Fig. 2

Epigenetic alterations induced by lifestyle and environmental factors (diet, smoking, radiation, alcohol consumption, etc.) can have substantial effects on the sperm function. As a first consequence, these modifications can induce sperm alterations leading to impairment of male fertility. When fertilization occurs, spontaneously or by ART, transgenerational epigenetic effects can be observed, in details leading to (1) alterations of embryo development, (2) congenital diseases at birth, and (3) late onset diseases (obesity, hypertension, diabetes, etc.) in the adult life