Paternal neonatal sevoflurane exposure induces intergenerational anxiety via epididymal DNMT2-dependent sperm transfer RNA derived small RNA remodelling in rats

The authors investigate whether neonatal exposure to sevoflurane in male rats leads to intergenerational anxiety through epigenetic changes in sperm, specifically via DNA methyltransferase 2 (DNMT2)-dependent remodelling of transfer RNA-derived small RNAs (tsRNAs). Their findings reveal that such exposure induces anxiety-like behaviors in both the exposed males and their first-generation offspring, with underlying mechanisms involving altered HPA axis function and sperm tsRNA profiles. The study highlights the role of epididymal DNMT2 as a critical mediator in the inheritance of anxiety-related traits following anaesthesia exposure.