Transgenerational transmission of reproductive and metabolic dysfunction in the male progeny of polycystic ovary syndrome

Abstract

The transgenerational maternal effects of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) in female progeny are being revealed. As there is evidence that a male equivalent of PCOS may exists, we ask whether sons born to mothers with PCOS (PCOS-sons) transmit reproductive and metabolic phenotypes to their male progeny. Here, in a register-based cohort and a clinical case-control study, we find that PCOS-sons are more often obese and dyslipidemic. Our prenatal androgenized PCOS-like mouse model with or without diet-induced obesity confirmed that reproductive and metabolic dysfunctions in first-generation (F₁) male offspring are passed down to F₃. Sequencing of F₁-F₃ sperm reveals distinct differentially expressed (DE) small non-coding RNAs (sncRNAs) across generations in each lineage. Notably, common targets between transgenerational DEsncRNAs in mouse sperm and in PCOS-sons serum indicate similar effects of maternal hyperandrogenism, strengthening the translational relevance and highlighting a previously underappreciated risk of transmission of reproductive and metabolic dysfunction via the male germline.

Keywords: adipose tissue; male offspring; male offspring to male germline; maternal hyperandrogenism; maternal obesity; polycystic ovary syndrome; small non-coding RNAs; sperm; transgenerational transmission.