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Understanding Paternal Contributions to Early Embryo Development

Infertility is a global health issue impacting one in six couples attempting to conceive. Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ART), including in vitro fertilization (IVF) and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), offer solutions for many facing infertility. However, a significant challenge persists: identifying embryos with the highest likelihood of successful implantation and full-term development. While efforts have focused on improving embryo culture conditions, a key but often overlooked factor is the role of sperm in embryo quality and viability.

Sperm capacitation is a crucial process that occurs in the female reproductive tract, allowing sperm to fertilize an egg. This process can be replicated in the lab in vitro, providing insights into sperm function and fertilization. After fertilization, the embryo undergoes several stages of development before implantation. While ART techniques enable embryo culture and transfer, implantation success depends on both maternal and paternal factors, as well as environmental influences. Traditionally, research has focused on optimizing embryo culture, but little attention has been given to how sperm incubation conditions may affect embryo quality.

Historically, paternal contributions to early embryogenesis were thought to be limited to delivering DNA and triggering development. However, recent studies suggest that sperm influence embryogenesis through additional mechanisms, including epigenetic modifications. Most research on epigenetic inheritance focuses on how environmental exposures affect gamete development and later generations. However, little is known about how epigenetic changes in mature sperm impact early embryo development immediately after fertilization. Understanding these mechanisms could improve ART success and provide insights into male-factor infertility.