THE ESSENTIAL
- Researchers observed that depletion of the gut microbiota of male mice was associated with changes in their sperm that significantly affected their offspring.
- Both male and female offspring had decreased body weight and intestinal length. Female offspring exhibited depressive-like behaviors.
- “The function of the human gut microbiota is similar to that of mice, and we believe our findings may have broader implications for human health.”
“We’re used to hearing that women need to take care of their physical health for the sake of their babies. Our recent findings in mice and humans suggest that it’s important for men to do so too.” A team of scientists has shown, for the first time, that a father’s gut health can affect the physiology and behavior of his children.
Paternal intestinal microbiota and child neurodevelopment
To reach these conclusions, published in the journal Brain, Behavior and Immunityresearchers from the Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health in the United States conducted experiments on mice. They observed that depletion of the gut microbiota of male rodents was associated with changes in their sperm that significantly affected their offspring.
“Male mice were given oral antibiotics designed to deplete their gut microbiota, said Professor Anthony Hannan, lead author of the work, in a press release. We found that this led to epigenetic changes in sperm that could alter neurodevelopment and brain function in offspring.” The body weight of both male and female offspring decreased, as did the length of their intestines. Similarly, the female offspring experienced changes in anxiety and exhibited depressive-like behaviors.
Influencing the well-being of future children
According to scientists, the composition of microbial populations in the gut of mice and humans can be affected by many environmental factors such as the triptych of diet, exercise and stress. Previous studies have also shown that mouse offspring are disrupted by changes in the father’s sperm caused by bacterial and viral infections, as well as by this triptych.
“The function of the human gut microbiota is similar to that of mice, and we believe our findings may have broader implications for human health. Particularly for men planning to start a family, as their nutrition and health before conception may affect the well-being of their future children.”conclude the authors of the study.
