Epigenetic Legacy: The Role of Sperm miRNAs in the Paternal Inheritance of Diabetes and Obesity Development

Can a father’s health before conception influence the metabolic health of future generations? A new review published in Diabetes/Metabolism Research and Reviews examines growing evidence that sperm microRNAs (miRNAs) play a central role in the epigenetic inheritance of metabolic disorders such as obesity and type 2 diabetes.

The authors summarise how environmental factors—including diet, obesity and metabolic stress—can alter the miRNA profile of sperm without changing the DNA sequence itself. These small regulatory molecules can influence gene expression during early embryonic development, potentially affecting metabolism and disease susceptibility in offspring. The review also discusses findings from animal models demonstrating that changes in sperm miRNAs can transmit metabolic traits across generations and explores the potential of these molecules as biomarkers or therapeutic targets.

By bringing together current knowledge on paternal epigenetic inheritance, the review highlights the importance of considering preconception health in both research and clinical practice. It also underscores the value of well-characterised animal models in uncovering the mechanisms underlying transgenerational inheritance and metabolic disease.

Original publication:
Laurent, Katharina, Raffaele Teperino, Martin Hrabě de Angelis, David A. Skerrett-Byrne, and Johannes Beckers. 2026. “Epigenetic Legacy: The Role of Sperm miRNAs in the Paternal Inheritance of Diabetes and Obesity Development,” Diabetes/Metabolism Research and Reviews: e70157. Full article