July 29, 2024 

PFAS exposure in adult male mice resulted in abnormal sperm methylation and altered gene expression in offspring tissues important for metabolic health, according to researchers from the NIEHS-funded Environmental Health Sciences Core Center (Core Center) at Wayne State University (WSU). Methylation occurs when a molecule called a methyl group attaches to DNA and determines which genes are turned on or off.

According to the researchers, their data suggest that PFAS exposure in males prior to offspring conception can negatively affect the health of the next generation.

“I hope these findings promote an appreciation of male health on their offspring’s development,” said Richard Pilsner, Ph.D., who co-led the study with Michael Petriello, Ph.D. “In addition to female partners, clinical doctors advising male partners that their preconception health impacts their children’s health would be a significant change to positively impact future generations.”

The research was supported in part by a WSU Core Center pilot project awarded to Pilsner and Petriello to examine the connections between PFAS mixtures, sperm methylation, and cardiometabolic disease risk in offspring.

Read the publication and WSU news story to learn more.