From fathers to offspring: epigenetic impacts of diet and lifestyle on fetal development

Recent research highlights that adverse parental factors can profoundly affect fetal development and long-term health through epigenetic regulation. The concept of 'Paternal Origins of Health and Disease' (POHaD) shifts the focus toward the significance of paternal health in embryonic development, pregnancy, and offspring growth. Specifically, a father's lifestyle and dietary choices before conception can alter the epigenetic marks of sperm, thereby influencing gene expression in the child. Evidence from preclinical studies, particularly in animal models, demonstrates that paternal dietary patterns such as fasting, low-protein diets, and excessive intake of fats, sugars, and oils can impact pregnancy outcomes and metabolic processes in offspring. These alterations, mediated by epigenetic mechanisms, are associated with an increased risk of chronic diseases. This article comprehensively reviews findings from both preclinical and limited clinical studies, analyzing how paternal dietary and lifestyle factors shape epigenetic regulatory mechanisms and contribute to transgenerational health impacts. These insights underscore the need to optimize fathers' diets and lifestyles and provide important scientific evidence for the prevention and treatment of diseases originating from paternal influences on fetal health.