Paternal Diet Influences Sperm Quality

Inheritance of genetic material is the primary route of transmitting health-related information from parents to offspring.  However, new research in epigenetics (the study of how gene activity is controlled by factors other than changes in the DNA sequence) has found other ways that gene activity can be influenced without changing the actual genetic code. These include chemical changes to DNA and the action of certain regulatory molecules. These processes explain how a parent's lifestyle and environmental exposures may affect the health of their children, possibly increasing the risk of long-term noncommunicable diseases.

The period around conception is increasingly recognized as a critical window in which such exposures may influence embryonic development. While maternal nutrition and health have been well-studied, there is growing recognition that paternal factors also play a significant role. A variety of lifestyle and environmental influences—including diet, stress, toxicant exposure, and air pollution—are known to affect sperm quality and may influence how biological information is passed to the next generation.

One of the ways this may happen is through small non-coding ribonucleic acids (sncRNAs), which are molecules that help regulate which genes are turned on or off. In this study, published in Scientific Reports, researchers analyzed the sncRNA profile of human sperm in 17 participants before and after a six-week dietary intervention that included supplementing vitamin D, olive oil, and omega-3 fatty acids. Compared to the control group, the intervention group showed notable changes in the types and levels of these RNA molecules.

The study is the first of its kind to validate results found in animal models. The findings suggest that a relatively short-term change in diet can alter the molecular signals carried by sperm. This adds to growing evidence that paternal health and nutrition before conception may play a role in shaping the developing embryo, with potential long-term effects on the future child’s health.