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Epigenetic regulation in male germ cells

¹ Monash Institute of Medical Research, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria 3168, Australia² Australian Research Centre of Excellence in Biotechnology and Development, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria 3168, Australia³ Queensland Institute of Medical Research, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia

Correspondence should be addressed to M K O'Bryan; Email: moira.obryan{at}med.monash.edu.au

In recent years, it has become increasingly clear that epigenetic regulation of gene expression is critical during spermatogenesis. In this review, the epigenetic regulation and the consequences of its aberrant regulation during mitosis, meiosis and spermiogenesis are described. The current knowledge on epigenetic modifications that occur during male meiosis is discussed, with special attention on events that define meiotic sex chromosome inactivation. Finally, the recent studies focused on transgenerational and paternal effects in mice and humans are discussed. In many cases, these epigenetic effects resulted in impaired fertility and potentially long-ranging affects underlining the importance of research in this area.