In our recently published study, we explored whether serum and seminal iron biomarkers are associated with global sperm DNA hydroxymethylation (5-hmC) — an epigenetic modification known to influence embryo development and gene regulation.
Our findings show that iron imbalance, a common and modifiable condition, may be linked to changes in the sperm epigenome. This opens new avenues for understanding how paternal nutrition and micronutrient status could influence assisted reproduction outcomes, transgenerational health, and the molecular conversation between gametes and the developing embryo.
This commentary is part of an effort to make the science behind our work accessible to both specialists and the wider healthcare community, translating complex molecular findings into clinically relevant insights.
Written by: Georges Raad,1,2 Fatima Husseiny,1 Zalihe Yarkiner,3 Valerie Grandjean,4,5 Marwa Bazzi,1 Marilyne Rizk,6 Fadi Fakih,1 Youmna Mourad,1 Chadi Fakih,1,7
- Al Hadi Laboratory and Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon.
- School of Medicine and Medical Sciences, Holy Spirit University of Kaslik, P.O.Box 446, Jounieh, Lebanon.
- Department of Basic Sciences and Humanities, Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Northern Cyprus via Mersin, Cyprus International University, Nicosia, Turkey.
- Inserm U1065, C3M, Team Control of Gene Expression (10), Nice, France.
- Université Côte d'Azur, Inserm, C3M, Nice, France.
- School of Medicine and Medical Sciences, Holy Spirit University of Kaslik, Jounieh, Lebanon.
- Faculty of Medicine, Lebanese University, Beirut, Lebanon.