Martin H. Brinkworth

TL;DR: The most recent research into mammalian spermatozoal chromatin composition is discussed, supporting the hypothesis that the spermatozoon delivers a novel epigenetic signature to the egg that may be crucial for normal development and some thoughts on why this signature may be required in early embryogenesis.

TL;DR: The results show unequivocally that, in contrast to the endonuclease-resistant sperm chromatin packaged by protamines, regions of increased end onuclease sensitivity are closely associated with gene regulatory regions, including many promoter sequences and sequences recognized by CCCTC-binding factor (CTCF).

TL;DR: Examination of sperm and lymphocytes after treatment with six oestrogenic compounds and variable responses with SOD indicate a lesser involvement of superoxide anion radicals due to SOD-mediated conversion ofsuperoxide to hydrogen peroxide generally causing a lower level of DNA damage than other ROS, providing evidence that inappropriate exposure to oestrogensic compounds could lead to free-radical mediated damage.

TL;DR: A consideration of the available evidence indicates that preconceptional paternal exposure to mutagens (particularly radiation, cyclophosphamide and ethylnitrosourea) can indeed, under certain conditions, have adverse effects on offspring and suggests two principal mechanisms by which such effects may be induced.

TL;DR: It is concluded that spontaneous apoptosis can mediate germ cell death in a variety of cell types in the aged human testis.