Widespread epigenetic abnormalities suggest a broad DNA methylation erasure defect in abnormal human sperm.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Male-factor infertility is a common condition, and etiology is unknown for a high proportion of cases. Abnormal epigenetic programming of the germline is proposed as a possible mechanism compromising spermatogenesis of some men currently diagnosed with idiopathic infertility. During germ cell maturation and gametogenesis, cells of the germ line undergo extensive epigenetic reprogramming. This process involves widespread erasure of somatic-like patterns of DNA methylation followed by establishment of sex-specific patterns by de novo DNA methylation. Incomplete reprogramming of the male germ line could, in theory, result in both altered sperm DNA methylation and compromised spermatogenesis.

Methodology/principal finding

We determined concentration, motility and morp

SUBMITTER: Houshdaran S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2100168 | biostudies-literature | 2007 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature