm through histone modifications. To date, in-depth profiling of the sperm chromatin in men has been limited. Here, we use deep sequencing to characterize the sperm profiles of histone H3 lysine 4 tri-methylation (H3K4me3) and DNA methylation in a representative reference population of 37 men. Our analysis reveals that H3K4me3 is localized throughout the genome and at genes for fertility and development. Remarkably, enrichment is also found at regions that escape epigenetic reprogramming in primordial germ cells, embryonic enhancers, and short-interspersed nuclear elements (SINEs). There is significant overlap in H3K4me3 and DNA methylation throughout the genome, suggesting a potential interplay between these marks previously reported to be mutually exclusive in sperm. Comparisons made between H3K4me3 marked regions in sperm and the embryonic transcriptome suggest an influence of paternal chromatin on embryonic gene expression.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Romain Lambrot
- Department of Animal Science, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Donovan Chan
- Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Xiaojian Shao
- Digital Technologies Research Centre, National Research Council, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Mahmoud Aarabi
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, North York General Hospital, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada; Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Tony Kwan
- Human Genetics, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | | | - Sergey Moskovtsev
- CReATe Fertility Centre, Toronto, ON, Canada; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Clifford Librach
- CReATe Fertility Centre, Toronto, ON, Canada; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Jacquetta Trasler
- Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC, Canada; Human Genetics, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada; Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada; Department of Pediatrics, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Vanessa Dumeaux
- PERFORM Center, Concordia University, Montreal, QC, Canada; Department of Biology, Concordia University, Montreal, QC, Canada.
| | - Sarah Kimmins
- Department of Animal Science, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada; Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada.
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Maurice C, Dalvai M, Lambrot R, Deschênes A, Scott-Boyer MP, McGraw S, Chan D, Côté N, Ziv-Gal A, Flaws JA, Droit A, Trasler J, Kimmins S, Bailey JL. Early-Life Exposure to Environmental Contaminants Perturbs the Sperm Epigenome and Induces Negative Pregnancy Outcomes for Three Generations via the Paternal Lineage. Epigenomes 2021; 5:epigenomes5020010. [PMID: 34968297 PMCID: PMC8594730 DOI: 10.3390/epigenomes5020010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2021] [Accepted: 04/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Due to the grasshopper effect, the Arctic food chain in Canada is contaminated with persistent organic pollutants (POPs) of industrial origin, including polychlorinated biphenyls and organochlorine pesticides. Exposure to POPs may be a contributor to the greater incidence of poor fetal growth, placental abnormalities, stillbirths, congenital defects and shortened lifespan in the Inuit population compared to non-Aboriginal Canadians. Although maternal exposure to POPs is well established to harm pregnancy outcomes, paternal transmission of the effects of POPs is a possibility that has not been well investigated. We used a rat model to test the hypothesis that exposure to POPs during gestation and suckling leads to developmental defects that are transmitted to subsequent generations via the male lineage. Indeed, developmental exposure to an environmentally relevant Arctic POPs mixture impaired sperm quality and pregnancy outcomes across two subsequent, unexposed generations and altered sperm DNA methylation, some of which are also observed for two additional generations. Genes corresponding to the altered sperm methylome correspond to health problems encountered in the Inuit population. These findings demonstrate that the paternal methylome is sensitive to the environment and that some perturbations persist for at least two subsequent generations. In conclusion, although many factors influence health, paternal exposure to contaminants plays a heretofore-underappreciated role with sperm DNA methylation contributing to the molecular underpinnings involved.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Clotilde Maurice
- Research Centre on Reproduction and Intergenerational Health, Department of Animal Sciences, Université Laval, Quebec City, QC G1V 0A6, Canada; (C.M.); (M.D.)
| | - Mathieu Dalvai
- Research Centre on Reproduction and Intergenerational Health, Department of Animal Sciences, Université Laval, Quebec City, QC G1V 0A6, Canada; (C.M.); (M.D.)
| | - Romain Lambrot
- Department of Animal Sciences, McGill University, Ste. Anne de Bellevue, Quebec, QC H9X 3V9, Canada; (R.L.); (S.K.)
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3G 1Y6, Canada
| | - Astrid Deschênes
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Research Center of CHU of Quebec City, Université Laval, Quebec City, QC G1V 4G, Canada; (A.D.); (M.-P.S.-B.); (A.D.)
| | - Marie-Pier Scott-Boyer
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Research Center of CHU of Quebec City, Université Laval, Quebec City, QC G1V 4G, Canada; (A.D.); (M.-P.S.-B.); (A.D.)
| | - Serge McGraw
- Research Center of CHU Sainte-Justine, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, Université de Montral, Montreal, QC H3T 1C5, Canada;
| | - Donovan Chan
- Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC H3Z 2Z3, Canada; (D.C.); (J.T.)
- Departments of Pediatrics, Human Genetics and Pharmacology & Therapeutics, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3Z 2Z3, Canada
| | - Nancy Côté
- Institut Universitaire de Cardiologie et de Pneumologie de Québec, Université Laval, Quebec City, QC G1V 4G5, Canada;
| | - Ayelet Ziv-Gal
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, IL 61802, USA; (A.Z.-G.); (J.A.F.)
| | - Jodi A. Flaws
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, IL 61802, USA; (A.Z.-G.); (J.A.F.)
| | - Arnaud Droit
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Research Center of CHU of Quebec City, Université Laval, Quebec City, QC G1V 4G, Canada; (A.D.); (M.-P.S.-B.); (A.D.)
| | - Jacquetta Trasler
- Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC H3Z 2Z3, Canada; (D.C.); (J.T.)
- Departments of Pediatrics, Human Genetics and Pharmacology & Therapeutics, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3Z 2Z3, Canada
| | - Sarah Kimmins
- Department of Animal Sciences, McGill University, Ste. Anne de Bellevue, Quebec, QC H9X 3V9, Canada; (R.L.); (S.K.)
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3G 1Y6, Canada
| | - Janice L. Bailey
- Research Centre on Reproduction and Intergenerational Health, Department of Animal Sciences, Université Laval, Quebec City, QC G1V 0A6, Canada; (C.M.); (M.D.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-418-643-3230
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Kumaran K, Krishnaveni GV, Suryanarayana KG, Prasad MP, Belavendra A, Atkinson S, Balasubramaniam R, Bandsma RHJ, Bhutta ZA, Chandak GR, Comelli EM, Davidge ST, Dennis CL, Hammond GL, Jha P, Joseph KS, Joshi SR, Krishna M, Lee K, Lye S, McGowan P, Nepomnaschy P, Padvetnaya V, Pyne S, Sachdev HS, Sahariah SA, Singhal N, Trasler J, Yajnik CS, Baird J, Barker M, Martin MC, Husain N, Sellen D, Fall CHD, Shah PS, Matthews SG. Protocol for a cluster randomised trial evaluating a multifaceted intervention starting preconceptionally-Early Interventions to Support Trajectories for Healthy Life in India (EINSTEIN): a Healthy Life Trajectories Initiative (HeLTI) Study. BMJ Open 2021; 11:e045862. [PMID: 33593789 PMCID: PMC7888364 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2020-045862] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The Healthy Life Trajectories Initiative is an international consortium comprising four harmonised but independently powered trials to evaluate whether an integrated intervention starting preconceptionally will reduce non-communicable disease risk in their children. This paper describes the protocol of the India study. METHODS AND ANALYSIS The study set in rural Mysore will recruit ~6000 married women over the age of 18 years. The village-based cluster randomised design has three arms (preconception, pregnancy and control; 35 villages per arm). The longitudinal multifaceted intervention package will be delivered by community health workers and comprise: (1) measures to optimise nutrition; (2) a group parenting programme integrated with cognitive-behavioral therapy; (3) a lifestyle behaviour change intervention to support women to achieve a diverse diet, exclusive breast feeding for the first 6 months, timely introduction of diverse and nutritious infant weaning foods, and adopt appropriate hygiene measures; and (4) the reduction of environmental pollution focusing on indoor air pollution and toxin avoidance.The primary outcome is adiposity in children at age 5 years, measured by fat mass index. We will report on a host of intermediate and process outcomes. We will collect a range of biospecimens including blood, urine, stool and saliva from the mothers, as well as umbilical cord blood, placenta and specimens from the offspring.An intention-to-treat analysis will be adopted to assess the effect of interventions on outcomes. We will also undertake process and economic evaluations to determine scalability and public health translation. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION The study has been approved by the institutional ethics committee of the lead institute. Findings will be published in peer-reviewed journals. We will interact with policy makers at local, national and international agencies to enable translation. We will also share the findings with the participants and local community through community meetings, newsletters and local radio. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER ISRCTN20161479, CTRI/2020/12/030134; Pre-results.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kalyanaraman Kumaran
- Epidemiology Research Unit, CSI Holdsworth Memorial Hospital, Mysore, Karnataka, India
- MRC Lifecourse Epidemiology Unit, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | | | - Kumar Gavali Suryanarayana
- Department of Academics and Research, Vivekananda Memorial Hospital, Saragur, Karnataka, India
- Development Support, Swami Vivekananda Youth Movement, Mysore, India
| | - Manohar Prabhu Prasad
- Department of Academics and Research, Vivekananda Memorial Hospital, Saragur, Karnataka, India
| | | | - Stephanie Atkinson
- Department of Paediatrics, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | | | - Robert H J Bandsma
- Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Paediatrics and Nutritional Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Zulfiqar A Bhutta
- Centre for Global Child Health, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Nutritional Sciences and Division of Epidemiology, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Giriraj Ratan Chandak
- Genomic Research on Complex Diseases, CSIR - Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology, Hyderabad, Telangana, India
| | - Elena M Comelli
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Joannah and Brian Lawson Centre for Child Nutrition, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Sandra T Davidge
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Cindy-Lee Dennis
- Lawrence S. Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing and Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, St. Michael's Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Geoffrey L Hammond
- Department of Cellular & Physiological Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Prabhat Jha
- Epidemiology Division, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - K S Joseph
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Sadhana R Joshi
- Nutritional Medicine Division, Interactive Research School for Health Affairs, Bharati Vidyapeeth, Pune, India
| | - Murali Krishna
- Foundation for Research and Advocacy in Mental Health (FRAMe), Mysore, India
| | - Kang Lee
- Department of Applied Psychology and Human Development, OISE/University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Stephen Lye
- Alliance for Human Development, Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Sinai Health System, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Departments of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Physiology, and Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Patrick McGowan
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Toronto Scarborough, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Pablo Nepomnaschy
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Vivek Padvetnaya
- Jindal School of Government and Public Policy, O.P. Jindal Global University, Sonipat, Haryana, India
| | - Saumyadipta Pyne
- Public Health Dynamics Lab and Department of Biostatistics, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
- Health Analytics Network, Pennsylvania, Harrisburg, USA
| | - Harshpal Singh Sachdev
- Department of Pediatrics and Clinical Epidemiology, Sitaram Bhartia Institute of Science and Research, New Delhi, India
| | - Sirazul Ameen Sahariah
- Reproductive Maternal Newborn Child and Adolescent Health and Nutrition, MAMTA Health Institute for Mother and Child, New Delhi, Delhi, India
| | - Nalini Singhal
- Department of Paediatrics, University of Calgary, Calgary, Mull, Canada
| | - Jacquetta Trasler
- Departments of Pediatrics, Human Genetics, and Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | | | - Janis Baird
- MRC Lifecourse Epidemiology Unit, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
- NIHR Southampton Biomedical Research Centre, Southampton, UK
| | - Mary Barker
- MRC Lifecourse Epidemiology Unit, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
- NIHR Southampton Biomedical Research Centre, Southampton, UK
| | - Marie-Claude Martin
- Alliance for Human Development, Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Sinai Health System, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Nusrat Husain
- Division of Psychology and Mental Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Daniel Sellen
- Joannah and Brian Lawson Centre for Child Nutrition, Department of Nutritional Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Anthropology, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Caroline H D Fall
- MRC Lifecourse Epidemiology Unit, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - Prakesh S Shah
- Department of Paediatrics, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Paediatrics and Institute of Health Policy Management and Evaluation, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Stephen G Matthews
- Alliance for Human Development, Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Sinai Health System, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Departments of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Physiology, and Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Maruvada P, Stover PJ, Mason JB, Bailey RL, Davis CD, Field MS, Finnell RH, Garza C, Green R, Gueant JL, Jacques PF, Klurfeld DM, Lamers Y, MacFarlane AJ, Miller JW, Molloy AM, O'Connor DL, Pfeiffer CM, Potischman NA, Rodricks JV, Rosenberg IH, Ross SA, Shane B, Selhub J, Stabler SP, Trasler J, Yamini S, Zappalà G. Knowledge gaps in understanding the metabolic and clinical effects of excess folates/folic acid: a summary, and perspectives, from an NIH workshop. Am J Clin Nutr 2020; 112:1390-1403. [PMID: 33022704 PMCID: PMC7657327 DOI: 10.1093/ajcn/nqaa259] [Citation(s) in RCA: 81] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2020] [Accepted: 08/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Folate, an essential nutrient found naturally in foods in a reduced form, is present in dietary supplements and fortified foods in an oxidized synthetic form (folic acid). There is widespread agreement that maintaining adequate folate status is critical to prevent diseases due to folate inadequacy (e.g., anemia, birth defects, and cancer). However, there are concerns of potential adverse effects of excess folic acid intake and/or elevated folate status, with the original concern focused on exacerbation of clinical effects of vitamin B-12 deficiency and its role in neurocognitive health. More recently, animal and observational studies have suggested potential adverse effects on cancer risk, birth outcomes, and other diseases. Observations indicating adverse effects from excess folic acid intake, elevated folate status, and unmetabolized folic acid (UMFA) remain inconclusive; the data do not provide the evidence needed to affect public health recommendations. Moreover, strong biological and mechanistic premises connecting elevated folic acid intake, UMFA, and/or high folate status to adverse health outcomes are lacking. However, the body of evidence on potential adverse health outcomes indicates the need for comprehensive research to clarify these issues and bridge knowledge gaps. Three key research questions encompass the additional research needed to establish whether high folic acid or total folate intake contributes to disease risk. 1) Does UMFA affect biological pathways leading to adverse health effects? 2) Does elevated folate status resulting from any form of folate intake affect vitamin B-12 function and its roles in sustaining health? 3) Does elevated folate intake, regardless of form, affect biological pathways leading to adverse health effects other than those linked to vitamin B-12 function? This article summarizes the proceedings of an August 2019 NIH expert workshop focused on addressing these research areas.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Padma Maruvada
- National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, NIH, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Patrick J Stover
- Texas A&M University College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Texas A&M University AgriLife, College Station, TX, USA
| | - Joel B Mason
- Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging, Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy, and School of Medicine, Tufts University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Regan L Bailey
- Department of Nutrition Science, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA
| | - Cindy D Davis
- Office of Dietary Supplements, NIH, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Martha S Field
- Division of Nutritional Sciences, College of Human Ecology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - Richard H Finnell
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Cutberto Garza
- Professor Emeritus, Division of Nutritional Sciences, College of Human Ecology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - Ralph Green
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of California, Davis Medical Center, Sacramento, CA, USA
| | - Jean-Louis Gueant
- University of Lorraine and University Regional Hospital Centre of Nancy, Nancy, France
| | - Paul F Jacques
- Tufts University Friedman School of Nutritional Science and Policy and the Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center, Boston, MA, USA
| | - David M Klurfeld
- Department of Nutrition, Food Safety, and Quality, USDA Agricultural Research Service, Beltsville, MD, USA
| | - Yvonne Lamers
- Food, Nutrition and Health Program, Faculty of Land and Food Systems, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | | | | | - Anne M Molloy
- School of Medicine, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Deborah L O'Connor
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | | | | | | | - Irwin H Rosenberg
- Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging, Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy, and School of Medicine, Tufts University, Boston, MA, USA
| | | | - Barry Shane
- Department of Nutritional Sciences & Toxicology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Jacob Selhub
- Tufts University Friedman School of Nutritional Science and Policy and the Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center, Boston, MA, USA
| | | | | | - Sedigheh Yamini
- Office of Nutrition and Food Labeling, Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, US FDA, College Park, MD, USA
| | - Giovanna Zappalà
- Division of Geriatrics and Clinical Gerontology, National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Robaire B, Eddy M, Goldberg E, Griswold M, Heckert L, McCarrey J, Orgebin-Crist MC, Papadopoulos V, Trasler J, Wright W, Yan W, Zirkin B. Celebrating the Silver Anniversary of the North American Testis Workshop. Andrology 2020; 8:820-824. [PMID: 31968155 DOI: 10.1111/andr.12756] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/01/2020] [Revised: 01/11/2020] [Accepted: 01/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To provide an overview of the history of the North American Testis Workshop (NATW), of its relationship to the American Society of Andrology (ASA), and of the publications that resulted from the first 25 workshops. METHODS The collection of volumes and journal articles that relate to the NATW was searched. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION During the first twenty-five meetings of the NATW, a remarkable number of breakthroughs regarding every aspect of the testis were presented. We anticipate that with the acceleration of new genetic, epigenetic, and molecular knowledge of the functions of testicular cells, we will continue to learn about the discovery of new and clinically important aspects of testicular function during the next twenty-five NATWs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bernard Robaire
- Departments of Pharmacology and Therapeutics and of Obstetrics and Gynecology, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Mitch Eddy
- Reproductive and Developmental Biology Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
| | - Erwin Goldberg
- Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Cell Biology, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA
| | - Michael Griswold
- School of Molecular Biosciences and Center for Reproductive Biology, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, USA
| | - Leslie Heckert
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Kansas, Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, USA
| | - John McCarrey
- Department of Biology, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | | | - Vassilios Papadopoulos
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Jacquetta Trasler
- Departments of Genetics, of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, and of Pediatrics, McGill University, Montreal, QC, USA
| | - William Wright
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Wei Yan
- Departments of Physiology and Cell Biology, of Obstetrics and Gynecology, and of Biology, Reno School of Medicine, University of Nevada, Reno, NV, USA
| | - Barry Zirkin
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Ly L, Chan D, Landry M, Angle C, Martel J, Trasler J. Impact of mothers' early life exposure to low or high folate on progeny outcome and DNA methylation patterns. Environ Epigenet 2020; 6:dvaa018. [PMID: 33240529 PMCID: PMC7673481 DOI: 10.1093/eep/dvaa018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2020] [Revised: 09/03/2020] [Accepted: 09/19/2020] [Indexed: 05/14/2023]
Abstract
The dynamic patterning of DNA and histone methylation during oocyte development presents a potentially susceptible time for epigenetic disruption due to early life environmental exposure of future mothers. We investigated whether maternal exposure to folic acid deficient and supplemented diets starting in utero could affect oocytes and cause adverse developmental and epigenetic effects in next generation progeny. Female BALB/c mice (F0) were placed on one of four amino acid defined diets for 4 weeks before pregnancy and throughout gestation and lactation: folic acid control (rodent recommended daily intake; Ctrl), 7-fold folic acid deficient, 10-fold folic acid supplemented or 20-fold folic acid supplemented diets. F1 female pups were weaned onto Ctrl diets, mated to produce the F2 generation and the F2 offspring were examined at E18.5 for developmental and epigenetic abnormalities. Resorption rates were increased and litter sizes decreased amongst F2 E18.5-day litters in the 20-fold folic acid supplemented group. Increases in abnormal embryo outcomes were observed in all three folic acid deficient and supplemented groups. Subtle genome-wide DNA methylation alterations were found in the placentas and brains of F2 offspring in the 7-fold folic acid deficient , 10-fold folic acid supplemented and 20-fold folic acid supplemented groups; in contrast, global and imprinted gene methylation were not affected. The findings show that early life female environmental exposures to both low and high folate prior to oocyte maturation can compromise oocyte quality, adversely affecting offspring of the next generation, in part by altering DNA methylation patterns.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lundi Ly
- Department of Human Genetics, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Donovan Chan
- Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Mylène Landry
- Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Camille Angle
- Department of Pharmacology & Therapeutics, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Josée Martel
- Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Jacquetta Trasler
- Department of Human Genetics, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Department of Pharmacology & Therapeutics, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Department of Pediatrics, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Correspondence address. Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, 1001 Boulevard Décarie, Block E.M.0.3211, Montreal, QC, Canada H4A 3J1. Tel: +1-514-934-1934 (ext. 25235); Fax: +1-514-933-9673; E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Gorgui J, Sheehy O, Trasler J, Fraser W, Bérard A. Medically assisted reproduction and the risk of preterm birth: a case-control study using data from the Quebec Pregnancy Cohort. CMAJ Open 2020; 8:E206-E213. [PMID: 32193281 PMCID: PMC7089760 DOI: 10.9778/cmajo.20190082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The use of fertility treatments has been growing over the past decade, but these treatments are not without risk. We aimed to quantify the risk of preterm birth associated with the use of ovarian stimulators (OS) and assisted reproductive technologies (ART) overall and by type of fertility treatment. METHODS We conducted a case-control analysis of data from the Quebec Pregnancy Cohort. We included singleton pregnancies ending in a live birth during the time when Quebec operated a universal reimbursement program for assisted reproduction (2010-2015). Fertility treatments were defined dichotomously, and pregnancies resulting from spontaneous conception were used as the reference. We categorized fertility treatments into subgroups: ovarian stimulators alone, ART alone and OS and ART combined. Preterm birth was defined as birth before 37 weeks' gestation. We estimated odds ratios (ORs) for the association between type of assisted reproduction and preterm birth using generalized estimating equation models and adjusted ORs for potential confounders. RESULTS A total of 57 624 pregnancies were included in the study. During the study period, 2055 pregnancies were conceived through the use of OS, ART or both: 419 involved OS alone, 150 involved ART alone and 1486 involved both OS and ART. When we adjusted for potential confounders, conception with OS, ART or both was associated with an increased risk of preterm birth (adjusted OR 1.46, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.25-1.72, 182 exposed cases). All types of assisted reproduction were associated with an increased risk of preterm birth compared with pregnancies conceived spontaneously (OS alone: adjusted OR 1.47, 95% CI 1.04-2.07; ART alone: adjusted OR 1.76, 95% CI 1.01-3.06; OS and ART combined: adjusted OR 1.43, 95% CI 1.19-1.73). Use of OS or ART or both was associated with an increased risk of late, moderate and extremely preterm birth (extremely preterm birth: adjusted OR 2.39, 95% CI 1.30-4.39). INTERPRETATION Compared with pregnancies conceived spontaneously, pregnancies conceived through the use of OS, ART or both were associated with a 46% increased risk of preterm birth. Physicians should advise patients of the increased risks of late, moderate and extremely preterm birth so that they can make informed choices.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jessica Gorgui
- Research Centre (Gorgui, Sheehy, Bérard), Centre hospitalier universitaire Sainte-Justine; Faculty of Pharmacy (Gorgui, Bérard), University of Montréal; Departments of Pediatrics, Human Genetics and Pharmacology, and Therapeutics and Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre (Trasler), McGill University, Montréal, Que.; Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences (Fraser), University of Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Que
| | - Odile Sheehy
- Research Centre (Gorgui, Sheehy, Bérard), Centre hospitalier universitaire Sainte-Justine; Faculty of Pharmacy (Gorgui, Bérard), University of Montréal; Departments of Pediatrics, Human Genetics and Pharmacology, and Therapeutics and Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre (Trasler), McGill University, Montréal, Que.; Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences (Fraser), University of Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Que
| | - Jacquetta Trasler
- Research Centre (Gorgui, Sheehy, Bérard), Centre hospitalier universitaire Sainte-Justine; Faculty of Pharmacy (Gorgui, Bérard), University of Montréal; Departments of Pediatrics, Human Genetics and Pharmacology, and Therapeutics and Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre (Trasler), McGill University, Montréal, Que.; Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences (Fraser), University of Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Que
| | - William Fraser
- Research Centre (Gorgui, Sheehy, Bérard), Centre hospitalier universitaire Sainte-Justine; Faculty of Pharmacy (Gorgui, Bérard), University of Montréal; Departments of Pediatrics, Human Genetics and Pharmacology, and Therapeutics and Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre (Trasler), McGill University, Montréal, Que.; Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences (Fraser), University of Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Que
| | - Anick Bérard
- Research Centre (Gorgui, Sheehy, Bérard), Centre hospitalier universitaire Sainte-Justine; Faculty of Pharmacy (Gorgui, Bérard), University of Montréal; Departments of Pediatrics, Human Genetics and Pharmacology, and Therapeutics and Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre (Trasler), McGill University, Montréal, Que.; Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences (Fraser), University of Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Que.
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Choufani S, Turinsky AL, Melamed N, Greenblatt E, Brudno M, Bérard A, Fraser WD, Weksberg R, Trasler J, Monnier P. Impact of assisted reproduction, infertility, sex and paternal factors on the placental DNA methylome. Hum Mol Genet 2019; 28:372-385. [PMID: 30239726 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddy321] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2018] [Accepted: 08/29/2018] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Children conceived using Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ART) have a higher incidence of growth and birth defects, attributable in part to epigenetic perturbations. Both ART and germline defects associated with parental infertility could interfere with epigenetic reprogramming events in germ cells or early embryos. Mouse models indicate that the placenta is more susceptible to the induction of epigenetic abnormalities than the embryo, and thus the placental methylome may provide a sensitive indicator of 'at risk' conceptuses. Our goal was to use genome-wide profiling to examine the extent of epigenetic abnormalities in matched placentas from an ART/infertility group and control singleton pregnancies (n = 44/group) from a human prospective longitudinal birth cohort, the Design, Develop, Discover (3D) Study. Principal component analysis revealed a group of ART outliers. The ART outlier group was enriched for females and a subset of placentas showing loss of methylation of several imprinted genes including GNAS, SGCE, KCNQT1OT1 and BLCAP/NNAT. Within the ART group, placentas from pregnancies conceived with in vitro fertilization (IVF)/intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) showed distinct epigenetic profiles as compared to those conceived with less invasive procedures (ovulation induction, intrauterine insemination). Male factor infertility and paternal age further differentiated the IVF/ICSI group, suggesting an interaction of infertility and techniques in perturbing the placental epigenome. Together, the results suggest that the human placenta is sensitive to the induction of epigenetic defects by ART and/or infertility, and we stress the importance of considering both sex and paternal factors and that some but not all ART conceptuses will be susceptible.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sanaa Choufani
- Genetics and Genome Biology Program, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Andrei L Turinsky
- Genetics and Genome Biology Program, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Centre for Computational Medicine, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Nir Melamed
- Division of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Ellen Greenblatt
- Mount Sinai Centre for Fertility and Reproductive Health, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Michael Brudno
- Genetics and Genome Biology Program, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Centre for Computational Medicine, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Computer Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Anick Bérard
- Research Unit on Medications and Pregnancy, Research Centre, CHU Sainte-Justine, and Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Montreal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - William D Fraser
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Université de Sherbrooke and Centre de Recherche du CHUS, Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada
| | - Rosanna Weksberg
- Genetics and Genome Biology Program, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Division of Clinical and Metabolic Genetics, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Pediatrics and Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Jacquetta Trasler
- Departments of Pediatrics, Human Genetics and Pharmacology & Therapeutics, and The Montreal Children's Hospital and Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre
| | - Patricia Monnier
- MUHC Reproductive Centre, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Royal Victoria Hospital and Research Institute of McGill University Health Centre, Quebec, Canada
| | | |
Collapse
|
20
|
Aarabi M, Christensen KE, Chan D, Leclerc D, Landry M, Ly L, Rozen R, Trasler J. Testicular MTHFR deficiency may explain sperm DNA hypomethylation associated with high dose folic acid supplementation. Hum Mol Genet 2019; 27:1123-1135. [PMID: 29360980 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddy021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2017] [Accepted: 01/09/2018] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Supplementation with high doses of folic acid, an important mediator of one-carbon transfers for DNA methylation, is used clinically to improve sperm parameters in infertile men. We recently detected an unexpected loss of DNA methylation in the sperm of idiopathic infertile men after 6 months of daily supplementation with 5 mg folic acid (>10× the daily recommended intake-DRI), exacerbated in men homozygous for a common variant in the gene encoding an important enzyme in folate metabolism, methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR 677C>T). To investigate the epigenomic impact and mechanism underlying effects of folic acid on male germ cells, wild-type and heterozygote mice for a targeted inactivation of the Mthfr gene were fed high-dose folic acid (10× the DRI) or control diets (CDs) for 6 months. No changes were detected in general health, sperm counts or methylation of imprinted genes. Reduced representation bisulfite sequencing revealed sperm DNA hypomethylation in Mthfr+/- mice on the 10× diets. Wild-type mice demonstrated sperm hypomethylation only with a very high dose (20×) of folic acid for 12 months. Testicular MTHFR protein levels decreased significantly in wild-type mice on the 20× diet but not in those on the 10× diet, suggesting a possible role for MTHFR deficiency in sperm DNA hypomethylation. In-depth analysis of the folic acid-exposed sperm DNA methylome suggested mouse/human susceptibility of sequences with potential importance to germ cell and embryo development. Our data provide evidence for a similar cross-species response to high dose folic acid supplementation, of sperm DNA hypomethylation, and implicate MTHFR downregulation as a possible mechanism.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mahmoud Aarabi
- Department of Human Genetics, McGill University, Montreal, QC H4A 3J1, Canada.,Child Health and Human Development Program, Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC H4A 3J1, Canada
| | - Karen E Christensen
- Child Health and Human Development Program, Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC H4A 3J1, Canada
| | - Donovan Chan
- Child Health and Human Development Program, Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC H4A 3J1, Canada
| | - Daniel Leclerc
- Child Health and Human Development Program, Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC H4A 3J1, Canada
| | - Mylène Landry
- Child Health and Human Development Program, Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC H4A 3J1, Canada
| | - Lundi Ly
- Department of Human Genetics, McGill University, Montreal, QC H4A 3J1, Canada.,Child Health and Human Development Program, Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC H4A 3J1, Canada
| | - Rima Rozen
- Department of Human Genetics, McGill University, Montreal, QC H4A 3J1, Canada.,Child Health and Human Development Program, Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC H4A 3J1, Canada.,Department of Pediatrics, McGill University, Montreal, QC H4A 3J1, Canada
| | - Jacquetta Trasler
- Department of Human Genetics, McGill University, Montreal, QC H4A 3J1, Canada.,Child Health and Human Development Program, Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC H4A 3J1, Canada.,Department of Pediatrics, McGill University, Montreal, QC H4A 3J1, Canada.,Department of Pharmacology & Therapeutics, McGill University, Montreal, QC H4A 3J1, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Ly L, Chan D, Aarabi M, Landry M, Behan NA, MacFarlane AJ, Trasler J. Intergenerational impact of paternal lifetime exposures to both folic acid deficiency and supplementation on reproductive outcomes and imprinted gene methylation. Mol Hum Reprod 2018; 23:461-477. [PMID: 28535307 DOI: 10.1093/molehr/gax029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2016] [Accepted: 05/19/2017] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
STUDY QUESTION Do paternal exposures to folic acid deficient (FD), and/or folic acid supplemented (FS) diets, throughout germ cell development adversely affect male germ cells and consequently offspring health outcomes? SUMMARY ANSWER Male mice exposed over their lifetimes to both FD and FS diets showed decreased sperm counts and altered imprinted gene methylation with evidence of transmission of adverse effects to the offspring, including increased postnatal-preweaning mortality and variability in imprinted gene methylation. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY There is increasing evidence that disruptions in male germ cell epigenetic reprogramming are associated with offspring abnormalities and intergenerational disease. The fetal period is the critical time of DNA methylation pattern acquisition for developing male germ cells and an adequate supply of methyl donors is required. In addition, DNA methylation patterns continue to be remodeled during postnatal spermatogenesis. Previous studies have shown that lifetime (prenatal and postnatal) folic acid deficiency can alter the sperm epigenome and increase the incidence of fetal morphological abnormalities. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION Female BALB/c mice (F0) were placed on one of four amino-acid defined diets for 4 weeks before pregnancy and throughout pregnancy and lactation: folic acid control (Ctrl; 2 mg/kg), 7-fold folic acid deficient (7FD; 0.3 mg/kg), 10-fold high FS (10FS, 20 mg/kg) or 20-fold high FS (20FS, 40 mg/kg) diets. F1 males were weaned to their respective prenatal diets to allow for diet exposure during all windows of germline epigenetic reprogramming: the erasure, re-establishment and maintenance phases. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTINGS, METHODS F0 females were mated with chow-fed males to produce F1 litters whose germ cells were exposed to the diets throughout embryonic development. F1 males were subsequently mated with chow-fed female mice. Two F2 litters, unexposed to the experimental diets, were generated from each F1 male; one litter was collected at embryonic day (E)18.5 and one delivered and followed postnatally. DNA methylation at a global level and at the differentially methylated regions of imprinted genes (H19, Imprinted Maternally Expressed Transcript (Non-Protein Coding)-H19, Small Nuclear Ribonucleoprotein Polypeptide N-Snrpn, KCNQ1 Opposite Strand/Antisense Transcript 1 (Non-Protein Coding)-Kcnq1ot1, Paternally Expressed Gene 1-Peg1 and Paternally Expressed Gene 3-Peg3) was assessed by luminometric methylation analysis and bisulfite pyrosequencing, respectively, in F1 sperm, F2 E18.5 placenta and F2 E18.5 brain cortex. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE F1 males exhibited lower sperm counts following lifetime exposure to both folic acid deficiency and the highest dose of folic acid supplementation (20FS), (both P < 0.05). Post-implantation losses were increased amongst F2 E18.5 day litters from 20FS exposed F1 males (P < 0.05). F2 litters derived from both 7FD and 20FS exposed F1 males had significantly higher postnatal-preweaning pup death (both P < 0.05). Sperm from 10FS exposed males had increased variance in methylation across imprinted gene H19, P < 0.05; increased variance at a few sites within H19 was also found for the 7FD and 20FS groups (P < 0.05). While the 20FS diet resulted in inter-individual alterations in methylation across the imprinted genes Snrpn and Peg3 in F2 E18.5 placenta, ≥50% of individual sites tested in Peg1 and/or Peg3 were affected in the 7FD and 10FS groups. Inter-individual alterations in Peg1 methylation were found in F2 E18.5 day 10FS group brain cortex (P < 0.05). LARGE SCALE DATA Not applicable. LIMITATIONS REASONS FOR CAUTION The cause of the increase in postnatal-preweaning mortality was not investigated post-mortem. Further studies are required to understand the mechanisms underlying the adverse effects of folic acid deficiency and supplementation on developing male germ cells. Genome-wide DNA and histone methylome studies as well as gene expression studies are required to better understand the links between folic acid exposures, an altered germ cell epigenome and offspring outcomes. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS The findings of this study provide further support for paternally transmitted environmental effects. The results indicate that both folic acid deficiency and high dose supplementation can be detrimental to germ cell development and reproductive fitness, in part by altering DNA methylation in sperm. STUDY FUNDING AND COMPETING INTERESTS This study was supported by a grant to J.M.T. from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR #89944). The authors declare they have no conflicts of interest.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lundi Ly
- Department of Human Genetics, McGill University, 1205 Dr. Penfield Avenue, Montréal, QC, Canada H3A 1B1.,Child Health and Human Development Program (CHHD), Research Institute of McGill University Health Centre, 1001 Decarie Blvd, Westmount, QC, Canada H4A 3J1
| | - Donovan Chan
- Child Health and Human Development Program (CHHD), Research Institute of McGill University Health Centre, 1001 Decarie Blvd, Westmount, QC, Canada H4A 3J1
| | - Mahmoud Aarabi
- Department of Human Genetics, McGill University, 1205 Dr. Penfield Avenue, Montréal, QC, Canada H3A 1B1.,Child Health and Human Development Program (CHHD), Research Institute of McGill University Health Centre, 1001 Decarie Blvd, Westmount, QC, Canada H4A 3J1
| | - Mylène Landry
- Child Health and Human Development Program (CHHD), Research Institute of McGill University Health Centre, 1001 Decarie Blvd, Westmount, QC, Canada H4A 3J1
| | - Nathalie A Behan
- Nutrition Research Division, Health Canada, 251 Promenade Sir Frederick Banting Driveway, Ottawa, ON, Canada K1A 0K9
| | - Amanda J MacFarlane
- Nutrition Research Division, Health Canada, 251 Promenade Sir Frederick Banting Driveway, Ottawa, ON, Canada K1A 0K9
| | - Jacquetta Trasler
- Department of Human Genetics, McGill University, 1205 Dr. Penfield Avenue, Montréal, QC, Canada H3A 1B1.,Child Health and Human Development Program (CHHD), Research Institute of McGill University Health Centre, 1001 Decarie Blvd, Westmount, QC, Canada H4A 3J1.,Pharmacology & Therapeutics, 3655 Prom. Sir William Osler, Montreal, QC, Canada H3G 1Y6
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Wen SW, Tan H, Retnakaran R, Shen M, Zhou S, Xie RH, Smith GN, Davidge ST, Trasler J, Walker MC. Pre-gravid Determinants of New onset Hypertension in Pregnancy–Results from a Pre-conception Cohort Study in China. Ann Epidemiol 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.annepidem.2017.07.120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
|
23
|
Wen SW, Tan H, Retnakaran R, Shen M, Zhou S, Xie RH, Smith GN, Davidge ST, Trasler J, Walker MC. Pre-gravid predictors of new onset hypertension in pregnancy − Results from a pre-conception cohort study in China. Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol 2017; 214:140-144. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejogrb.2017.05.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2017] [Accepted: 05/08/2017] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
|
24
|
Fraser WD, Shapiro GD, Audibert F, Dubois L, Pasquier J, Julien P, Bérard A, Muckle G, Trasler J, Tremblay RE, Abenhaim H, Welt M, Bédard M, Bissonnette F, Bujold E, Gagnon R, Michaud JL, Girard I, Moutquin J, Marc I, Monnier P, Séguin JR, Luo Z. 3D Cohort Study: The Integrated Research Network in Perinatology of Quebec and Eastern Ontario. Paediatr Perinat Epidemiol 2016; 30:623-632. [PMID: 27781295 PMCID: PMC5113695 DOI: 10.1111/ppe.12320] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The 3D Cohort Study (Design, Develop, Discover) was established to help bridge knowledge gaps about the links between various adverse exposures during pregnancy with birth outcomes and later health outcomes in children. METHODS Pregnant women and their partners were recruited during the first trimester from nine sites in Quebec and followed along with their children through to 2 years of age. Questionnaires were administered during pregnancy and post-delivery to collect information on demographics, mental health and life style, medical history, psychosocial measures, diet, infant growth, and neurodevelopment. Information on the delivery and newborn outcomes were abstracted from medical charts. Biological specimens were collected from mothers during each trimester, fathers (once during the pregnancy), and infants (at delivery and 2 years of age) for storage in a biological specimen bank. RESULTS Of the 9864 women screened, 6348 met the eligibility criteria and 2366 women participated in the study (37% of eligible women). Among women in the 3D cohort, 1721 of their partners (1704 biological fathers) agreed to participate (73%). Two thousand two hundred and nineteen participants had a live singleton birth (94%). Prenatal blood and urine samples as well as vaginal secretions were collected for ≥98% of participants, cord blood for 81% of livebirths, and placental tissue for 89% of livebirths. CONCLUSIONS The 3D Cohort Study combines a rich bank of multiple biological specimens with extensive clinical, life style, and psychosocial data. This data set is a valuable resource for studying the developmental etiology of birth and early childhood neurodevelopmental outcomes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- William D. Fraser
- Université de MontréalMontrealQCCanada,Centre hospitalier universitaire Sainte‐JustineMontrealQCCanada,Centre de recherche du Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de SherbrookeMontrealQCCanada
| | - Gabriel D. Shapiro
- Centre hospitalier universitaire Sainte‐JustineMontrealQCCanada,McGill UniversityMontrealQCCanada,McGill University Health CentreMontrealQCCanada
| | - François Audibert
- Université de MontréalMontrealQCCanada,Centre hospitalier universitaire Sainte‐JustineMontrealQCCanada
| | | | - Jean‐Charles Pasquier
- Centre de recherche du Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de SherbrookeMontrealQCCanada
| | | | - Anick Bérard
- Université de MontréalMontrealQCCanada,Centre hospitalier universitaire Sainte‐JustineMontrealQCCanada
| | - Gina Muckle
- Université LavalMontrealQCCanada,Centre de recherche du Centre hospitalier universitaire de Québec‐Université LavalMontrealQCCanada
| | - Jacquetta Trasler
- McGill UniversityMontrealQCCanada,McGill University Health CentreMontrealQCCanada
| | - Richard E. Tremblay
- Université de MontréalMontrealQCCanada,Centre hospitalier universitaire Sainte‐JustineMontrealQCCanada
| | | | - Michel Welt
- Université de MontréalMontrealQCCanada,Hôpital du Sacré‐Cœur de MontréalMontrealQCCanada
| | | | | | | | - Robert Gagnon
- McGill UniversityMontrealQCCanada,McGill University Health CentreMontrealQCCanada
| | - Jacques L. Michaud
- Université de MontréalMontrealQCCanada,Centre hospitalier universitaire Sainte‐JustineMontrealQCCanada
| | - Isabelle Girard
- CIUSSS de l'ouest de l'île de MontréalHôpital St. Mary'sMontrealQCCanada
| | - Jean‐Marie Moutquin
- Centre de recherche du Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de SherbrookeMontrealQCCanada
| | | | - Patricia Monnier
- McGill University Health CentreMontrealQCCanada,Research Institute of the McGill University Health CentreMontrealQCCanada
| | - Jean R. Séguin
- Université de MontréalMontrealQCCanada,Centre hospitalier universitaire Sainte‐JustineMontrealQCCanada
| | - Zhong‐Cheng Luo
- Université de MontréalMontrealQCCanada,Centre hospitalier universitaire Sainte‐JustineMontrealQCCanada
| | | |
Collapse
|
25
|
Shen M, Tan H, Zhou S, Retnakaran R, Smith GN, Davidge ST, Trasler J, Walker MC, Wen SW. Serum Folate Shows an Inverse Association with Blood Pressure in a Cohort of Chinese Women of Childbearing Age: A Cross-Sectional Study. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0155801. [PMID: 27182603 PMCID: PMC4868331 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0155801] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2016] [Accepted: 05/04/2016] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Background It has been reported that higher folate intake from food and supplementation is associated with decreased blood pressure (BP). The association between serum folate concentration and BP has been examined in few studies. We aim to examine the association between serum folate and BP levels in a cohort of young Chinese women. Methods We used the baseline data from a pre-conception cohort of women of childbearing age in Liuyang, China, for this study. Demographic data were collected by structured interview. Serum folate concentration was measured by immunoassay, and homocysteine, blood glucose, triglyceride and total cholesterol were measured through standardized clinical procedures. Multiple linear regression and principal component regression model were applied in the analysis. Results A total of 1,532 healthy normotensive non-pregnant women were included in the final analysis. The mean concentration of serum folate was 7.5 ± 5.4 nmol/L and 55% of the women presented with folate deficiency (< 6.8 nmol/L). Multiple linear regression and principal component regression showed that serum folate levels were inversely associated with systolic and diastolic BP, after adjusting for demographic, anthropometric, and biochemical factors. Conclusions Serum folate is inversely associated with BP in non-pregnant women of childbearing age with high prevalence of folate deficiency.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Minxue Shen
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, School of Public Health, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, People’s Republic of China
- OMNI Research Group, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
- Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Clinical Epidemiology Program, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Hongzhuan Tan
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, School of Public Health, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, People’s Republic of China
| | - Shujin Zhou
- Liuyang Maternal and Child Hospital, Department of maternal and child health care, Liuyang, Hunan, People’s Republic of China
| | - Ravi Retnakaran
- Division of Endocrinology, Department of Medicine, Mount Sinai Hospital and University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Graeme N. Smith
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Queen’s University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
| | - Sandra T. Davidge
- Women and Children’s Health Research Institute, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
- Department of Physiology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Jacquetta Trasler
- Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Department of Human Genetics, Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre at The Montreal Children’s Hospital, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre at The Montreal Children’s Hospital, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Mark C. Walker
- OMNI Research Group, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
- Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Clinical Epidemiology Program, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
- School of Epidemiology, Public Health, and Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Shi Wu Wen
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, School of Public Health, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, People’s Republic of China
- OMNI Research Group, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
- Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Clinical Epidemiology Program, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
- School of Epidemiology, Public Health, and Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
- * E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Siklenka K, Erkek S, Godmann M, Lambrot R, McGraw S, Lafleur C, Cohen T, Xia J, Suderman M, Hallett M, Trasler J, Peters AHFM, Kimmins S. Disruption of histone methylation in developing sperm impairs offspring health transgenerationally. Science 2015; 350:aab2006. [PMID: 26449473 DOI: 10.1126/science.aab2006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 320] [Impact Index Per Article: 35.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2015] [Accepted: 09/18/2015] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
A father's lifetime experiences can be transmitted to his offspring to affect health and development. However, the mechanisms underlying paternal epigenetic transmission are unclear. Unlike in somatic cells, there are few nucleosomes in sperm, and their function in epigenetic inheritance is unknown. We generated transgenic mice in which overexpression of the histone H3 lysine 4 (H3K4) demethylase KDM1A (also known as LSD1) during spermatogenesis reduced H3K4 dimethylation in sperm. KDM1A overexpression in one generation severely impaired development and survivability of offspring. These defects persisted transgenerationally in the absence of KDM1A germline expression and were associated with altered RNA profiles in sperm and offspring. We show that epigenetic inheritance of aberrant development can be initiated by histone demethylase activity in developing sperm, without changes to DNA methylation at CpG-rich regions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Keith Siklenka
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Faculty of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Serap Erkek
- Friedrich Miescher Institute for Biomedical Research (FMI), CH-4058 Basel, Switzerland. Faculty of Sciences, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Maren Godmann
- Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Romain Lambrot
- Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Serge McGraw
- Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Christine Lafleur
- Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Tamara Cohen
- Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Jianguo Xia
- Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Institute of Parasitology, Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Matthew Suderman
- MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unity, School of Social and Community Medicine, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Michael Hallett
- McGill Centre for Bioinformatics, School of Computer Science, Faculty of Science, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Jacquetta Trasler
- Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Department of Human Genetics and Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre at the Montreal Children's Hospital, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Antoine H F M Peters
- Friedrich Miescher Institute for Biomedical Research (FMI), CH-4058 Basel, Switzerland. Faculty of Sciences, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland.
| | - Sarah Kimmins
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Faculty of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Aarabi M, San Gabriel MC, Chan D, Behan NA, Caron M, Pastinen T, Bourque G, MacFarlane AJ, Zini A, Trasler J. High-dose folic acid supplementation alters the human sperm methylome and is influenced by the MTHFR C677T polymorphism. Hum Mol Genet 2015; 24:6301-13. [PMID: 26307085 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddv338] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2015] [Accepted: 08/17/2015] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Dietary folate is a major source of methyl groups required for DNA methylation, an epigenetic modification that is actively maintained and remodeled during spermatogenesis. While high-dose folic acid supplementation (up to 10 times the daily recommended dose) has been shown to improve sperm parameters in infertile men, the effects of supplementation on the sperm epigenome are unknown. To assess the impact of 6 months of high-dose folic acid supplementation on the sperm epigenome, we studied 30 men with idiopathic infertility. Blood folate concentrations increased significantly after supplementation with no significant improvements in sperm parameters. Methylation levels of the differentially methylated regions of several imprinted loci (H19, DLK1/GTL2, MEST, SNRPN, PLAGL1, KCNQ1OT1) were normal both before and after supplementation. Reduced representation bisulfite sequencing (RRBS) revealed a significant global loss of methylation across different regions of the sperm genome. The most marked loss of DNA methylation was found in sperm from patients homozygous for the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) C677T polymorphism, a common polymorphism in a key enzyme required for folate metabolism. RRBS analysis also showed that most of the differentially methylated tiles were located in DNA repeats, low CpG-density and intergenic regions. Ingenuity Pathway Analysis revealed that methylation of promoter regions was altered in several genes involved in cancer and neurobehavioral disorders including CBFA2T3, PTPN6, COL18A1, ALDH2, UBE4B, ERBB2, GABRB3, CNTNAP4 and NIPA1. Our data reveal alterations of the human sperm epigenome associated with high-dose folic acid supplementation, effects that were exacerbated by a common polymorphism in MTHFR.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mahmoud Aarabi
- Department of Human Genetics, Montreal Children's Hospital and Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC, Canada H4A 3J1
| | - Maria C San Gabriel
- Division of Urology, Department of Surgery and, Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC, Canada H4A 3J1
| | - Donovan Chan
- Montreal Children's Hospital and Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC, Canada H4A 3J1
| | - Nathalie A Behan
- Nutrition Research Division, Health Canada, Ottawa, ON, Canada K1A 0K9 and
| | - Maxime Caron
- Department of Human Genetics, McGill University and Genome Quebec Innovation Centre, Montreal, QC, Canada H3A 1A4
| | - Tomi Pastinen
- Department of Human Genetics, McGill University and Genome Quebec Innovation Centre, Montreal, QC, Canada H3A 1A4
| | - Guillaume Bourque
- Department of Human Genetics, McGill University and Genome Quebec Innovation Centre, Montreal, QC, Canada H3A 1A4
| | | | - Armand Zini
- Division of Urology, Department of Surgery and, Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC, Canada H4A 3J1
| | - Jacquetta Trasler
- Department of Human Genetics, Departments of Pediatrics and Pharmacology & Therapeutics, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada H4A 3J1, Montreal Children's Hospital and Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC, Canada H4A 3J1,
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Wang SP, Wu JW, Bourdages H, Lefebvre JF, Casavant S, Leavitt BR, Labuda D, Trasler J, Smith CE, Hermo L, Mitchell GA. The catalytic function of hormone-sensitive lipase is essential for fertility in male mice. Endocrinology 2014; 155:3047-53. [PMID: 24797631 DOI: 10.1210/en.2014-1031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
In male mice, deficiency of hormone sensitive lipase (HSL, Lipe gene, E.C.3.1.1.3) causes deficient spermatogenesis, azoospermia, and infertility. Postmeiotic germ cells express a specific HSL isoform that includes a 313 amino acid N-terminus encoded by a testis-specific exon (exon T1). The remainder of testicular HSL is identical to adipocyte HSL. The amino acid sequence of the testis-specific exon is poorly conserved, showing only a 46% amino acid identity with orthologous human and rat sequences, compared with 87% over the remainder of the HSL coding sequence, providing no evidence in favor of a vital functional role for the testis-specific N-terminus of HSL. However, exon T1 is important for Lipe transcription; in mouse testicular mRNA, we identified 3 major Lipe transcription start sites, finding numerous testicular transcription factor binding motifs upstream of the transcription start site. We directly explored two possible mechanisms for the infertility of HSL-deficient mice, using mice that expressed mutant HSL transgenes only in postmeiotic germ cells on a HSL-deficient background. One transgene expressed human HSL lacking enzyme activity but containing the testis-specific N-terminus (HSL-/-muttg mice). The other transgene expressed catalytically inactive HSL with the testis-specific N-terminal peptide (HSL-/-atg mice). HSL-/-muttg mice were infertile, with abnormal histology of the seminiferous epithelium and absence of spermatozoa in the epididymal lumen. In contrast, HSL-/-atg mice had normal fertility and normal testicular morphology. In conclusion, whereas the catalytic function of HSL is necessary for spermatogenesis in mice, the presence of the N-terminal testis-specific fragment is not essential.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shu Pei Wang
- Divisions of Medical Genetics (S.P.W., J.W.W., H.B., S.C., G.A.M.) and Hematology (J.F.L., D.L.), Department of Pediatrics, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Sainte-Justine and Faculty of Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada, H3T 1C5; Valeant Cosméderme (H.B.), Laval, Québec, Canada, H7V 0A3; Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics (B.R.L.), Department of Medical Genetics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, V5Z 4H4; Department of Pediatrics (J.T.), Human Genetics and Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University and Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre at the Montreal Children's Hospital, Montréal, Québec, Canada, H3H 1P3; and Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology (C.E.S., L.H.), McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada, H3A 2B2
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
29
|
Luo ML, Tan HZ, Xie RH, Zhou SJ, Retnakaran R, Smith G, Walker MC, Davidge ST, Trasler J, Wen SW. Maternal exposure to the production of fireworks and reduced rate of new onset hypertension in pregnancy. Hypertens Pregnancy 2014; 33:457-66. [PMID: 25068526 DOI: 10.3109/10641955.2014.938752] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Carbon monoxide (CO) is one of the main substances contained in fireworks. Previous studies suggested that CO may have protective effect on the development of hypertension of pregnancy. METHOD The authors conducted a prospective cohort study in Liuyang, Hunan, China between January 2010 and December 2011. Demographic and life-style variables of the participating pregnant women were obtained through structured interview with the women and clinical data were retrieved from antenatal medical records. Density of fireworks factories was defined as the number of fireworks factories per 1000 residents in the township where the mothers resided during pregnancy. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to analyze the independent association between maternal exposure to the production of fireworks and new onset hypertension in pregnancy. RESULTS A total of 5976 pregnant women were included in the final analysis. Density of fireworks factories was inversely correlated with incidence of new onset hypertension in pregnancy (Pearson correlation coefficient = -0.29, p < 0.001). Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that, compared with women who resided during pregnancy in a township with 0-0.25 fireworks factories per 1000 residents, the rates of new onset hypertension in pregnancy in women who resided in a township with 0.26-1.00 fireworks factories per 1000 residents (Odds Ratio = 0.66, 95% confidence interval: 0.46, 0.96) and >1.5 fireworks factories per 1000 residents (Odds Ratio = 0.65, 95% confidence interval: 0.44, 0.97) were reduced by more than 30%. CONCLUSION Maternal exposure to the high density of fireworks factories is associated with reduced risk of developing new onset hypertension in pregnancy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mei-Ling Luo
- School of Public Health, Central South University , Changsha , China
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
30
|
Agarwal M, Nitta R, Dovat S, Li G, Arita H, Narita Y, Fukushima S, Tateishi K, Matsushita Y, Yoshida A, Miyakita Y, Ohno M, Collins VP, Kawahara N, Shibui S, Ichimura K, Kahn SA, Gholamin S, Junier MP, Chneiweiss H, Weissman I, Mitra S, Cheshier S, Avril T, Hamlat A, Le Reste PJ, Mosser J, Quillien V, Carrato C, Munoz-Marmol A, Serrano L, Pijuan L, Hostalot C, Villa SL, Ariza A, Etxaniz O, Balana C, Benveniste ET, Zheng Y, McFarland B, Drygin D, Bellis S, Bredel M, Lotsch D, Engelmaier C, Allerstorfer S, Grusch M, Pichler J, Weis S, Hainfellner J, Marosi C, Spiegl-Kreinecker S, Berger W, Bronisz A, Nowicki MO, Wang Y, Ansari K, Chiocca EA, Godlewski J, Brown K, Kwatra M, Brown K, Kwatra M, Bui T, Nitta R, Li G, Zhu S, Kozono D, Li J, Kushwaha D, Carter B, Chen C, Schulte J, Srikanth M, Das S, Zhang J, Lathia J, Yin L, Rich J, Olson E, Kessler J, Chenn A, Cherry A, Haas B, Lin YH, Ong SE, Stella N, Cifarelli CP, Griffin RJ, Cong D, Zhu W, Shi Y, Clark P, Kuo J, Hu S, Sun D, Bookland M, Darbinian N, Dey A, Robitaille M, Remke M, Faury D, Maier C, Malhotra A, Jabado N, Taylor M, Angers S, Kenney A, Ren X, Zhou H, Schur M, Baweja A, Singh M, Erdreich-Epstein A, Fu J, Koul D, Yao J, Saito N, Zheng S, Verhaak R, Lu Z, Yung WKA, Gomez G, Volinia S, Croce C, Brennan C, Cavenee W, Furnari F, Lopez SG, Qu D, Petritsch C, Gonzalez-Huarriz M, Aldave G, Ravi D, Rubio A, Diez-Valle R, Marigil M, Jauregi P, Vera B, Rocha AADL, Tejada-Solis S, Alonso MM, Gopal U, Isaacs J, Gruber-Olipitz M, Dabral S, Ramkissoon S, Kung A, Pak E, Chung J, Theisen M, Sun Y, Monrose V, Franchetti Y, Sun Y, Shulman D, Redjal N, Tabak B, Beroukhim R, Zhao J, Buonamici S, Ligon K, Kelleher J, Segal R, Haas B, Canton D, Diaz P, Scott J, Stella N, Hara K, Kageji T, Mizobuchi Y, Kitazato K, Okazaki T, Fujihara T, Nakajima K, Mure H, Kuwayama K, Hara T, Nagahiro S, Hill L, Botfield H, Hossain-Ibrahim K, Logan A, Cruickshank G, Liu Y, Gilbert M, Kyprianou N, Rangnekar V, Horbinski C, Hu Y, Vo C, Li Z, Ke C, Ru N, Hess KR, Linskey ME, Zhou YAH, Hu F, Vinnakota K, Wolf S, Kettenmann H, Jackson PJ, Larson JD, Beckmann DA, Moriarity BS, Largaespada DA, Jalali S, Agnihotri S, Singh S, Burrell K, Croul S, Zadeh G, Kang SH, Yu MO, Song NH, Park KJ, Chi SG, Chung YG, Kim SK, Kim JW, Kim JY, Kim JE, Choi SH, Kim TM, Lee SH, Kim SK, Park SH, Kim IH, Park CK, Jung HW, Koldobskiy M, Ahmed I, Ho G, Snowman A, Raabe E, Eberhart C, Snyder S, Agnihotri S, Gugel I, Remke M, Bornemann A, Pantazis G, Mack S, Shih D, Sabha N, Taylor M, Tatagiba M, Zadeh G, Krischek B, Schulte A, Liffers K, Kathagen A, Riethdorf S, Westphal M, Lamszus K, Lee JS, Xiao J, Patel P, Schade J, Wang J, Deneen B, Erdreich-Epstein A, Song HR, Leiss L, Gjerde C, Saed H, Rahman A, Lellahi M, Enger PO, Leung R, Gil O, Lei L, Canoll P, Sun S, Lee D, Ho ASW, Pu JKS, Zhang XQ, Lee NP, Dat PJR, Leung GKK, Loetsch D, Steiner E, Holzmann K, Spiegl-Kreinecker S, Pirker C, Hlavaty J, Petznek H, Hegedus B, Garay T, Mohr T, Sommergruber W, Grusch M, Berger W, Lukiw WJ, Jones BM, Zhao Y, Bhattacharjee S, Culicchia F, Magnus N, Garnier D, Meehan B, McGraw S, Hashemi M, Lee TH, Milsom C, Gerges N, Jabado N, Trasler J, Pawlinski R, Mackman N, Rak J, Maherally Z, Thorne A, An Q, Barbu E, Fillmore H, Pilkington G, Maherally Z, Tan SL, Tan S, An Q, Fillmore H, Pilkington G, Malhotra A, Choi S, Potts C, Ford DA, Nahle Z, Kenney AM, Matlaf L, Khan S, Zider A, Singer E, Cobbs C, Soroceanu L, McFarland BC, Hong SW, Rajbhandari R, Twitty GB, Gray GK, Yu H, Benveniste EN, Nozell SE, Minata M, Kim S, Mao P, Kaushal J, Nakano I, Mizowaki T, Sasayama T, Tanaka K, Mizukawa K, Nishihara M, Nakamizo S, Tanaka H, Kohta M, Hosoda K, Kohmura E, Moeckel S, Meyer K, Leukel P, Bogdahn U, Riehmenschneider MJ, Bosserhoff AK, Spang R, Hau P, Mukasa A, Watanabe A, Ogiwara H, Saito N, Aburatani H, Mukherjee J, Obha S, See W, Pieper R, Nakajima K, Hara K, Kageji T, Mizobuchi Y, Kitazato K, Fujihara T, Otsuka R, Kung D, Nagahiro S, Rajbhandari R, Sinha T, Meares G, Benveniste EN, Nozell S, Ott M, Litzenburger U, Rauschenbach K, Bunse L, Pusch S, Ochs K, Sahm F, Opitz C, von Deimling A, Wick W, Platten M, Peruzzi P, Chiocca EA, Godlewski J, Read R, Fenton T, Gomez G, Wykosky J, Vandenberg S, Babic I, Iwanami A, Yang H, Cavenee W, Mischel P, Furnari F, Thomas J, Ronellenfitsch MW, Thiepold AL, Harter PN, Mittelbronn M, Steinbach JP, Rybakova Y, Kalen A, Sarsour E, Goswami P, Silber J, Harinath G, Aldaz B, Fabius AWM, Turcan S, Chan TA, Huse JT, Sonabend AM, Bansal M, Guarnieri P, Lei L, Soderquist C, Leung R, Yun J, Kennedy B, Sisti J, Bruce S, Bruce R, Shakya R, Ludwig T, Rosenfeld S, Sims PA, Bruce JN, Califano A, Canoll P, Stockhausen MT, Kristoffersen K, Olsen LS, Poulsen HS, Stringer B, Day B, Barry G, Piper M, Jamieson P, Ensbey K, Bruce Z, Richards L, Boyd A, Sufit A, Burleson T, Le JP, Keating AK, Sundstrom T, Varughese JK, Harter P, Prestegarden L, Petersen K, Azuaje F, Tepper C, Ingham E, Even L, Johnson S, Skaftnesmo KO, Lund-Johansen M, Bjerkvig R, Ferrara K, Thorsen F, Takeshima H, Yamashita S, Yokogami K, Mizuguchi S, Nakamura H, Kuratsu J, Fukushima T, Morishita K, Tanaka H, Sasayama T, Tanaka K, Nakamizo S, Mizukawa K, Kohmura E, Tang Y, Vaka D, Chen S, Ponnuswami A, Cho YJ, Monje M, Tateishi K, Narita Y, Nakamura T, Cahill D, Kawahara N, Ichimura K, Tiemann K, Hedman H, Niclou SP, Timmer M, Tjiong R, Rohn G, Goldbrunner R, Timmer M, Tjiong R, Stavrinou P, Rohn G, Perrech M, Goldbrunner R, Tokita M, Mikheev S, Sellers D, Mikheev A, Kosai Y, Rostomily R, Tritschler I, Seystahl K, Schroeder JJ, Weller M, Wade A, Robinson AE, Phillips JJ, Gong Y, Ma Y, Cheng Z, Thompson R, Wang J, Fan QW, Cheng C, Gustafson W, Charron E, Zipper P, Wong R, Chen J, Lau J, Knobbe-Thosen C, Weller M, Jura N, Reifenberger G, Shokat K, Weiss W, Wu S, Fu J, Zheng S, Koul D, Yung WKA, Wykosky J, Hu J, Taylor T, Villa GR, Gomez G, Mischel PS, Gonias SL, Cavenee W, Furnari F, Yamashita D, Kondo T, Takahashi H, Inoue A, Kohno S, Harada H, Ohue S, Ohnishi T, Li P, Ng J, Yuelling L, Du F, Curran T, Yang ZJ, Zhu D, Castellino RC, Van Meir EG, Zhu W, Begum G, Wang Q, Clark P, Yang SS, Lin SH, Kahle K, Kuo J, Sun D. CELL BIOLOGY AND SIGNALING. Neuro Oncol 2013. [DOI: 10.1093/neuonc/not174] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
|
31
|
Saferali A, Moussette S, Chan D, Trasler J, Chen T, Rozen R, Naumova AK. DNA methyltransferase 1 (Dnmt1) mutation affects Snrpn imprinting in the mouse male germ line. Genome 2012; 55:673-82. [PMID: 22967183 DOI: 10.1139/g2012-056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
DNA methylation and DNA methyltransferases are essential for spermatogenesis. Mutations in the DNA methyltransferase Dnmt1 gene exert a paternal effect on epigenetic states and phenotypes of offspring, suggesting that DNMT1 is important for the epigenetic remodeling of the genome that takes place during spermatogenesis. However, the specific role of DNMT1 in spermatogenesis and the establishment of genomic imprints in the male germ line remains elusive. To further characterize the effect of DNMT1 deficiency on the resetting of methylation imprints during spermatogenesis, we analyzed the methylation profiles of imprinted regions in the spermatozoa of mice that were heterozygous for a Dnmt1 loss-of-function mutation. The mutation did not affect the H19 or IG differentially methylated regions (DMRs) that are usually highly methylated but led to a partial hypermethylation of the Snrpn DMR, a region that should normally be unmethylated in mature spermatozoa. This defect does not appear in mouse models with mutations in Dnmt3a and Mthfr genes and, therefore, it is specific for the Dnmt1 gene and is suggestive of a role of DNMT1 in imprint resetting or maintenance in the male germ line.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Aabida Saferali
- Department of Human Genetics, McGill University, Montréal, QC H3A 1B1, Canada
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
32
|
Yauk CL, Lucas Argueso J, Auerbach SS, Awadalla P, Davis SR, DeMarini DM, Douglas GR, Dubrova YE, Elespuru RK, Glover TW, Hales BF, Hurles ME, Klein CB, Lupski JR, Manchester DK, Marchetti F, Montpetit A, Mulvihill JJ, Robaire B, Robbins WA, Rouleau GA, Shaughnessy DT, Somers CM, Taylor JG, Trasler J, Waters MD, Wilson TE, Witt KL, Bishop JB. Harnessing genomics to identify environmental determinants of heritable disease. Mutat Res 2012; 752:6-9. [PMID: 22935230 DOI: 10.1016/j.mrrev.2012.08.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2012] [Revised: 08/17/2012] [Accepted: 08/19/2012] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Next-generation sequencing technologies can now be used to directly measure heritable de novo DNA sequence mutations in humans. However, these techniques have not been used to examine environmental factors that induce such mutations and their associated diseases. To address this issue, a working group on environmentally induced germline mutation analysis (ENIGMA) met in October 2011 to propose the necessary foundational studies, which include sequencing of parent-offspring trios from highly exposed human populations, and controlled dose-response experiments in animals. These studies will establish background levels of variability in germline mutation rates and identify environmental agents that influence these rates and heritable disease. Guidance for the types of exposures to examine come from rodent studies that have identified agents such as cancer chemotherapeutic drugs, ionizing radiation, cigarette smoke, and air pollution as germ-cell mutagens. Research is urgently needed to establish the health consequences of parental exposures on subsequent generations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Scott S Auerbach
- National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, United States
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Kristine L Witt
- National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, United States
| | - Jack B Bishop
- National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, United States
| |
Collapse
|
33
|
Corbett H, Baltz J, Trasler J, Slow S, Lever M. The Mechanism of Betaine Accumulation by Mouse Oocytes. Biol Reprod 2012. [DOI: 10.1093/biolreprod/87.s1.297] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
|
34
|
Farag M, Niles K, Trasler J. DNA Methylation Defects in Prenatal and Postnatal Germ Cells of Dnmt3L Haploinsufficient Male Mice. Biol Reprod 2012. [DOI: 10.1093/biolreprod/87.s1.271] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
|
35
|
Caballero P, Alonso J, Cortes S, Caballero Campo M, Gago M, Nunez-Calonge R, Ricciarelli E, Gomez Palomares JL, Bruna Catalan I, Hernandez ER, Grzegorczyk-Martin V, Belaisch-Allart J, Mayenga JM, Kulski O, Plachot M, Darby HC, Florensa Bargallo M, Perals Vazquez N, Esbert Algam M, Belles Fernandez M, Ballesteros Boluda A, Calderon de Oya G, Alegre de Miquel M, Choudhary M, Ramineni A, Stewart J, Cabello Y, Ricciarelli E, Fernandez-Shaw S, Mercader A, Herrer R, Arroyo G, Del Rio F, Carrera M, Fernandez Sanchez M, Sumimoto T, Kataoka N, Ogata H, Mizuta S, Tokura Y, Yamada S, Ogata S, Mizusawa Y, Matsumoto Y, Okamoto E, Kokeguchi S, Shiotani M, Nagai Y, Otsuki J, Maeda K, Momma Y, Takahashi K, Chuko M, Miwa A, Nagai A, Seggers J, Haadsma ML, La Bastide-van Gemert S, Heineman MJ, Kok JH, Middelburg KJ, Roseboom TJ, Schendelaar P, Van den Heuvel ER, Hadders-Algra M, Schendelaar P, Hadders-Algra M, Heineman MJ, Jongbloed-Pereboom M, La Bastide-Van Gemert S, Middelburg KJ, Van den Heuvel ER, Heineman KR, Schendelaar P, Middelburg KJ, Bos AF, Heineman MJ, Kok JH, La Bastide-Van Gemert S, Seggers J, Van den Heuvel ER, Hadders-Algra M, Kondapalli LA, Shaunik A, Molinaro TA, Ratcliffe SJ, Barnhart KT, Haadsma M, Seggers J, Bos AF, Heineman MJ, Keating P, Middelburg KJ, Van Hoften JC, Veenstra-Knol HE, Kok JH, Cobben JM, Hadders-Algra M, Pirkevi C, Atayurt Z, Yelke H, Kahraman S, Desmyttere S, Verpoest W, Haentjens P, Verheyen G, Liebaers I, Bonduelle M, Winter C, Van Acker F, Desmyttere S, De Schrijver F, Bonduelle M, Nekkebroeck J, Pariente-Khayat A, de Laubier A, Fehily D, Lemardeley G, Merlet F, Creusvaux H, Nakajo Y, Sakamoto E, Doshida M, Toya M, Nasu I, Kyono K, Schats R, Vergouw CG, Kostelijk EH, Doejaaren E, Hompes PGA, Lambalk CB, Nakamura Y, Takisawa T, Shibuya Y, Sato Y, Sato K, Kyono K, Berard A, Chaabane S, Sheehy O, Blais L, Fraser W, Bissonnette F, Monnier P, Tan SL, Trasler J, Subramaniam A, Chiappetta R, Mania A, Trew G, Lavery SA, van den Akker O, Purewal S, Bunnell C, Lashen H, Terriou P, Giorgetti C, Porcu-Buisson G, Roger V, Chinchole JM, Hamon V, Allemand-Sourieu J, Cravello L, Moreau J, Chabert-Orsini V, Belva F, Roelants M, De Schepper J, Roseboom TJ, Bonduelle M, Devroey P, Painter RC, Machin L, Fearon K, Morishima K, Fujimoto A, Oishi H, Hirata T, Harada M, Hasegawa A, Osuga Y, Yano T, Kozuma S, Taketani Y. QUALITY AND SAFETY OF ART THERAPIES. Hum Reprod 2012. [DOI: 10.1093/humrep/27.s2.86] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
|
36
|
Troude P, Bailly E, Guibert J, Bouyer J, de La Rochebrochard E, Velez MP, Abad G, Robert JM, Bissonnette F, Kadoch IJ, Oudi M, Sazvar S, Alizadeh L, Ezabadi Z, Samani Omani R, Monnier P, Sheehy O, Fraser W, Bissonnette F, Tan SL, Trasler J, Chaabane S, Berard A, Nelson SM, Lawlor DA, Kasius JC, Eijkemans MJC, Mol BW, Fauser BC, Broekmans FJM, Farquhar C, Riddel C, MacDonald A, Raj N, Chan E, Mol BW, van den Boogaard N, Nikitin SV, Karpeev SA, Karpova SV. POSTER VIEWING SESSION - REPRODUCTIVE EPIDEMIOLOGY AND HEALTH ECONOMY. Hum Reprod 2011. [DOI: 10.1093/humrep/26.s1.91] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
|
37
|
Martel J, Fortier A, Landry M, McGraw S, Cirio C, Chaillet JR, Trasler J. Sex-Specific Abnormalities in Placentae of Conceptuses from DNA-Methyltransferase 1o (Dnmt1o) Deficient Females. Biol Reprod 2009. [DOI: 10.1093/biolreprod/81.s1.271] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
|
38
|
Lee M, Slow S, Fortier A, Lever M, Garrow T, Trasler J, Baltz JM. A Major Source of Methyl Groups in Blastocysts May Be Betaine Stored by Pre-Implantation Embryos until Betaine Homocysteine Methyltransferase (BHMT) Is Transiently Expressed at High Levels in the Inner Cell Mass. Biol Reprod 2009. [DOI: 10.1093/biolreprod/81.s1.141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
|
39
|
Turek P, Burnett A, Sigman M, Perreault S, Cornwall G, Chau K, Smith J, Prins G, Trasler J, Walsh T, Lamb D. 2008 Annual Meeting of the American Society of Andrology. Meeting summary. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2009; 30:e2-9. [PMID: 19269933 DOI: 10.2164/jandrol.109.007872] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
|
40
|
Chan D, Delbes G, Smiraglia D, Robaire B, Trasler J. Identification of Brown Norway Rat Genomic Loci Altered in Germ Cell Methylation Patterns Due to Combination Chemotherapy for Testicular Cancer. Biol Reprod 2008. [DOI: 10.1093/biolreprod/78.s1.193b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
|
41
|
Delbes G, Chan D, Hales B, Trasler J, Robaire B. Selective Induction of Glutathione S-transferases in Round Spematids by the Chemotherapeutic Regimen for Testicular Cancer in the Brown-Norway Rat. Biol Reprod 2008. [DOI: 10.1093/biolreprod/78.s1.228] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
|
42
|
Hermo L, Chung S, Gregory M, Smith CE, Wang SP, El-Alfy M, Cyr DG, Mitchell GA, Trasler J. Alterations in the testis of hormone sensitive lipase-deficient mice is associated with decreased sperm counts, sperm motility, and fertility. Mol Reprod Dev 2008; 75:565-77. [PMID: 17886267 DOI: 10.1002/mrd.20800] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Hormone-sensitive lipase (HSL, Lipe, E.C.3.1.1.3) functions as a triglyceride and cholesteryl esterase, supplying fatty acids, and cholesterol to cells. Gene-targeted HSL-deficient (HSL(-/-)) mice reveal abnormal spermatids and are infertile at 24 weeks after birth. The purpose of this study was to follow the evolution of spermatid abnormalities as HSL(-/-) mice age, characterize sperm motility in older HSL(-/-) mice, and determine if mice expressing a human testicular HSL transgene (HSL(-/-)ttg) produce normal motile sperm. In situ hybridization indicated that HSL is expressed exclusively in steps 5-16 spermatids, but not in Sertoli cells. In HSL(-/-) mice, abnormalities were evident in step 16 spermatids at 5 weeks after birth, with defects progressively increasing in spermatids with age. The defects included multinucleation of spermatids, abnormal shapes and a reduction of elongating spermatids. In older HSL(-/-) mice, sperm counts appeared reduced by 42%, but this value was lower because samples were compromised by the presence of small degenerating germ cells in addition to sperm, both of which appeared of similar size and density. Sperm motility was dramatically reduced with only 11% classified as motile in HSL(-/-) mice compared to 76-78% of sperm in wild-type and HSL(-/-)ttg mice. Sperm morphology, counts, and motility were normal in HSL(-/-)ttg mice, as was their fertility. Collectively, the data indicate that HSL deficiency results in abnormal spermatid development with defects arising at 5 weeks of age and progressively increasing at later ages. HSL(-/-) mice also show a dramatic reduction in sperm counts and motility and are infertile.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Louis Hermo
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
43
|
Niles K, La Salle S, Oakes C, Trasler J. Examination of the dynamics of global DNA methylation pattern establishment during spermatogenesiss. CLIN INVEST MED 2007. [DOI: 10.25011/cim.v30i4.2868] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
Background: DNA methylation is an epigenetic modification involved in gene expression, genome stability, and genomic imprinting. In the male, methylation patterns are initially erased in primordial germ cells (PGCs) as they enter the gonadal ridge; methylation patterns are then acquired on CpG dinucleotides during gametogenesis. Correct pattern establishment is essential for normal spermatogenesis. To date, the characterization and timing of methylation pattern acquisition in PGCs has been described using a limited number of specific gene loci. This study aimed to describe DNA methylation pattern establishment dynamics during male gametogenesis through global methylation profiling techniques in a mouse model.
Methods: Using a chromosome based approach, primers were designed for 24 regions spanning chromosome 9; intergenic, non-repeat, non-CpG island sequences were chosen for study based on previous evidence that these types of sequences are targets for testis-specific methylation events. The percent methylation was determined in each region by quantitative analysis of DNA methylation using real-time PCR (qAMP). The germ cell-specific pattern was determined by comparing methylation between spermatozoa and liver. To examine methylation in developing germ cells, spermatogonia from 2 day- and 6 day-old Oct4-GFP (green fluorescent protein) mice were isolated using fluorescence activated cell sorting.
Results: As compared to liver, four loci were hypomethylated and five loci were hypermethylated in spermatozoa, supporting previous results indicating a unique methylation pattern in male germ cells. Only one region was hypomethylated and no regions were hypermethylated in day 6 spermatogonia as compared to mature spermatozoa, signifying that the bulk of DNA methylation is established prior to type A spermatogonia. The methylation in day 2 spermatogonia, germ cells that are just commencing mitosis, revealed differences of 15-20% compared to day 6 spermatogonia at five regions indicating that the most crucial phase of DNA methylation acquisition occurs prenatally.
Conclusion: Together, these studies provide further evidence that germ cell methylation patterns differ from those in somatic tissues and suggest that much of methylation at intergenic sites is acquired during prenatal germ cell development. (Supported by CIHR)
Collapse
|
44
|
Martel J, Fortier A, Verona R, Bartolomei M, Chaillet JR, Trasler J. EFFECT OF THE ABSENCE OF THE OOCYTE-DERIVED Dnmt1o PROTEIN: CONSEQUENCES OF EPIGENETIC MOSAICISM ON POSTIMPLANTATION EMBRYOS AND PLACENTAE. Biol Reprod 2007. [DOI: 10.1093/biolreprod/77.s1.164] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
|
45
|
Cushnie D, Chan D, Neaga O, Lawrence A, Rima R, Trasler J. MTHFR-DEFICIENT MICE AS A MODEL FOR EPIGENETIC DISTURBANCE OF SPERMATOGENESIS THROUGH FOLATE PATHWAY DISRUPTION. Biol Reprod 2007. [DOI: 10.1093/biolreprod/77.s1.149a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
|
46
|
Bailey J, Evans JP, Hardy M, Herr JC, Loveland K, Matsumoto A, Trasler J, Turek PJ, Vasquez-Levin M, Wang C. Synopsis: 2005 Annual Meeting of the American Society of Andrology. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2005; 26:678-88. [PMID: 16291961 DOI: 10.2164/jandrol.05125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
|
47
|
Bedard N, Hingamp P, Pang Z, Karaplis A, Morales C, Trasler J, Cyr D, Gagnon C, Wing SS. Mice lacking the UBC4-testis gene have a delay in postnatal testis development but normal spermatogenesis and fertility. Mol Cell Biol 2005; 25:6346-54. [PMID: 16024774 PMCID: PMC1190331 DOI: 10.1128/mcb.25.15.6346-6354.2005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Activation of ubiquitination occurs during spermatogenesis and is dependent on the induction of isoforms of the UBC4 family of ubiquitin-conjugating enzymes. The UBC4-testis isoform is testis specific, is induced in round spermatids, and demonstrates biochemical functions distinct from a ubiquitously expressed isoform UBC4-1. To explore further the function of UBC4-testis, mice bearing inactivation of this gene were produced. Homozygous (-/-) mice showed normal body growth and fertility. Although testis weight and morphology were normal in testes from adult mice, examination of young mice during the first wave of spermatogenesis revealed that testes were approximately 10% smaller in weight at 40 and 45 days of age but had become normal at 65 days of age. Overall protein content, levels of ubiquitinated proteins, and ubiquitin-conjugating activity did not differ between wild-type and homozygous (-/-) mice. Spermatid number, as well as the motility of spermatozoa isolated from the epididymis, was also normal in homozygous (-/-) mice. To determine whether the germ cells lacking UBC4-testis might be more sensitive to stress, testes from wild-type and knockout mice were exposed to heat stress by implantation in the abdominal cavity. Testes from both strains of mice showed similar rates of degeneration in response to heat. The lack of an obvious phenotype did not appear to be due to induction of other UBC4 isoforms, as shown by two-dimensional gel immunoblotting. Our data indicate that UBC4-testis plays a role in early maturation of the testis and suggest that the many UBC4 isoforms have mixed redundant and specific functions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nathalie Bedard
- Polypeptide Laboratory, Department of Medicine, McGill University, Strathcona Anatomy and Dentistry Bldg., Rm. W315, 3640 University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
48
|
Abstract
The Apc(Min/+) mouse is a popular animal model for studies of human colon cancer, but the molecular changes associated with neoplasia in this system have only been partially characterized. Our aim was to identify novel genes involved in tumorigenesis in this model. RNA from intestinal adenomas and from pre-neoplastic small intestine were prepared from six Apc(Min/+) mice. The tumor transcriptomes were analyzed with high-density oligonucleotide microarrays representing approximately 12,000 probe sets; we compared their profiles with those of matched pre-neoplastic intestine. Stringent analysis revealed reproducible changes for 98 probe sets representing 90 genes, including novel observations regarding 50 genes whose involvement in this mouse model has never been reported. In addition to the expected changes in growth regulatory genes, the altered gene products could be assigned to four functional groupings that should enhance tumorigenesis: metabolic changes that would result in a high rate of glycolysis, alterations in enzymes involved in reactive oxygen species or carcinogen metabolism, cytoskeletal elements, and proteins involved in tumor invasion or angiogenesis. A fifth group consisted of expression changes that might restrict tumor progression, suggesting that the adenomatous state reflects a balance of pro- and anti-tumorigenic factors. Since many of the altered genes had not previously been reported to be involved in any tumorigenic processes, our observations provide a host of new candidates for potential modulation to prevent or treat intestinal neoplasia.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Leclerc
- Department of Human Genetics, McGill University--Montreal Children's Hospital, Montreal, Quebec, Canada H3H 1P3
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
49
|
Wang SP, Chung S, Soni K, Bourdages H, Hermo L, Trasler J, Mitchell GA. Expression of human hormone-sensitive lipase (HSL) in postmeiotic germ cells confers normal fertility to HSL-deficient mice. Endocrinology 2004; 145:5688-93. [PMID: 15345679 DOI: 10.1210/en.2004-0919] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Hormone-sensitive lipase (HSL, Lipe, E.C.3.1.1.3) is a multifunctional fatty acyl esterase that is essential for male fertility and spermatogenesis and that also plays important roles in the function of adipocytes, pancreatic beta-cells, and adrenal cortical cells. Gene-targeted HSL-deficient (HSL-/-) male mice are infertile, have a 2-fold reduction in testicular mass, a 2-fold elevation of the ratio of esterified to free cholesterol in testis, and unique morphological abnormalities in round and elongating spermatids. Postmeiotic germ cells in the testis express a specific HSL isoform. We created transgenic mice expressing a normal human testicular HSL cDNA from the mouse protamine-1 promoter, which mediates expression specifically in postmeiotic germ cells. Testicular cholesteryl esterase activity was undetectable in HSL-/- mice, but in HSL-/- males expressing the testicular transgene, activity was 2-fold greater than normal. HSL transgene mRNA became detectable in testes between 19 and 25 days of age, coinciding with the first wave of postmeiotic transcription in round spermatids. In contrast to nontransgenic HSL-/- mice, HSL-/- males expressing the testicular transgene were normal with respect to fertility, testicular mass, testicular esterified/free cholesterol ratio, and testicular histology. Their cauda epididymides contained abundant, normal-appearing spermatozoa. We conclude that human testicular HSL is functional in mouse testis and that the mechanism of infertility in HSL-deficient males is cell autonomous and resides in postmeiotic germ cells, because HSL expression in these cells is in itself sufficient to restore normal fertility.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shu Pei Wang
- Service of Medical Genetics, Hôpital Sainte-Justine, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
50
|
Trasler J, Deng L, Melnyk S, Pogribny I, Hiou-Tim F, Sibani S, Oakes C, Li E, James SJ, Rozen R. Impact of Dnmt1 deficiency, with and without low folate diets, on tumor numbers and DNA methylation in Min mice. Carcinogenesis 2003; 24:39-45. [PMID: 12538347 DOI: 10.1093/carcin/24.1.39] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Although a number of studies have suggested that diets with low intake of folate, an important methyl donor, are associated with increased risks of colon cancer and its precursor the adenomatous polyp, the underlying mechanisms are poorly understood. Dysregulation and instability of DNA methylation and alterations in the levels of the predominant DNA methylating enzyme, DNA (cytosine-5)-methyltransferase 1 (Dnmt1), have also been linked to tumorigenesis. We have used a combination of genetic and dietary manipulation to assess the effects of reduced Dnmt1 expression with and without folate deficiency on tumor induction in the Apc(Min) mouse. Apc(Min) mice with a reduction in Dnmt1 expression (Apc(Min/+)/Dnmt1(C/+)) had significantly lower tumor numbers than Apc(Min) mice with normal Dnmt1 (Apc(Min/+)/Dnmt1(+/+)). Dietary folate deficiency from weaning to 13 weeks of age did not affect tumor number or size in Apc(Min/+)/Dnmt(+/+) mice. However, in Apc(Min/+)/Dnmt1(C/+) mice with high baseline tumor numbers (41 +/- 4), folate deficiency was associated with a decreased absolute number of tumors (27 +/- 3), but a higher proportion of larger tumors as compared with mice on the control diet. In the repeat experiment, Apc(Min/+)/Dnmt1(C/+) mice had low baseline tumor numbers (20 +/- 2) and folate deficiency did not affect tumor number (23 +/- 4) or size as compared with the same mice on the control diet. These results suggest that, in the presence of Dnmt1 deficiency, the effects of folate deficiency on tumor number and size may depend on the stage of adenoma development when folate deficiency is initiated. We also show that folate deficiency with or without reductions in Dnmt1 did not affect overall genomic DNA methylation or the methylation levels of two candidate genes, E-cadherin or p53, in normal or neoplastic intestinal tissue. In conclusion, genetic deficiency in Dnmt1 with or without folate deficiency decreases tumor number in the Apc(Min) mouse model, but this effect may not be mediated by changes in SAM or SAH levels, nor by alterations in global methylation in the pre-neoplastic intestinal tissue.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jacquetta Trasler
- Department of Pediatrics, McGill University-Montreal Children's Hospital, 4060 Ste. Catherine St. West, Montreal, Quebec H3Z 2Z3, Canada
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|