1Assistant Professor, Department of Biotechnology, School of Engineering and Technology, Noida International University, Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh, India
2B. Tech Student (2nd Year), Department of Biotechnology, School of Engineering and Technology, Noida International University, Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh, India
3B. Tech Student (4th Year), Department of Biotechnology, School of Engineering and Technology, Noida International University, Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh, India
*Corresponding author email: nikunj.bhardwaj@niu.edu.in
Online published on 29 November, 2018.
A rich literature has been amassed demonstrating the impact of early experience on the structure and function of the developing brain. Adverse maternal experience during the perinatal period has been implicated as a major risk factor for the development of psychopathologies later in life. Little information is available regarding the impact of experience during the preconception period. As spermatogenesis is a continuous process, experiences that have the ability to alter epigenetic regulation in fathers may actually change developmental trajectories of offspring. The aim of this thesis was to examine the lifelong impact of preconception paternal stress on the epigenome, brain morphology and behaviour of both male and female developing rat offspring. Profound and enduring changes in DNA methylation patterns, neuroanatomical measures and behavioural outcomes of paternally stressed offspring were observed. Results fromthis study clearly demonstrate that preconception paternal stress during spermatogenesis can influence offspring epigenome, brain and behaviour.
Psychopathologies, Epigenome, Preconception, Perinatal, Spermatogenesis, Morphology and neuroanatomical
