Obesity-induced sperm DNA methylation changes at satellite repeats are reprogrammed in rat offspring.

ABSTRACT: There is now strong evidence that the paternal contribution to offspring phenotype at fertilisation is more than just DNA. However, the identity and mechanisms of this nongenetic inheritance are poorly understood. One of the more important questions in this research area is: do changes in sperm DNA methylation have phenotypic consequences for offspring? We have previously reported that offspring of obese male rats have altered glucose metabolism compared with controls and that this effect was inherited through nongenetic means. Here, we describe investigations into sperm DNA methylation in a new cohort using the same protocol. Male rats on a high-fat diet were 30% heavier than control-fed males at the time of mating (16-19 weeks old, n = 14/14). A small (0.25%) increase in total 5-methyl-2

SUBMITTER: Youngson NA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5109891 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Nov-Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature