Is There a Link Between Expression Levels of Histone Deacetylase/Acetyltransferase in Mouse Sperm and Subsequent Blastocyst Development?

Histone acetylation has been known to be significant in spermatogenesis. Histone acetylation is regulated by the act of histone deacetylases (HDACs) and histone acetyltransferases (HATs). We investigated the link between expression levels of HDACs and HATs in mouse sperm and subsequent blastocyst formation rate. In the univariate analysis, expression levels of HDAC1 and HAT were generally not associated with the blastocyst formation rate. When divided by the mature oocyte number category, a significant positive association was observed between the expression levels of HDAC1 and the blastocyst-forming rate in the highest (> 75th) percentile group (a group with ≥34 mature oocytes). In conclusion, expression of sperm HDAC1 could be considered as a possible predictor of embryo development in mice with high ovarian response.