Transgenerational epigenetics of endocrine-disrupting chemicals in mammals

Abstract Epigenetic transgenerational inheritance represents the germ line transmission of epigenetic information, known as sperm or ovary epimutations, between generations without need of continuous environmental exposure. There are many documented mechanisms of transgenerational epigenetic inheritance; the differential DNA methylation appears the better known, but other mechanisms, acting possibly in synergism, have been shown to produce epimutations, as noncoding RNAs, the presence of specific histone retention sites, chromatin remodeling proteins. Epigenetic transgenerational effects have been reported in various species of plants and animals after exposure to several environmental situations, including stress and the amount of food available. On the other side, environmental pollutants, in particular endocrine disrupters (EDs), such as the agricultural fungicide vinclozolin, herbicide atrazine, plastic-derived bisphenol A, phthalates, hydrocarbons jet fuel JP8, pesticides as permethrin, N,N diethyl-meta-toluamide, methoxychlor, and dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane, appear to be involved and, due to their large diffusion, represent potential human treats. In this chapter, we will briefly review the most relevant animal studies involving transgenerational effects produced by EDs. The general conclusion that can be drawn from literature is that the transgenerational transmission of pathological characters produced by epigenetic alterations has been shown in animals, at least in some specific experimental conditions, but a clear demonstration of its occurrence in humans is still lacking.