A new study has shown how men sperms can be affected by childhood trauma. Researchers have identified how it affects them after measuring two types of sperm microRNAs in twenty-eight adult white men. The levels of these miRNAs were found to be lower in men who scored higher on a questionnaire used in assessing exposure to abuse and trauma in childhood.
The small molecules which regulate genes do not alter the DNA sequence in cells, however, do control the genes which will be active and when they will. The researchers also assessed childhood stress using the Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) questionnaire. It included ten questions about the stressful experiences they go through until the age of eighteen years which included physical, verbal or sexual abuse and emotional neglect.