Genome-wide sperm deoxyribonucleic acid methylation is altered in some men with abnormal chromatin packaging or poor in vitro fertilization embryogenesis

We have identified three individuals displaying broad disruption of sperm DNA methylation profiles. Although the sample set analyzed is relatively small, these results indicate that broad disruptions in sperm DNA methylation may be an important signature in some infertile men. Functional studies will be necessary to characterize the developmental consequences of such epigenetic disruption.