Paternal Effects in Mammalian Reproduction: Functional, Environmental, and Clinical Relevance of Sperm Components in Early Embryos and Beyond

ABSTRACT

In addition to widely recognized contributions of the paternal genome, centriole, and oocyte‐activation factors, sperm deliver a wide range of macromolecules to the fertilized embryo. The impacts of these factors on the embryo, progeny, and even subsequent generations have become increasingly apparent, along with an understanding of an extensive potential for male health and environmental exposures to exert both immediate and long‐term impacts on mammalian reproduction. Available data reveal that sperm factors interact with and regulate the actions of oocyte factors as well as exerting additional direct effects on the early embryo. This review provides a summary of the nature and mechanisms of paternal effects in early mammalian embryos, long‐term effects in progeny, susceptibility of sperm components to diverse environmental factors, and potential approaches to mitigate adverse effects of such exposures.