An international team of biologists studied data on epigenetic marks in mammalian sperm,
Unlike women, men can maintain fertility, that is, the ability to conceive, until old age.In recent decades, there has been an increase in the number of couples who marry and haveThis process has not gone unnoticed by science, but most research has focused on the effects of maternal age on the health of the offspring.
Researchers from Moscow State University together with AmericanColleagues from the University of Massachusetts Amherst and the Wayne State University School of Medicine decided to correct this shortcoming and analyzed studies on age-related changes in the sex cells of men.
Factors affecting spermatozoa. Image: Moscow State University
Spermatozoa are produced throughout lifethe process of division of spermatogonia, germ cells-progenitors. During cell division, DNA copying can occur with errors - this is how mutations appear. Division occurs on average once every 16 days. This means that about 23 such divisions occur per year. As sperm progenitor cells divide more and more with age, more and more errors accumulate in their DNA, the scientists note.
But changes in the genome of germ cells can be caused not only by mutations, but also by epigenetic events.These are processes that do not affect the DNA sequence, but can turn genes on, off, or change how they work.
Most often, researchers observe methylationcytosine: the attachment of a group consisting of one carbon atom and three hydrogen atoms to the corresponding base of DNA. In various studies, scientists have found that methylation in genes associated with early fetal development and neuropsychiatric disorders changes with age in sperm DNA.
The researchers believe that such changes maybe passed on to offspring and influence their development. Scientists believe that a deep study of these processes will help find ways to turn back the epigenetic clock and restore male reproductive health.
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