Sperm sncRNA networks are synchronized by a coordination between adverse childhood experiences (ACE) and current stress

While stress in the environment alters sperm function and fertility, the underlying biology is not understood. Our prior studies showed that current stress could significantly change the composition and levels of sperm small noncoding (sncRNA) and impact sperm motility in men. However, the additional influence of adversity experienced earlier in life, designated as adverse childhood experiences (ACE), on sperm sncRNA dynamics remains unclear. To expand our understanding of the important relationship between ACE and stress, we recruited a longitudinal human cohort and modeled differential sncRNA and co-expression networks associated with perceived stress and ACE. Utilizing a repeated measures design, we were able to identify significant time-dependent interactions between ACE and perceived stress that resulted in differential sncRNA expression. Furthermore, network analyses revealed ACE and perceived stress coordinated sncRNA across subtypes, including miRNA that target genes important for offspring development. As these changes were identified widely across sncRNA subtypes, our findings reflect a novel and exciting synchronization strategy by which current and past experiences can impact the next generation. Evolutionarily, this coordination would preserve sncRNA modules essential for species survival while allowing refinement around developmental pathways important for intergenerational fitness.