Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42309735›Full record

ReviewThe Journal of reproduction and development2026

The bull sperm epigenome: role in male fertility and transmission to the offspring.

Inass Bourassi, Amrita Raja-Ravi-Shankar, Eliaou Sellem, Hélène Kiefer

Abstract readReview
In one paragraph

Review in The Journal of reproduction and development, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

4 authors.

Inass BourassiUniversité Paris-Saclay, UVSQ, INRAE, BREED, 78350, Jouy-en-Josas, France.
Amrita Raja-Ravi-ShankarUniversité Paris-Saclay, UVSQ, INRAE, BREED, 78350, Jouy-en-Josas, France.
Eliaou SellemUniversité Paris-Saclay, UVSQ, INRAE, BREED, 78350, Jouy-en-Josas, France.
Hélène KieferUniversité Paris-Saclay, UVSQ, INRAE, BREED, 78350, Jouy-en-Josas, France.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Extensive DNA methylation and small non-coding RNA modifications occur during male germline differentiation, which are essential for normal spermatogenesis and sperm maturation. Recent evidence has underscored the role of these key regulators in male fertility. However, due to significant environmental and technical variations across the studies, the identification of epigenetic biomarkers relevant to fertility remains challenging. Nevertheless, recent studies using large cohorts and integrative approaches have highlighted sperm epigenetic signatures that improve fertility prediction. In addition, sperm-borne epigenetic marks have been proposed to influence early embryo development and offspring phenotype, supporting the concept of non-genetic inheritance across generations. In breeding sectors and particularly in cattle, while artificial insemination enables the dissemination of paternal genetics at the populational level, some of the broadly used reproductive biotechnologies may impact the sperm epigenetic profile. Therefore, deciphering sperm epigenetic mechanisms has become an important research topic for enhancing breeding efficiency. This review provides an overview of current knowledge on the bovine epigenetic dynamics in male germ cells, their association with fertility and their potential role in embryo development and offspring phenotype, with a focus on DNA methylation and small non-coding RNAs.

Indexed as

Epigenesis, GeneticEpigenomeFertilitySpermatozoaAnimalsCattleDNA MethylationEmbryonic DevelopmentEpigenetic MemoryMaleSpermatogenesisCattleDNA methylationEpigeneticsIntergenerational transmissionMale reproductionSmall non-coding RNAs

Identifiers

PMID42309735
PMCPMC13286713

What OpenQuestion holds

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LicenceCC BY-NC-ND
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.