304 The Paternal Programming of Periconception Development

Abstract There is now a significant body of human and animal model data which identify common associations between perturbed development during gestation, disproportionate fetal growth poor adult cardiovascular metabolic health. Typically, these studies focus on the impact maternal health offspring well-being. However, growing evidence base indicates that sub-optimal paternal factors (such as diet) can also program ill-health. While link well-being becoming established, attention being focused defining underlying mechanism(s). Here, father may influence post-fertilization through two main pathways, integrity status sperm genome (including epigenome) components seminal plasma. We have used mouse models poor-quality diet to study nutrition has quality epigenetic sperm, embryonic growth. our relative plasma contributions Our continuum changes ranging from testicular morphology, status, preimplantation embryo development, cardio-metabolic ill-health in response either over or undernutrition. Interestingly, we observed long-term effects appear mediated specific mechanisms. highlight significance father’s at time conception for his offspring.