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Effects of varicocele on DNA methylation pattern of H19 and Snrpn gene in spermatozoa and behavioural characteristics of adult rat offspring

The aim of this study was to explore the effects of varicocele on DNA methylation pattern of H19 and Snrpn gene in spermatozoa and behavioural characteristics of adult rat offspring. Wistar rats with experimentally induced varicocele were used. The status of promoter methylation of H19 and Snrpn gene in spermatozoa of rats with varicocele or without varicocele was investigated. In addition, the Morris water maze test, elevated plus maze test and forced swimming test were employed to evaluate the learning and memory capability, and emotional behaviour of adult rat offspring. There were no significant differences in DNA methylation levels of H19 and Snrpn gene in spermatozoa among the control group, sham operation group and varicocele‐induced group. Furthermore, no significant differences were found in Morris water maze test and elevated plus maze test among the offspring in the three groups. However, in forced swimming test, the immobility time of offspring (both male and female) in the varicocele‐induced group was significantly longer than that in the control group and the sham operation group. Varicocele does not alter the methylation profiles of H19 and Snrpn gene, but exerts depressant‐like effect on the adult rat offspring.