Detroit researchers find connection between PFAS exposure in men and the health of their offspring

DETROIT – Wayne State University researchers are reporting new findings that demonstrate a link between exposure to per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS) in males and health issues in their offspring.

The study, “Mixtures of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) alter sperm methylation and long-term reprogramming of offspring liver and fat transcriptome,” published recently in Environment International, assessed the effect of PFAS mixtures on the sperm methylome and transcriptional changes in offspring metabolic tissues such as in the liver and fat.

“PFAS research is important, especially in Michigan,” said Michael C. Petriello, Ph.D., assistant professor in the Institute of Environmental Health Sciences and the Department of Pharmacology.  “It has been recently in the news, since the EPA is finally starting to regulate PFAS chemicals and include them as part of the Clean Water Act. All over the country, communities will have standards they will have to meet. PFAS are associated with many chronic diseases and can impact inflammation and the immune system, for instance. This work is focused on reproductive outcomes, fertility and offspring metabolism. The idea that exposure of the father could affect the health of offspring is entirely new.”

“Dr. Petriello’s prior work has shown that PFAS exposure has effects on cardio-metabolic health,” said J. Richard Pilsner, Ph.D., M.P.H., professor of obstetrics and gynecology, associate director of the C.S. Mott Center for Human Growth and Development and the Robert J. Sokol, M.D. Endowed Chair of Molecular Obstetrics and Gynecology. “What my research has done is examine paternal exposures and how they may affect the next generation through sperm-related markers. The burden has always been on maternal health during pregnancy in regard to the health of offspring. This research shows that environmental health prior to conception also is a key factor that affects offspring health and development.”

The team’s results demonstrate that exposure to a mixture of legacy and newly emerging PFAS chemicals in adult male mice result in aberrant sperm methylation and altered gene expression of offspring liver and fat in a sex-specific manner. These data indicate that preconception PFAS exposure in males can be transmitted to affect phenotype in the next generation.

“I hope these findings promote an appreciation of male health on their offspring’s development,” said Pilsner. “In addition to female partners, clinical doctors advising male partners that their pre-conception health impacts their children’s health would be a significant change to positively impact future generations.”

“This cutting-edge research may have a significant impact on how individuals look at harmful chemicals in their communities, and ultimately how medical professionals advise their patients,” said Ezemenari M. Obasi, Ph.D., vice president for research at Wayne State University. “Our researchers are playing a crucial role in investigating new methods to improve the well-being of people locally, nationally and beyond, and are an excellent example of how Wayne State is empowering health in  our neighborhoods, as well as fueling innovation with creative solutions to benefit the public.”

To read the full paper, visit https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0160412024001636.

This research is supported by funding from the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences of the National Institutes of Health (ES028214,ES030942, ES030991, ES034407) and pilot funding from the Center for Urban Responses to Environmental Stressors which is funded by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (P30-ES020957).

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Wayne State University is one of the nation’s pre-eminent public research universities in an urban setting. Through its multidisciplinary approach to research and education, and its ongoing collaboration with government, industry and other institutions, the university seeks to enhance economic growth and improve the quality of life in the city of Detroit, state of Michigan and throughout the world. For more information about research at Wayne State University, visit research.wayne.edu.