Covid Infection In Fathers Before Conception May Influence Offspring’s Brain And Behaviour, Study Finds

A recent animal study has found that Covid-19 infection in males before conception could trigger changes in sperm. These changes may affect brain development and behaviour in their children. The study also suggests a possible increase in the risk of anxiety later in life.

Published in the journal Nature Communications, the research suggests that the impact of Covid-19 may not stop with those infected, but could also affect future generations.

Previous experiments have shown that male mice exposed to certain unfavourable conditions, such as poor nutrition before mating, can affect their offspring. These effects may influence the young mice’s brain development and emotional behaviour.

Professor Anthony Hannan from the Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health at the University of Melbourne stated, “This is because the father’s experiences can alter the information carried in sperm, including specific RNA molecules, which transmit instructions for offspring development.”

In this study, researchers explored whether SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes Covid-19, might have a similar influence.

Male mice that had recovered from the virus later mated with healthy females.

The resulting offspring showed stronger anxiety responses compared with those born to uninfected fathers.

All offspring of infected males showed anxiety-related behaviours. Female offspring, in particular, exhibited changes in gene expression within the hippocampus. This region of the brain is closely linked to mood regulation and emotional well-being.

“These kinds of changes in the hippocampus, as well as other brain regions, may contribute to the increased anxiety we observed in offspring, via epigenetic inheritance and altered brain development,” asserted Dr Carolina Gubert from the Institute.

Further testing revealed that Covid-19 modified the RNA composition in sperm, including molecules that regulate genes involved in brain development.

“If our findings translate to humans, this could affect millions of children and their families worldwide,” Professor Hannan warned. He added that the results carry major implications for public health.

The professor also urged further research into how Covid-19 might influence future generations.

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