title: Epigenetic disorders and male subfertility.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To provide a link between epigenetics and male subfertility at the DNA, histone-protamine, and RNA levels and its consequences on fertilization and embryo development.
  
  
  METHODS
  Review of the relevant literature.
  
  
  METHODS
  University-based clinical and research laboratories.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fertile and infertile men.
  
  
  METHODS
  None.
  
  
  METHODS
  Critical review of the literature.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Epigenetic markers can be modified in infertile patients. Epigenetic modifications include methylation loss or gain on the global level and on imprinted genes, high levels of histone retention in spermatozoa, and deficiencies in some transcripts involved in spermatogenesis. Interestingly, these abnormalities are all linked together, because DNA methylation maintenance depends on DNA histone-protamine configuration which itself is stabilized by spermatozoal RNAs.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The paternal genome has long been considered to be silent and passive in embryo formation. The epigenetic processes associated with the paternal DNA genome highlights its importance in male fertility as well as for embryo development.
authors.affiliation: Histology-Embryology-Biology of Reproduction, CECOS, Hôpital Cochin, AP-HP, Paris Descartes University, Paris, France. celine.chalas@cch.aphp.fr
authors.forename: Céline Chalas
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Boissonnas
authors.forename: Pierre
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Jouannet
authors.forename: Hélène
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Jammes
mesh_terms: D047108:Embryonic Development / Q000235:genetics*; D044127:Epigenesis, Genetic / Q000235:genetics*; D005260:Female; D005298:Fertility / Q000235:genetics*; D030342:Genetic Diseases, Inborn / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D007248:Infertility, Male / Q000235:genetics*; D008297:Male; D011247:Pregnancy