Transgenerational Epigenetics

Transgenerational epigenetic inheritance is the transmission of epigenetic modifications and markers from one generation to at least two subsequent generations of offspring without altering the primary structure of DNA.It differs from intergenerational transmission of epigenetic marks due to continued exposure of gametes or embryos to environmental factors.The best-studied epigenetic marks include DNA methylation, histone modifications, non-coding RNAs, and chromatin structural changes.Records from the verkalix cohort in northern Sweden and the Dutch Hunger Winter have provided multigenerational demographic and health data with strong evidence for intergenerational epigenetic effects.In rodent studies, endocrine disruptors, pesticides, and nutritional deficiencies associate ancestral exposures to altered metabolism, fertility, and disease risk in unexposed descendants across generations.Transgenerational epigenetics is a rapidly evolving field that challenges traditional views of inheritance by suggesting that environmentally induced epigenetic information can persist beyond direct exposure and influence phenotypes across generations.However, even though there is compelling evidence from animal models for germline transmission of epigenetic marks, human clinical data are still limited and are often confounded by intergenerational effects and environmental continuity.