Pilot Study on How Healthy and High-Fat Diets Affect DNA in Sperm and Metabolic Health in Men Aged 20 to 35

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are investigating how a high-fat diet affects DNA methylation in the sperm of healthy men aged 20 to 35. This study explores the Paternal Origins of Health and Disease hypothesis, which suggests that a fathers diet can influence the genetic markers related to obesity and metabolic diseases in his offspring. Observational studies have linked high-fat and processed food diets to reduced sperm quality and changes in DNA methylation, but this study will experimentally test these effects. The study involves 10 healthy male participants who will follow two diet plans a healthy diet 27% fat, 55% carbohydrate, 15% protein followed by a high-fat diet 50% fat, 35% carbohydrate, 15% protein. Researchers will observe how these diets impact metabolic flexibility and the metabolic and inflammatory environment, and how these changes relate to DNA methylation in sperm. Participants will consume pre-prepared meals and undergo monitoring during each diet phase. Participants will stay for 24 hours, including overnight, in a research clinic while wearing an accelerometer and continuous glucose monitor. Blood and sperm samples will be collected at baseline and immediately following each diet phase to measure sperm DNA methylation and DNA damage. The study aims to understand diet-induced epigenetic changes in male gametes, with careful monitoring of metabolic and inflammatory responses over the study period.

Diet-Induced Changes in GEnetic Material