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Chapter 9 - The Mechanistic and Predictive Utility of Sperm Epigenetics

from Section 2 - The Biology of Male Reproduction and Infertility

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  06 December 2023

By
Timothy G. Jenkins
Edited by
Douglas T. Carrell ,
Alexander W. Pastuszak  and
James M. Hotaling
Douglas T. Carrell
Affiliation:
Utah Center for Reproductive Medicine
Alexander W. Pastuszak
Affiliation:
University of Utah
James M. Hotaling
Affiliation:
Utah Center for Reproductive Medicine
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Summary

For many years sperm epigenetics has been a focus of studies hoping to identify novel mechanisms that drive infertility and offspring health abnormalities. This effort has yielded many exciting prospects but to date no direct and firm mechanistic pathways have been fully elucidated. This is largely a result of the unique nature of the mature sperm that is reflected in the distinct epigenetic signatures that are found therein. This unique landscape makes traditional approaches for understanding mechanisms difficult. However, the utility of sperm epigenetic marks in the prediction of specific reproductive outcomes is becoming clearer. While the mechanisms that explain the biological underpinnings of some of the associations between sperm epigenetics and reproductive health have yet to be elucidated, the value that these marks offer in prediction of various reproductive outcomes is becoming clearer.

Keywords

spermepigeneticsmale factor infertilityDNA methylationhistone modificationnoncoding RNA
Type
Chapter
Information
Men's Reproductive and Sexual Health Throughout the Lifespan
An Integrated Approach to Fertility, Sexual Function, and Vitality
 , pp. 76 - 80
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2023

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References

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