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At least 613 records · Page 34Linked to original sources
PubMed2006

Consequences of paternal cocaine exposure in mice.

The present study examined the potential neuroteratological effects of paternal cocaine (COC) exposure using the novel mouse model of inhalational drug administration. In this model, mice were trained to self-administer COC in multi-hour daily inhalation sessions reminiscent of crack binges. The controls included males pair-fed with COC-inhaling animals as well as ad-lib-fed males. All males were bred with drug-naive females. The newborn pups sired by COC-inhaling males had a reduced biparietal head diameter, suggesting a decreased cerebral volume. When the pups reached adulthood, their sustained visuo-spatial attention and spatial working memory were tested using a 5-arm maze paradigm. During the attention tests, the percentage of correct trials at the shortest stimulus duration employed in the study (0.5 s) was significantly lower for the male offspring of COC-inhaling fathers as compared to the offspring of both pair-fed and ad-lib-fed controls. For the females sired by COC-inhaling fathers, the deficit was observed at light stimulus durations of 0.5 and 0.75 s. Also, during the working memory tests, the male offspring of COC-inhaling fathers required more sessions than the offspring of either pair-fed or ad-lib-fed fathers to reach the selected criterion at retention intervals of 16 min and longer. The impairment of working memory in female offspring of COC-inhaling fathers was even stronger, as the offspring needed more sessions to reach the criterion as compared to their control counterparts, even at retention intervals as short as 4 min. These findings suggest that paternal COC abuse prior to coitus may impact the development of the offspring, particularly if they are females. We further showed that chronic COC exposure in male mice does not result in substantial breakage of spermatozoal DNA, but significantly alters expression of DNA methyltransferases 1 and 3a in the germ cell-rich seminiferous tubules of the testis. Since these enzymes are essential for generating and maintaining parental gene imprinting in germ cells, our observations point to an intriguing possibility that COC may cause paternally induced neuroteratological effects by interfering with gene-imprinting patterns in male gametes.

Administration, Inhalation↗
PubMed2026

Paternal exposure to polystyrene nanoplastics induces inter- and transgenerational bronchopulmonary dysplasia-like damage in male offspring by FtMt hypermethylation-mediated ferroptosis.

Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) is a major cause of chronic lung disease in both preterm infants and adults, but its etiology remains incompletely understood. In this study, F0 generation mice were exposed to polystyrene nanoplastics (PS-NPs), and F1 to F3 generations were obtained by breeding. Multi-omics sequencing including whole genome methylation sequencing, single cell transcriptome sequencing and transcriptome sequencing was performed on the lungs of offspring. The levels of Fe2+, lipid peroxidation products and key gene expression were determined. Male mice exposed to PS-NPs at environmentally relevant doses produced offspring (F1 and F2) that exhibited a typical BPD-like phenotype. Meanwhile, the F0 males showed diminished sperm motility, demonstrating that paternal PS-NPs exposure constituted an etiological factor for BPD in descendants. Mechanistic studies showed that PS-NPs exposure upregulated the expression of DNA methyltransferase Dnmt3a, leading to global hypermethylation of the sperm genome. Importantly, the hypermethylated promoter signature of the mitochondrial ferritin (FtMt) gene partially resisted epigenetic reprogramming and was transmitted to the lungs of offspring, resulting in persistently low FtMt expression in F1 and F2 lungs. This led to increased intracellular Fe2+ levels, subsequently triggered ferroptosis in alveolar epithelial cells, and ultimately impaired alveolarization. Knockdown of FtMt confirmed that FtMt deficiency was sufficient to induce ferroptosis and BPD-like lung injury both in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, using in vitro fertilization of F0 sperm combined with Dnmt3a siRNA microinjection, we directly demonstrated that Dnmt3a is a key driver for FtMt to escape reprogramming and maintain its hypermethylation. In summary, this study reveals for the first time that paternal PS-NPs exposure causes BPD through a Dnmt3a-FtMt hypermethylation intergenerational and transgenerational axis, providing an epigenetic basis for understanding paternal derived chronic lung disease and potential targets for early intervention.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

Paternal responsiveness in biparental dwarf hamsters (Phodopus campbelli) does not require estradiol.

Males of the biparental hamster species Phodopus campbelli act as midwives and are responsive to an experimentally displaced pup. Males also have peripheral estradiol concentrations that are similar to conspecific females. Castration reduces peripheral estradiol, yet does not affect paternal responsiveness despite the known role of estradiol in maternal behavior. Synthesis of estradiol within the central nervous system, however, might not be affected by castration. Males received implants of osmotic pumps containing the aromatase inhibitor letrozole to reduce both peripheral and central estradiol concentrations. Though estradiol was effectively reduced, it had no effect on paternal responsiveness or reproductive success. Neither testosterone nor aggression directed towards an intruder was altered. Results support the emerging conclusion that estradiol is not required for the exceptional paternal behavior of male P. campbelli.

Aggression↗
PubMed1994

Limbic system fos expression associated with paternal behavior.

Axon-sparing lesions of the medial nucleus of the amygdala (MeA) decrease male parental behavior in the highly social prairie vole. To assess further the role of the amygdala in paternal behavior, male and female prairie voles were exposed to a pup or a non-social olfactory stimulus for 3 hours, and cells expressing Fos peptide were labelled using immunocytochemistry. Compared to controls, males exposed to a pup showed an increase in Fos expression in the MeA, as well as in several areas with connections to it: the accessory olfactory bulb, lateral septum, medial preoptic area, medial bed nucleus of the stria terminalis, nucleus reuniens and paraventricular nucleus of the thalamus. There was no increase in Fos immunoreactivity in the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus or piriform cortex. The same pattern of Fos expression was found in female voles, with the exception of the thalamic paraventricular nucleus, where there was an increase in the pup-exposed group that was not statistically significant (P = 0.11). In addition, the magnitude of induction in females was markedly less than that in males in the medial preoptic area. These results provide further evidence that the MeA is involved in paternal behavior, and suggest certain other areas previously implicated in meternal behavior may also be involved in the control of paternal behavior in this species.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Identification of embryo paternity using polymorphic DNA markers to assess fertilizing capacity of spermatozoa after heterospermic insemination in boars.

Differences in sperm fertilizing capacity of males often remain undetected by routine semen parameters. Heterospermic insemination with equal numbers of spermatozoa from 2 males is an accurate method for assessing differences in fertility. Use of heterospermic insemination depends on a reliable, efficient assay to identify paternity of conceptuses or offspring. In this study, polymorphic DNA markers amplified by PCR were tested to determine paternity of Day 5 to 6 embryos. The fertilizing capacity of 2 boars (A and B) with similar semen parameters was compared after homospermic (n=14 gilts) and heterospermic (n=11 gilts) insemination. Single AI's were performed under suboptimal conditions using 1 x 10(9) spermatozoa at 12 to 24 h before ovulation to prompt differences in fertilization and to stimulate sperm competition. The fertilization rate and the number of accessory spermatozoa were determined in Day 5 to 6 embryos. Using 5 different polymorphic DNA markers, paternity could be determined in 95.8% of the embryos. Boar B sired significantly (P<0.05) more offspring than Boar A after insemination with pooled semen, and this was reflected by a significantly (P<0.05) higher number of accessory spermatozoa following homospermic insemination with semen from Boar B, although fertilization rates did not differ between the 2 boars after homospermic insemination. The results suggest that the viability of spermatozoa in the female reproductive tract contributes to differences in fertility rates of males with similar in vitro sperm quality parameters. The number of accessory spermatozoa is a more sensitive measure of boar fertility than the fertilization rate. Polymorphic DNA markers are suitable for verification of parentage even at a very early stage of embryonic development.

Animals↗
PubMed1984

Paternal behavior in the spiny mouse (Acomys cahirinus).

The responsiveness of adult male spiny mice (Acomys cahirinus) to both their own and alien precocial young was investigated. Paternal behavior was manifested primarily by the males huddling with their offspring and the coordination of pup attendance between adult males and females. With less than 2 days exposure to their own neonates, males were found to discriminate between their own and alien young. Experience plays an important role in the development of paternal behavior in spiny mice. Males who have never had pups of their own sniff and attack unfamiliar neonates more than males who have fathered pups. The adaptive significance of paternal investment in this uniquely precocial murid rodent was discussed.

Adaptation, Biological↗
PubMed1999

Change in paternity: a risk factor for preeclampsia in multiparous women?

BACKGROUND: Preeclampsia is often thought of as being a disease of first pregnancies. The incidence of preeclampsia in subsequent pregnancies, after a previous normal pregnancy is lower. However, it has been reported that this beneficial effect of multiparity is lost with a change in paternity. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of change in paternity on the incidence of preeclampsia in Dutch multiparous pregnant women. METHODS: 364 Multiparous patients with hypertension (diastolic blood pressure > or = 100 mmHg) were identified in the obstetric database of the Academic Hospital Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam for the period 1989-1996. The diagnosis in their obstetrical history (Preeclampsia, HELLP-syndrome, chronic hypertension) was defined in a pragmatic way in view of the retrospective nature of the study. The control group consisted of 281 multiparous women from a midwife clinic, with normotensive pregnancies in the same period. Patients and controls were asked, by telephone, if the index pregnancy was from the same partner as the previous pregnancy and what the sex of the newborns had been in each pregnancy. Fisher's Exact test was used for statistical analysis and P < 0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: The final study group consisted of 333 multiparous patients with hypertension. The control group consisted of 182 multiparous women without hypertension. The prevalence of new paternity was significantly higher (P < 0.0001) both for preeclamptic and HELLP patients in comparison with the controls, with an odds ratio of 8.6 (95%CI: 3.1-23.5) and 10.9 (95%CI: 3.7-32.3), respectively. CONCLUSION: This study confirms that change of partner raises the risk for preeclampsia in subsequent pregnancies. Immune maladaptation on the fetal maternal interface could be an underlying mechanism. Multiparous women with a new partner should be approached as being primigravid women.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Beyond traditional paternity and identification cases. Selecting the most probable pedigree.

The paper extends on the traditional methodology used to quantify DNA evidence in paternity or identification cases. By extending we imply that there are more than two alternatives to choose between. In a standard paternity case the two competing explanations H(1): "John Doe is the father of the child and H(2): "A random man is the father of the child, are typically considered. A paternity index of 100000 implies that the data is 100000 more likely assuming hypothesis H(1) rather than H(2). If H(2) is replaced by "A brother of John Doe is the father", the LR may change dramatically. The main topic of this paper is to determine the most probable pedigree given a certain set of data including DNA profiles. In the previous example this corresponds to determining the most likely relation between John Doe and the child. Based on DNA obtained from victims of a fire, bodies found in an ancient grave or from individuals seeking to confirm their anticipated family relations, we would like to determine the most probable pedigree. The approach we present provides the possibility to combine non-DNA evidence, say age of individuals, and DNA profiles. The program familias, obtainable as shareware from http://www.nr.no/familias, delivers the probabilities for the various family constellations. More precisely, the information (if any) prior to DNA is combined with the DNA-profiles in a Bayesian manner to deliver the posterior probabilities. We exemplify using the well published Romanov data where the accepted solution emerges among 4536 possibilities considered. Various other applications based on forensic case work are discussed. In addition we have simulated data to resemble an incest case. Since the true family relation is known in this case, we may evaluate the method.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Mutations at Y-STR loci: implications for paternity testing and forensic analysis.

Knowledge about mutation rates and the mutational process of Y-chromosomal short-tandem-repeat (STR) or microsatellite loci used in paternity testing and forensic analysis is crucial for the correct interpretation of resulting genetic profiles. Therefore, we recently analysed a total of 4999 male germline transmissions from father/son pairs of confirmed paternity (probability > or = 99.9%) at 15 Y-STR loci which are commonly applied to forensics. We identified 14 mutations. Locus specific mutation rate estimates varied between 0 and 8.58 x 10(-3), and the overall average mutation rate estimate was 2.80 x 10(-3) (95% CIL 1.72 x 10(-3)-4.27 x 10(-3)). In two confirmed father/son pairs mutation at two Y-STRs were observed. The probability of two mutations occurring within the same single germline transmission was estimated to be statistically not unexpected. Additional alleles caused by insertion polymorphisms have been found at a number of Y-STRs and a frequency of 0.12% was estimated for DYS19. The observed mutational features for Y-STRs have important consequences for forensic applications such as the definition of criteria for exclusions in paternity testing and the interpretation of genetic profiles in stain analysis. In order to further enrich our knowledge of Y-STR mutations we suggest the establishment of a Y-STR mutation database and ask the forensic community for data contribution.

Autoradiography↗
PubMed2001

Paternity determination when the alleged father's genotypes are unavailable.

In paternity testing using the DNA evidence, analysis of the deficiency case when the DNA profiles of the alleged father are not available is different from that of the case with complete evidence. In this paper, we describe how to evaluate and determine the paternity in the deficiency case, by comparing the paternity indexes of the true father and the falsely non-excluded man.

Chromosome Mapping↗
PubMed2001

Non-fatherhood or mutation? A probabilistic approach to parental exclusion in paternity testing.

The occurrence of germline mutations at microsatellite loci poses problems in ascertaining non-fatherhood status in paternity testing. We describe the appropriate probabilistic analysis for computing the likelihood ratio in favour of paternity while allowing for mutation, for all 18 relevant combinations of seemingly incompatible parental genotypes. We allow arbitrary and possibly different mutation rates in paternal and maternal germlines. We describe a stationary mutation model for expressing the required allele-specific transition mutation rates in terms of overall mutation rates, and compare the likelihood ratios calculated from this and from other mutation models suggested in the literature. We also show how to derive an upper bound on the likelihood ratio, depending only on the overall mutation rate.

Female↗
PubMed2000

Portuguese population and paternity investigation studies with a multiplex PCR--the AmpFlSTR Profiler Plus.

A Portuguese Caucasian population of 146 unrelated individuals was studied. DNA samples were amplified by multiplex PCR for D3S1358, vWA, FGA, D8S1179, D21S11, D18S51, D5S818, D13S317 and D7S820 using the AmpFlSTR Profiler Plus PCR Amplification Kit (Perkin-Elmer). All loci met Hardy-Weinberg expectations. Forensic statistical parameters were according to those obtained by other authors. Statistical differences were observed concerning three loci when comparing the Portuguese Caucasian population and an Italian Caucasian population, although these differences mainly concern the less frequent alleles. Eighty-three paternity investigation cases were analysed. Exclusions in between three and nine loci were observed in all the 23 exclusion cases obtained. Most of the non-exclusion cases had probability of paternity > 99.9%. Two cases with an isolated genetic incompatibility between the alleged father and the child were detected, which may indicate probable mutation cases. These results demonstrate that the AmpFlSTR Profiler Plus is a suitable multiplex for paternity investigation in the Portuguese population.

Alleles↗
PubMed2003

Expert witness in paternity testing in Germany.

In Germany, paternity testing can be ordered by a judge as well as by private persons. In the case of private counselling, the expert has the duty to inform the parties on all medical, legal and ethical aspects. Informed consent must be given by each individual included in an exploration of family relationships. Due to the rapid progress of DNA typing in even minute amounts after polymerase chain reaction amplification, genotypes of short tandem repeat systems can be elicited by extraction from single cells. Therefore, the number of unlawful investigations of paternal relationships is steadily increasing. Here the requirements for paternity testing laboratories and sanctions for unlawful exploration of a person's genotypes are discussed. A new Federal law should be drafted.

DNA Fingerprinting↗
PubMed2003

Vasopressin and the transmission of paternal behavior across generations in mated, cross-fostered Peromyscus mice.

The role of arginine vasopressin (AVP) in the nongenomic transfer of paternal behavior from fathers to offspring was examined in Peromyscus. Male California mice (P. californicus) exposed to fewer retrievals by white-footed mouse (P. leucopus) foster parents displayed fewer retrievals of biological offspring. In contrast, white-footed mice were retrieved equally rarely by California mouse foster parents and by biological parents and displayed no changes in pup retrieval behavior. AVP-immunoreactive staining in the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis may predict paternal behavior because it correlated positively with retrievals and with a score consisting of huddling, grooming, and time inside the nest. The authors discuss AVP as a possible mechanism by which early experience shapes adult paternal behavior.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

Childhood cancer and paternal employment in agriculture: the role of pesticides.

Previous studies have suggested that the offspring of men potentially exposed to pesticides at work may be at increased risk of kidney cancer (Wilms' tumour), brain tumours, Ewing's bone sarcoma and acute leukaemia. This paper examines the association between potential occupational exposure of fathers to pesticides and offspring's death from cancer in a large national database. Records for 167703 childhood deaths occurring during 1959-63, 1970-78 and 1979-90 in England and Wales have been analysed. Among the offspring of men with potential occupational exposure to pesticides there were 5270 deaths, of which 449 were due to cancer. Associations were assessed using proportional mortality ratios (PMRs), with adjustment for age, year of death and paternal social class. Of the childhood cancers previously linked with potential paternal occupational exposure to pesticides, the only statistically significant excess was for kidney cancer (PMR=1.59, 95% CI=1.18-2.15, based on 42 deaths). Although these results offer some support for the suggestion that paternal occupational exposure to pesticides may be related to the subsequent development of kidney cancer in offspring, other explanations cannot be excluded. In the light of the findings presented here and elsewhere, further, more detailed, research into the nature of this relationship is warranted.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2003

Decisions about parental care in response to perceived paternity.

Evolutionary ecologists are attempting to explain how parents make behavioural decisions about how much care to provide to their young. Theory predicts that when genetic relatedness to young is decreased by cuckoldry, for example, parents should reduce their care in favour of alternative broods that provide greater reproductive success. Experimental manipulation of perceived paternity has been used to test the theory, but such studies have generated mixed results. Some manipulations can fail to alter a parent's perceived paternity, whereas others may directly affect parental behaviour when, for instance, the manipulation involves capturing the parent. No study has demonstrated parental care adjustment in a manner uncomplicated by experimental design or life history correlates. Here I test the theory using the fact that nest-tending parental male bluegill sunfish (Lepomis macrochirus) can assess their paternity using both the visual presence of parasitic cuckolder males during spawning, and olfactory cues released by newly hatched eggs. By manipulating both types of cues I show that parental males dynamically adjust their parental care, favouring broods that are apparently most closely related. These results confirm the importance of genetic relatedness in parental care decision-making.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

Microsatellites indicate a high frequency of multiple paternity in Apodemus (Rodentia).

Microsatellites were employed to estimate frequency of multiple paternity litters of two species of mice (genus Apodemus): striped field mouse (A. agrarius), and wood mouse (A. sylvaticus). Ten pregnant females of A. agrarius and six of A. sylvaticus were collected from natural populations in the northern Ukraine and analysed with 11 and nine microsatellite loci, respectively. Multiple paternity was indicated in eight of 10 litters in A. agrarius and in three of six litters in A. sylvaticus. Multiple paternity was documented at several loci (ranging from two to 10). In two cases (A. agrarius), three males were estimated to have fathered the litter.

Alleles↗
PubMed1999

Where have all the fathers gone? An extensive microsatellite analysis of paternity in the grey seal (Halichoerus grypus).

Microsatellites were used to conduct an extensive analysis of paternity of grey seals from two Scottish breeding colonies at North Rona (n = 1189) and the Isle of May (n = 694), spanning more than a decade. A maximum of 46% of pups at North Rona and 29% of pups at the Isle of May could be allocated a father, even though the majority of candidate males for specific study sites within each colony were believed to have been sampled. Based on the paternities which could be assigned, both colonies showed evidence of reproductive skew, apparently due to the presence of approximately five males who were exceptionally successful. Some males were assigned paternities at least 10 years before, and colleagues 10 years after, being sampled, implying a reproductive lifespan of at least 10 years, and there are indications that the real maximum lies in the range 15-20 years. Male grey seals appear to have at least two breeding strategies they can adopt. On land, some males benefit from a traditionally polygynous system. However, between 50 and 70% of grey seal pups born at a particular colony are not fathered by males who are likely to be sampled by us, implying that these males seldom venture ashore here. We conclude that aquatic mating may play a much larger role in the grey seal than has previously been thought.

Animals↗