Men Should Avoid Alcohol Three Months Before Starting a Family

Research indicates that the duration for the adverse impacts of alcohol on a man’s sperm lasts longer than previously believed. Considering the connection between alcohol and birth defects, these findings are crucial for prospective fathers to consider when contemplating starting a family.

Historically, emphasis has been placed on maternal health before conception as a key determinant of pregnancy and child development outcomes. Concerns about alcohol intake before and during pregnancy have centered on fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS), leading to abnormal facial features, low birth weight or height, attention and hyperactivity issues, and poor coordination.

The responsibility to refrain from drinking to prevent FAS has traditionally rested on women. Only in recent times has attention turned to paternal alcohol consumption as a contributing factor.

Exploring the Epigenetic Impact

Recent studies have demonstrated that sperm carry a significant amount of epigenetic information susceptible to modification through exposure to various stressors, such as alcohol. A novel investigation conducted by Texas A&M University researchers has explored the impact of alcohol consumption on sperm, the resulting epigenetic alterations, and the duration of these changes.

“For an extended period, there has been minimal attention given to male alcohol consumption,” noted Michael Golding, the lead author of the study. “In the past five to eight years, we’ve observed specific circumstances where paternal influence significantly affects alcohol exposure and fetal development. In this study, we aimed to determine the duration of time required for the effects of alcohol on sperm to diminish. Contrary to our initial expectations of a rapid return to normal, the withdrawal process extended beyond a month.”

In the United States, much like in numerous other countries globally, a significant proportion of men engage in alcohol consumption. Previous investigations have presented conflicting findings regarding the impact of alcohol intake on male fertility, with some suggesting minor declines and others asserting no discernible effects. In this present study, scientists utilized a mouse model to reassess the consequences of alcohol exposure on the sperm epigenome.

Alcohol Exposure in Male Mice and RNA Sequencing Analysis of Epididymal Gene Expression Patterns

Male mice were subjected to 6% or 10% alcohol for a duration of 10 weeks, followed by a four-week withdrawal period. RNA sequencing was employed to analyze gene expression patterns in the epididymis, the extended, coiled tubular structure situated atop each testicle responsible for storing sperm. A control group was exposed solely to water.

The researchers noted that persistent alterations in genetic pathways associated with mitochondrial function, oxidative stress, and the generalized stress response in the epididymis occurred due to chronic alcohol exposure, and these changes persisted for a month after the cessation of drinking.

Dr. Golding explained, “During the withdrawal phase, the liver undergoes continuous oxidative stress and transmits a signal throughout the male body. The reproductive system interprets this signal and responds with, ‘We are in an environment characterized by a potent oxidative stressor. I must program the offspring to adapt to such an environment.'”

Read the original article on: New Atlas

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