eBook: Epigenomics of Sperm

Some of the most interesting and important epigenetic phenomena occur in sperm. In addition to passing genetic paternal information, experiences and exposures can be encoded in the epigenome and inherited as well.

In this EpiGenie ebook, we present summaries of several studies on exploring the role of epigenetic processes in sperm biology. They are divided into five chapters.

Chapter 1: Transgenerational Epigenetic Inheritance

1. Environmentally reprogrammed sperm epigenetically transmit behavior across generations
2. Sperm throw “three-pointers” to ensure transgenerational epigenetic inheritance
3. Transgenerational inheritance of a trio of epigenomic changes induced by DTT
4. Histone methylation takes center stage in the genetic tale of transgenerational epigenetic inheritance

Chapter 2: Paternal Chemical Exposure

1. Of rats and men: prospective fathers should pass on Cannabis to preserve DNA methylation
2. Phthalates produce problematic sperm DNA Methylation in humans
3. Long-sperm effects: THC and nicotine have a lasting impact on bivalent chromatin and Autism genes

Chapter 3: Paternal Environment

1. Cognitive benefits of Dad’s enriched environment passed to offspring through sperm miRNAs
2. Old fathers pass on an unwanted aging DNA methylation profile to the next generation
3. Intergenerational transmission of dad’s diet: DNMT2 provides a big payload of small RNAs
4. Chill out with Dad: sperm DNA methylation changes in response to paternal cold exposure
5. Blame your old man: age-related sperm methylation changes may up disease odds

Chapter 4: Sperm, Stress, and miRNAs

1. Long lasting effects of trauma in sperm long RNAs
2. Sperm miRNA Drives Intergenerational Stress Response
3. How the Journey Towards Sperm Maturation Can Leave Offspring Stressed Out!

Chapter 5: Epigenetics in Male Germline Development

1. Histonagram: C. elegans sperm carry a histone nemory of spermatogenesis and oogenesis
2. The epididymosome’s small ncRNA payload is critical to sperm maturation and embryonic development
3. Sperm-derived histone modifications orchestrate human paternal heterochromatin formation
4. How I met your Mother: DNMT3A from Mom leaves its mark on Dad’s genome in the early embryo
5. Epigenetic cross-talk: histone H3K36 methyltransferases shape sex differences in germ cell DNA methylation