Effects of non-inherited ancestral genotypes on offspring phenotypes

Biol Reprod. 2021 Jun 22:ioab120. doi: 10.1093/biolre/ioab120. Online ahead of print.ABSTRACTIt is well established that environmental exposures can modify the profile of heritable factors in an individual's germ cells, ultimately affecting the inheritance of phenotypes in descendants. Similar to exposures, an ancestor's genotype can also affect the inheritance of phenotypes across generations, sometimes in offspring who do not inherit the genetic aberration. This can occur via a variety of prenatal, in utero, or postnatal mechanisms. In this review, we discuss the evidence for this process in mammals, with a focus on examples that are potentially mediated through the germline, while also considering alternate routes of inheritance. Non-inherited ancestral genotypes may influence descendant's disease risk to a much greater extent than currently appreciated, and focused evaluation of this phenomenon may reveal novel mechanisms of inheritance.PMID:34159361 | DOI:10.1093/biolre/ioab120
Source: Biology of Reproduction - Category: Reproduction Medicine Authors: Source Type: research