A groundbreaking study from the University of Turku, Finland, has uncovered that childhood stress, particularly maltreatment, can have lasting effects on the epigenetic profile of sperm. This discovery could carry significant implications for future generations, as the epigenetic changes observed are linked to brain development, potentially influencing the health of offspring.
The research, conducted as part of the FinnBrain study in collaboration with the University of Copenhagen, sheds light on the concept of epigenetic inheritance—the transmission of environmental influences from one generation to the next without altering the DNA sequence itself. This means that stress experienced during childhood could be passed down through sperm, impacting not only the individual who experienced the stress but also their descendants.
Previously, the FinnBrain study had linked early paternal stress to changes in children’s brain development. In this latest research, childhood maltreatment was associated with specific epigenetic changes in sperm, including alterations in non-coding RNA molecules and DNA methylation patterns of genes related to brain development. The genes CRTC1 and GBX2, for example, were found to have altered methylation levels, which could potentially mediate the effects of early life stress on offspring.
“The next step is to examine both the epigenome of sperm and the characteristics of the offspring together. If we can demonstrate epigenetic inheritance in humans, it would completely change our understanding of inheritance,” says Jetro Tuulari, the study’s lead author.
While all cells in the body share the same genetic DNA, they have distinct epigenetic profiles that influence how genes are expressed, determining the cell’s function—whether in the brain, muscles, or skin. These epigenetic changes can be triggered by environmental factors and, in the case of sperm, could potentially affect future generations. This ability of sperm to carry epigenetic information from one generation to the next is a critical focus of current research.
Professor Noora Kotaja, a senior researcher in the study, explains that the mechanisms behind sperm epigenetics are still being explored. “This study is the most comprehensive human research on epigenetic inheritance to date, and it offers exciting new insights into how early life stress can affect not only the individual but also their children.”
The study analyzed 55 middle-aged men who had varying levels of childhood maltreatment. Sperm DNA from men with high levels of maltreatment showed lower DNA methylation in three specific DNA regions and altered levels of small non-coding RNA molecules. These changes were compared to sperm samples from men who reported minimal exposure to maltreatment. Other health factors, such as age, weight, and smoking, were controlled for in the study to ensure the results were not skewed by additional variables.
The findings are part of the larger FinnBrain project, which has followed over 4,000 families since its launch in 2010. The project focuses on the environmental and genetic factors influencing child development, with a particular emphasis on parental health.
While these findings are promising, researchers caution that the inheritance of these epigenetic changes has yet to be conclusively proven. Further studies, particularly with larger sample sizes and longitudinal data, are needed to better understand how these epigenetic alterations could be passed down to future generations.
Professor Emeritus Hasse Karlsson, who initiated the FinnBrain study, added, “The FinnBrain cohort, along with other multi-generational studies, will continue to provide valuable data that could lead to a better understanding of how early life stress influences health across generations.”
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