Impacts of paternal environment and lifestyle on maternal health during pregnancy

Pregnancy represents a time of dramatic physiological adaptation by the mother in which dramatic changes in maternal cardiovascular, metabolic and immune systems occur. These adaptations, initiated from the earliest stages of gestation, are crucial for the implantation and continued development of the embryo, the establishment of the placenta and the growth of the fetus. Impairments in the normal adaptation of the maternal cardiovascular, metabolic and immune systems underlie the aetiology of gestational disorders such as preeclampsia and gestational diabetes. Studies have shown that the development of such gestational complications not only affects the well-being of the mother but also the short- and long-term health of her offspring. While the connection between maternal lifestyle factors and the development of gestational disorders such as preeclampsia and gestational diabetes has been studied in detail, the link between a father's lifestyle and the well-being of the mother during pregnancy has received less attention. In this review, we will explore the evidence that a range of paternal factors, such as age and diet, at the time of conception can not only affect the development of his offspring, but also the well-being of the mother during pregnancy. In addition, we will examine the sperm- and seminal plasma-specific mechanisms that conned the health of the father with that of the mother and his offspring.

Automated summary

Pregnancy involves dramatic physiological changes in the mother's cardiovascular, metabolic, and immune systems, affecting the development of the embryo, placenta, and fetus. Impairments in maternal adaptation may lead to gestational disorders, impacting the health of both the mother and her offspring. While maternal lifestyle factors are well-studied, the influence of a father's lifestyle on the mother's well-being during pregnancy remains less explored.