Effects of parents diet on offspring immunity

A review of studies about parents' diet and the immunity of animal offspring has found a close relationship exists, with implications for wildlife conservation and livestock rearing as well as human health.

The meta-analysis shows the intergenerational immunological response continues even when the offspring are raised on a normal diet the close relationship between diet and immunity exists across the animal kingdom and that poor nutrition can negatively affect many traits, including disease resistance.

Meta-analysis suggests that the effects of a parental diet on immunity can be inherited and that this 'signal' is maintained in offspring in the short term, even if offspring are on the normal diet for their species.The results could be relevant to humans and add to the body of evidence in support of healthy diets while pregnant. Parents need to be mindful of maintaining a healthy diet not only during pregnancy but also before they conceive.
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Chemotherapy may have effects on intergenerational fertility

Chemotherapy treatment can damage the fertility of women and their children. The treatment can reduce the levels of fertility and chance of having children. Women and men are encouraged to freeze their eggs or sperm before treatment.

But when chemotherapy patients have children naturally, it was usually assumed that their ability to reproduce was unaffected. Children born to women who have had chemotherapy have 72 per cent fewer children of their own than members of the general population.

The effect seems to mainly affect women. Children of men who had chemotherapy treatment may have a similar number of children compared to members of the general population of the same age. Daughters of women who had chemotherapy had 71 per cent fewer children than the general population. Sons of female chemotherapy patients had 87 per cent fewer children.

 This may be caused by epigenetics or changes which can be compared to switches that turn on or off certain genes in the DNA passed on to a person’s offspring. Recent studies have found that, smoking causes epigenetic changes in DNA. Chemotherapy given to women may have intergenerational effects on fertility.
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Links between household chemicals and birth defects

Common household chemicals are air freshener, deodorant, disinfectant, laundry detergent and fabric softener.

Birth defects occur when both parents were exposed, as well as when one parent was exposed.

Exposure to these common household chemicals can affect the embryonic development and cause permanent deformation to the fetus.

A common ingredient of household products, known as quaternary ammonium compounds or 'quats', is responsible for the harmful effects.

It may affect sperm count, ovulation and cause miscarriage in some cases. Couple planning to have children should use these chemicals with caution.

Pregnant women must be very careful while using these chemicals or minimize exposure to avoid having children with neural tube defects.
 
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