Whole genome Nanopore DNA analysis shows that chronic corticosterone supplementation results in altered sperm DNA methylation.
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Introduction
- Corticosterone (CORT) is the main stress hormone in mice.
- CORT supplementation models Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal (HPA) axis activation, the neuroendocrine system that regulates stress but also plays a role in digestion, emotions, immune system and metabolism.
- 4 weeks of CORT supplementation in male mice lead to altered sperm small non coding RNA (sncRNA) changes in F0.
- Paternal CORT leads to behavioral changes in their offspring (F1 and F2). Including alterations in memory, anxiety and depression phenotypes.
- Paternal CORT leads to expression changes in the paternal imprinted gene Igf2 in hippocampus of F1 and F2 male offspring and F1 female offspring.