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Endocrine control of epigenetic mechanisms in male reproduction

  • Mandar Ankolkar and N.H. Balasinor EMAIL logo
Published/Copyright: March 4, 2016
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Hormone Molecular Biology and Clinical Investigation
From the journal Hormone Molecular Biology and Clinical Investigation Volume 25 Issue 1

Abstract

Endocrine control of reproduction is very well known and has been echoed by many research groups. However, recent developments point to the ability of toxic endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDC) to alter epigenetic information of the gametes which gets transferred to the developing embryo and affects the immediate reproductive outcome or even persists transgenerationally. These epigenetic aberrations contribute to the ensuing pathophysiology of reproductive disorders. Investigations of the female in cases of poor reproductive outcome have been the main strategy towards diagnosis. However, despite the male partner contributing half of his genome to the progeny, thorough investigations in the male have been ignored. Environmental pollutants are all pervading and are encountered in our day-to-day life. Many of these pollutants have potential to disrupt the endocrine system. Here, we discuss how the male gametes (spermatozoa) are susceptible to a myriad of epigenetic insults inflicted by exposure to endocrine disruptors and how important is the contribution of the epigenetic marks of the spermatozoa in healthy reproduction. We advocate that sperm epigenetics should be considered as a significant contributor to reproductive health and should be researched further and be subsequently included in routine diagnostic workup in cases of poor reproductive outcome.

Keywords: endocrine disruption; epigenetics; male reproduction; transgenerational
Corresponding author: N.H. Balasinor, National Institute for Research in Reproductive Health (ICMR), Department of Neuroendocrinology, Parel, Mumbai 400012, India, Phone: +91 22 24192125, Fax: +91 22 24139412, E-mail: ;

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Received: 2016-1-21
Accepted: 2016-2-2
Published Online: 2016-3-4
Published in Print: 2016-1-1

©2016 by De Gruyter

Articles in the same Issue

  1. Frontmatter
  2. Editorial Preface
  3. Preface to special issue on Peripheral and Central Control of Human Reproduction: Endocrine Aspects – Part 2
  4. Topic A: Impact of Metabolic Regulation and Epigenetic Control of Reproductive Function, Fertility and Gestational Programming
  5. Mini-Review Article
  6. A link between hypothyroidism, obesity and male reproduction
  7. Review Articles
  8. Is there a role for vitamin D in human reproduction?
  9. Mechanisms linking energy balance and reproduction: impact of prenatal environment
  10. Great migration: epigenetic reprogramming and germ cell-oocyte metamorphosis determine individual ovarian reserve
  11. Endocrine control of epigenetic mechanisms in male reproduction
https://doi.org/10.1515/hmbci-2016-0007
Keywords for this article
endocrine disruption; epigenetics; male reproduction; transgenerational

Articles in the same Issue

  1. Frontmatter
  2. Editorial Preface
  3. Preface to special issue on Peripheral and Central Control of Human Reproduction: Endocrine Aspects – Part 2
  4. Topic A: Impact of Metabolic Regulation and Epigenetic Control of Reproductive Function, Fertility and Gestational Programming
  5. Mini-Review Article
  6. A link between hypothyroidism, obesity and male reproduction
  7. Review Articles
  8. Is there a role for vitamin D in human reproduction?
  9. Mechanisms linking energy balance and reproduction: impact of prenatal environment
  10. Great migration: epigenetic reprogramming and germ cell-oocyte metamorphosis determine individual ovarian reserve
  11. Endocrine control of epigenetic mechanisms in male reproduction
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