418 Paternal Programming of Offspring Health. (30th November 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Watkins, Adam
• Is Part Of: Journal of animal science. Volume 98(2020)Supplement 4
• Page Start: 187
• Page End: 187
• Publication Date: 2020-11-30
• Subjects: Livestock -- Periodicals; Livestock; Electronic journals; Periodicals; 636.005
• DOI: 10.1093/jas/skaa278.345
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0021-8812

Abstract

Abstract: There is now a significant body of human and animal model data identifying common associations between perturbed development during gestation, disproportionate fetal growth and poor adult cardiovascular and metabolic health. Typically, these studies have focused on the impact of poor maternal health on offspring development and well-being. However, a growing evidence base now indicates that sub-optimal paternal factors (such as diet) can also program adult offspring ill-health. While the link between paternal health and offspring well-being is becoming established, attention is being focused on defining the underlying mechanism(s). Here, the father may influence post-fertilization development through two main pathways, the integrity and status of the sperm genome (including epigenome) and through components of the seminal plasma. We have used a mouse model of paternal low protein diet to study the impact sub-optimal nutrition has on the quality and epigenetic status of the sperm, embryonic development and fetal growth. We have also used our model to study the relative seminal plasma and sperm contributions to adult offspring cardiovascular and metabolic health. Our studied highlight the role of a father's diet at the time of conception for the development and well-being of his offspring.