Dads Pass On More Than Genetics in Their Sperm
- mark
- Nov 6, 2023
- 2 min read
Updated: Mar 20
Eating poorly can have lasting effects on your body—and may even pass those consequences onto your children. Recent evidence suggests that a father's lifestyle choices can influence sperm and, in turn, affect offspring.
Once sperm are produced in the testes, they embark on a challenging journey through the epididymis, which is approximately six meters long when unfurled in a human male.
This tube, often overlooked, plays a crucial role in reproduction.
“The epididymis is the least studied organ in the body, but it turns out this tube that no one ever thinks about plays a central role in reproduction.”
Scientists have discovered that while our genes remain unchanged throughout our lives, the way these genetic instructions are expressed can vary significantly—similar to adjusting the volume on a speaker without altering the wiring.
This concept is known as “epigenetics**.”
Epigenetics explains why genetically identical individuals, like twins or laboratory mice, can exhibit different traits and behaviors even in similar environments.
Factors such as diet and stress can influence how our genes are expressed.
Remarkably, a father's behaviours can leave a lasting legacy in his child if his epigenetic changes are passed on to the embryo.
For example, mice whose fathers experienced stress may inherit behavioral traits linked to those traumatic experiences. Similarly, mouse fathers with poor diets can pass on metabolic issues to their offspring.
"Understanding the impact of environmentally-driven epigenetic changes in gametes on the offspring's phenotype is not only a fascinating biological question, it is also a moral obligation for the health of future generations."
So, gentlemen, remember that it’s not just about sperm count!
This is a conversation I've had with many couples and aspiring fathers.
Your lifestyle choices during this journey significantly impact whether an embryo develops properly and how that child may grow up.
People can change their lifestyle choices and positively transform both mind and body at any stage of life. These choices empower you and accompany you throughout your journey.
So, take action!
**Epigenetics is the study of how our environment influences our genes by changing the chemicals attached to them. What we eat, our physical activity level, access to resources and more affect those chemicals, in turn shaping our health.
The information here has been reproduced from the following sources:
What is Epigentics: https://harvardcenter.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/EpigeneticsInfographic_FINAL.pdf
National Library of Medicine: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4548616/#:~:text=Sperm%20cells%20undergo%20extensive%20epigenetic,are%20substantial%20regulators%20of%20spermatogenesis.
