Correlation of Internal Exposure Levels of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons to Methylation of Imprinting Genes of Sperm DNA

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health

Li Wang¹  Yufeng Ma¹  Mei Qiang¹  Zhaoxu Lu¹ 

[1] Department of Children and Adolescences Health, School of Public Health, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan 030001, China;

关键词: polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons;    embryonic development;    imprinted genes;    methylation;    sperm;   

DOI  :  10.3390/ijerph16142606

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

Human exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) results in adverse health implications. However, the specific impact of paternal preconception PAHs exposure has not been fully studied. In this study, a total of 219 men aged 24−53 were recruited and an investigation was conducted using a questionnaire requesting information about age, occupation, education, family history, lifestyle, and dietary preferences. Urine and semen samples were examined for the levels of the hydroxyl metabolites of PAHs (OH-PAHs) using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography−tandem mass spectrometry and sperm DNA methylation by pyrosequencing. The results from the correlation analysis using seven OH-PAHs and the average methylation levels of the imprinting genes H19, PEG3, and MEG3 indicated that 1-OHPH is positively correlated with H19/PEG3 methylation levels. We further examined the correlation between each OH-PAH and the methylation levels at the individual CpGs. The results showed 1-OHPH is specifically correlated with CpG4 and CpG6 of the imprinted gene H19, CpG1 and CpG2 of PEG3, and CpG2 of MEG3; whereas 1-OHP is positively correlated with PEG3 at CpG1. Multivariate regression model analysis confirmed that 1-OHPH and 1-OHP are independent risk factors for the methylation of H19. These data show that sperm DNA imprinting genes are sensitive to adverse environmental perturbations.

【 授权许可】

Unknown