title: The effect of paternal methyl-group donor intake on offspring DNA methylation and birth weight.
abstract: Most nutritional studies on the development of children focus on mother-infant interactions. Maternal nutrition is critically involved in the growth and development of the fetus, but what about the father? The aim is to investigate the effects of paternal methyl-group donor intake (methionine, folate, betaine, choline) on paternal and offspring global DNA (hydroxy)methylation, offspring IGF2 DMR DNA methylation, and birth weight. Questionnaires, 7-day estimated dietary records, whole blood samples, and anthropometric measurements from 74 fathers were obtained. A total of 51 cord blood samples were collected and birth weight was obtained. DNA methylation status was measured using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (global DNA (hydroxy)methylation) and pyrosequencing (IGF2 DMR methylation). Paternal betaine intake was positively associated with paternal global DNA hydroxymethylation (0.028% per 100 mg betaine increase, 95% CI: 0.003, 0.053, P=0.03) and cord blood global DNA methylation (0.679% per 100 mg betaine increase, 95% CI: 0.057, 1.302, P=0.03). Paternal methionine intake was positively associated with CpG1 (0.336% per 100 mg methionine increase, 95% CI: 0.103, 0.569, P=0.006), and mean CpG (0.201% per 100 mg methionine increase, 95% CI: 0.001, 0.402, P=0.049) methylation of the IGF2 DMR in cord blood. Further, a negative association between birth weight/birth weight-for-gestational age z-score and paternal betaine/methionine intake was found. In addition, a positive association between choline and birth weight/birth weight-for-gestational age z-score was also observed. Our data indicate a potential impact of paternal methyl-group donor intake on paternal global DNA hydroxymethylation, offspring global and IGF2 DMR DNA methylation, and prenatal growth.
authors.affiliation: 1Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Environment and Health,KU Leuven- University of Leuven,Leuven,Belgium.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Pauwels
authors.affiliation: 1Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Environment and Health,KU Leuven- University of Leuven,Leuven,Belgium.
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Truijen
authors.affiliation: 1Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Environment and Health,KU Leuven- University of Leuven,Leuven,Belgium.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ghosh
authors.affiliation: 1Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Environment and Health,KU Leuven- University of Leuven,Leuven,Belgium.
authors.forename: R C
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Duca
authors.affiliation: 2Unit Environmental Risk and Health,Flemish Institute of Technological Research (VITO),Mol,Belgium.
authors.forename: S A S
authors.initials: SAS
authors.lastname: Langie
authors.affiliation: 4Department of Imaging & Pathology,KU Leuven - University of Leuven,Leuven,Belgium.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Bekaert
authors.affiliation: 6Center for Molecular and Vascular Biology,KU Leuven - University of Leuven,Leuven,Belgium.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Freson
authors.affiliation: 7Dietary Exposure Assessment Group,International Agency for Research on Cancer,Lyon,France.
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Huybrechts
authors.affiliation: 2Unit Environmental Risk and Health,Flemish Institute of Technological Research (VITO),Mol,Belgium.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Koppen
authors.affiliation: 8Department of Development and Regeneration,KU Leuven-University of Leuven,Leuven,Belgium.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Devlieger
authors.affiliation: 1Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Environment and Health,KU Leuven- University of Leuven,Leuven,Belgium.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Godderis
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001530:Belgium / Q000453:epidemiology; D001622:Betaine / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000097:blood; D001724:Birth Weight / Q000502:physiology*; D002794:Choline / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000097:blood; D019175:DNA Methylation / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D005312:Fetal Blood / Q000378:metabolism; D005492:Folic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008715:Methionine / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000097:blood; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology
chemical_list: D001622:Betaine; D005492:Folic Acid; D008715:Methionine; D002794:Choline
keywords: IGF2 DMR methylation; global DNA hydroxymethylation; global DNA methylation; methyl-group donor