Absence of paternal systemic melatonin and sperm characteristics

Pineal gland provides temporal and seasonal information to the organism through the secretion of melatonin. Reduction or absence of melatonin levels in adults, as observed in night shift workers and pinealectomized animals, is associated with metabolic disorders. Adult offspring gestated by mothers lacking systemic melatonin show detrimental changes in physical development and energy metabolism. Paternal health can also affect energy metabolism of their offspring. Studies suggest that these changes are of epigenetic origin, transmitted through the parental gametes. Besides, melatonin can modulate epigenetic mechanisms and spermatogenesis. As the majority of studies focus on the maternal perspective, the present work aims to impel the evaluation of the paternal melatonin and its possible effects both on paternal sperm quality and offspring`s health.