Effects of sperm DNA methylation on domesticated animal performance and perspectives on cross-species epigenetics in animal breeding

Abstract

Identification of sperm-specific DNA methylation markers at different time points is important for the performance improvement of domestic animals. • DNA methylation can regulate sire fertility and semen quality and influence offspring phenotypes. The effects of inter-/trans-generational inherited DNA methylation information induced by paternal experience and environment stimuli should not be underestimated in farm animals. • Cross-species mapping of epigenetic information from the well-studied species (e.g., human and mouse) could help dissect the genetic mechanisms underlying complex traits in farm animals (e.g., cattle and pigs). • In the post-genome-wide association study era, the analysis of relationships between genetic variations and epigenetic modifications will help researchers dissect biological processes underlying complex traits and design advanced selection strategies in animal breeding.