{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,9,13]],"date-time":"2026-09-13T14:04:25Z","timestamp":1789308265781,"version":"build-2803163510"},"reference-count":35,"publisher":"CSIRO Publishing","issue":"14","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2026,9,13]],"date-time":"2026-09-13T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1789257600000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-nd\/4.0\/"}],"content-domain":{"domain":[],"crossmark-restriction":false},"short-container-title":[],"published-print":{"date-parts":[[2026,9,29]]},"abstract":"<jats:p>Male fertility is primarily assessed using descriptive semen parameters, such as sperm concentration, motility and morphology. These conventional parameters provide an initial assessment of male reproductive health and may explain why a couple is struggling to conceive; however, they are not a direct measure of fertility potential. Growing evidence suggests that spermatozoa transmit far more than paternal DNA. Alongside the genome, spermatozoa deliver proteins, RNA and epigenetic information that are responsive to environmental and lifestyle exposures, and can influence embryo development, pregnancy outcomes and offspring health. This emerging concept challenges the view that male fertility is defined solely by successful conception. Here, we discuss evidence that spermatozoa act as carriers of environmental and lifestyle \u2018memories\u2019, transmitting molecular information shaped by paternal health to the next generation. We further consider the implications for assisted reproductive technologies, which select spermatozoa largely on their capacity to move while overlooking the molecular cargo they transmit. Recognising spermatozoa as vectors of environmental information reframes male fertility and highlights the need for biomarkers that assess molecular integrity alongside conventional clinical parameters.<\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.1071\/rd26195","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2026,9,13]],"date-time":"2026-09-13T14:02:36Z","timestamp":1789308156000},"source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":0,"title":["Don\u2019t judge a sperm by its cover"],"prefix":"10.1071","volume":"38","author":[{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-8999-5731","authenticated-orcid":true,"given":"Natalie A.","family":"Trigg","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"ACentre for Reproductive Science, School of Science, The University of Newcastle, Awabakal Country, Callaghan, NSW, Australia."},{"name":"BReproductive and Family Health Research Program, Hunter Medical Research Institute, Awabakal Country, New Lambton Heights, NSW, Australia."}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Nicole O.","family":"McPherson","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"CSchool of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, Department of Reproduction and Development, Adelaide University, Adelaide, SA, Australia."},{"name":"DGenea, Sydney, NSW, Australia."},{"name":"ERobinson Research Institute, Adelaide University, Adelaide, SA, Australia."},{"name":"FFreemasons Centre for Male Health and Wellbeing, Adelaide University, Adelaide, SA, Australia."}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-9150-6052","authenticated-orcid":true,"given":"Lucy A.","family":"Bartho","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"GTranslational Obstetrics Group, The Department of Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Newborn Health, Mercy Hospital for Women, The University of Melbourne, Heidelberg, Vic, Australia."},{"name":"HMercy Perinatal, Mercy Hospital for Women, Heidelberg, Vic, Australia."}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]}],"member":"67","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2026,9,14]]},"reference":[{"key":"2026091310023155600_R1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1186\/s13148-025-01815-1","article-title":"How do lifestyle and environmental factors influence the sperm epigenome? 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