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The key ways in which methylation affects fertility
Learning about fertility can be complicated, and feel overwhelming. There’s so much emotion tied up with the subject, that knowledge can sometimes be more of a burden than a tool. But as always, knowledge is power: by understanding some of the basics, we can help support the biological functions as best we can.
Methylation is crucial for life. It’s a biochemical process that happens in every single cell of our bodies, affecting everything from how we repair our DNA to how we produce energy - and even how new life is generated. While it’s certainly complex to fully understand, at Stride our experts help simplify those concepts, to show how knowledge can really help lead to practical, day-to-day benefits.
The methylation cycle affects fertility in both men and women, naturally in very different ways. Scientists currently studying the specific genes that are affected when DNA methylation is ‘abnormal’ may well hold the key to unlocking treatments - and the knowledge we already have can help improve the detection of adverse risk factors.
Three ways in which methylation affects female fertility
1. Egg Development and Maturation
Part of what healthy methylation does is to regulate gene expression during the period of egg development and it’s maturation. This ensures that the eggs are healthy, and capable of being fertilised. However, if your methylation cycle is functioning less optimally, then it could potentially lead to poor egg quality, infertility and even a higher risk of miscarriage.
2. Implantation
The process of methylation in the endometrial cells - that is, the cells in the uterus - regulate the gene expression necessary to make the uterine lining ready for the implantation of a fertilised egg. Again, an imbalance or poor quality methylation process here can make the endometrium less receptive to the embryo. This, in turn, can contribute to implantation failure and increased risk of pregnancy loss.
3. Embryo development
After successful fertilisation has occurred, the very early stages of embryo development are tightly regulated by methylation. Again, if that methylation is less than optimal, it can increase certain risks: development abnormalities, for instance, or implantation failure.
Three key ways methylation affects male fertility
1.Spermatogenesis
The process of methylation regulates the genes that are responsible for spermatogenesis, or sperm production, in the testes. And so naturally, poor methylation can result in low sperm count or poor sperm quality.
2. Sperm DNA Integrity
Methylation affects the integrity of the DNA in all of our cells, including the sperm. During their maturation, sperm cells undergo extensive change, and the methylation process helps protect the DNA contained in them from damage. However, abnormal or suboptimal methylation may increase DNA fragmentation in sperm, resulting in reduced fertility and in a higher risk of miscarriage.
3. The Future Generation
It may seem hypothetical when you are just starting to talk about children, but it’s nevertheless a reality - methylation can also influence the health of your future offspring. Lifestyle factors such as diet, stress, and toxic exposure can affect sperm methylation, potentially leading to epigenetic changes that can be passed on to the next generation.
Getting to grips with all this information can be a powerful tool. After all, while you can’t change your genes, you can understand them, learn about your own unique methylation profile - and help support it. A deeper understanding of your body can take your health, wellbeing and even fertility to the next level.
Explore what your genes can tell you with a Methylation Report.