Father’s sperm plays bigger role than previously thought
Sperm is much smaller than an egg and for a long time believed to be biologically not as important as the egg. A new study showed that the father’s sperm delivers much more complex genetic material than previously thought.
The way in which genes are packaged is an epigenetic factor, for example the genes on the inside of a tightly wrapped string of DNA are hidden from transcription machinery and effectively switched off. This is a very important part of gene regulation and help to ensure that the correct genes are switched on or off.
The study authors will now investigate whether a fathers’ age or lifestyle can bring about changes to the way genes are packaged in sperm, exposing genes that were supposed to be hidden or switched off to be on or vice versa, and its possible influence on infertility.
Brad Cairns Ph.D says, “Our findings show that the father plays an active role in packaging his genome to help ensure a healthy baby. However, they also raise the possibility that a man’s aging, health and lifestyle may alter this packaging and negatively affect fertility and embryo development.”
Further work will also be done to investigate the packaging of genetic material inside the egg as this is currently also still a big mystery.
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090614153253.htm
