A mother’s age can shape her offspring without changing their DNA
Scientists have found evidence that the effects of a mother’s age on her offspring may be driven by reversible changes in gene activity rather than permanent DNA damage. The discovery raises the fascinating possibility that biological information from mothers, grandmothers, and even great-grandmothers can shape the health of future generations.
A mother's age can influence the physical traits and behavior of her offspring across many species, from invertebrates to humans. Researchers call these changes maternal age effects, which are common in the animal kingdom but still poorly understood. Kristin Gribble, an associate scientist at the Marine Biological Laboratory, studies rotifers, small aquatic animals that reproduce quickly, to uncover the mechanisms behind maternal age effects.
By studying rotifers, her team discovered that maternal age effects may not be caused by mutations in the DNA sequence but rather by epigenetic processes like histone modifications, which turn genes on or off. These effects can even reverse within a single generation, challenging the notion that they are caused by cellular damage or DNA mutations.
Gribble is now investigating whether histone modifications or mitochondrial DNA inherited from mothers could be responsible for transmitting maternal age information to offspring. Additionally, genetic differences may impact how offspring respond to the effects of an older mother. While advanced maternal age is often linked to negative outcomes, genetic variation could sometimes buffer these effects or even produce benefits.
One possible reason maternal age effects persist across species is that natural selection becomes weaker in later life stages, particularly in organisms like rotifers that reproduce early in life. Understanding how maternal effects travel across generations could provide insights into human health and precision medicine, as an individual's biology may be influenced not only by their own DNA but also by the health and environment of previous generations.
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