From sperm to offspring: epigenetic markers for dairy herd fertility

Abstract In recent years, the study of bovine sperm epigenetics has garnered increasing attention alongside research on biomarkers associated with dairy cattle fertility. Male gametes not only transmit the paternal haploid genome to the offspring through fertilization, but also convey epigenetic components, such as DNA methylation, small non-coding RNA, histone variants, and histone modifications to offspring. This epigenetic information may transmit an acquired phenotype leading to intergenerational inheritance. The ongoing worldwide decline in dairy herd fertility affecting both males and females causes significant economic losses for dairy farmers. Previous scientific efforts to address this issue primarily targeted genetic aspects, identifying numerous fertility-related QTLs (Quantitative trait locus) and SNPs (Single nucleotide polymorphisms). However, since fertility is influenced by genetic, epigenetic, and environmental factors, this review highlights the importance of identifying sperm epigenetic markers as additional tools for evaluating and predicting cattle fertility.