I hope this piece sparks new conversations around bi-parental preconception care and inspires others to explore the sperm epigenome's effects on placenta, pregnancy, and seize an opportunity for improving intergenerational health
outcomes.

Massive thanks to my incredible co-authors
@annesopepin.bsky.social, Katharina, Johannes, @robertife.bsky.social, Martin & the wonderful @epitep.bsky.social for your warm collaboration, sharing of ideas, and support to make this paper a reality.

To make these connections tangible, we also built ShinySpermPlacenta 💻
An interactive app based on high-fat diet mouse models sperm epigenomes + IMPC data.
👉 Explore here: lnkd.in/gU-x2654

In this review, we bring together the latest evidence showing how a father’s nutrition, through the sperm epigenome, can influence:
🌳 The placenta
🤰 Pregnancy outcomes
👶 Long-term metabolic health of the next generation

I’ve long been fascinated by how sperm and paternal experiences might shape the placenta, and even contribute to disorders like preeclampsia.

That curiosity goes back to my first @reproductionsrb.bsky.social conference, where I met the inspiring @drnathannan.bsky.social & Tu'uhevaha Kaitu'u-Lino.

🔗 Stay Connected:
📬 Join the Network: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...

🌐 Visit our Website:
socialtransfer.net

📅 June 11th, 2025
🕣 08:15 UK / UTC+1
🕤 09:15 Europe / UTC+2
🕔 17:15 Australia / UTC+10

🔗 Interested?
👉 DM me or comment below for the Zoom link!

"Clues from the Placenta: Predicting Pregnancy Complications"
Dr. Lucy Bartho
Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Translational Obstetrics Group, The University of Melbourne, Australia

"The seminal effect – How seminal fluid can influence developmental programming"
Dr. Hannah Morgan
Research Associate, Maternal and Fetal Health Research Centre, University of Manchester, England

This engaging, 1h session will feature three rapid-fire talks followed by lively discussions:
🔬🎤 Programme:
"Altered sperm RNAs drive embryonic changes following heat stress"
Dr. @natrigg.bsky.social
Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Infertility and Reproduction @hmriaustralia.bsky.social, Australia

Huge thanks to everyone who packed out the venue, the amazing Pint of Science team for putting it all together, and to Ioannis for a wonderful talk on Frankenbodies! 🧟‍♂️👏

Science, storytelling, and a pint! That’s my kind of night.🍻🐨🔬

But also such wonderful forum to highlight to the community, the cutting-edge science we're doing at @www.helmholtz-munich.de and the University of Newcastle.

Thanks for the shout out Ben! I think I know exactly which paper you mean, which we sourced data from. Just saw you had @originalastacus.bsky.social on the podcast, super keen to check it out. 😊

Thank you!!☺️