# Can behavior affect our DNA **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [November 7, 2023, 6:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-behavior-affect-our-dna/992736 "2023-11-07T06:40:29Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 17\ **Page:** 11
**Author:** ![thorny\_locust](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thorny_locust/32/431_2.png) [@thorny\_locust](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thorny_locust)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2023, 10:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-behavior-affect-our-dna/992736/201 "2023-11-21T22:08:13Z")
> [@HoneyBadgerDC](#): > > The only claim I wanted to establish was the connection of the brain to the testes. The article you quoted (which I have read) says nothing whatsoever about there being any connection of the brain to the testes. It says that they have similar proteins; it then says that this may be because there are some similarities in how they function; it then proceeds to say this is analogous to convergent evolution – giving the example of koalas and humans having similar fingerprints despite having had no genetic connection for 70 million years. So no, that article does not in any way whatsoever back your wild guess that the similarity of the proteins means that the brain and testes are communicating with each other. If anything, it contradicts that guess. ---
**Author:** ![Cardigan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cardigan/32/187_2.png) [@Cardigan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cardigan)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2023, 10:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-behavior-affect-our-dna/992736/202 "2023-11-21T22:23:41Z")
> [@Euphonious\_Polemic](#): > > Not all questions are equal in quality, however. Despite what some teachers might say, there ARE such things as stupid questions. Or the old saying ‘it is better to say nothing and be thought a fool than to open one’s mouth and remove all doubt.’ ---
**Author:** ![HoneyBadgerDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/honeybadgerdc/32/1033_2.png) [@HoneyBadgerDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HoneyBadgerDC)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2023, 10:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-behavior-affect-our-dna/992736/203 "2023-11-21T22:27:00Z")
> [@Cardigan](#): > > > [@Euphonious\_Polemic](#): > > > > Not all questions are equal in quality, however. Despite what some teachers might say, there ARE such things as stupid questions. > > Or the old saying ‘it is better to say nothing and be thought a fool than to open one’s mouth and remove all doubt I am not sure how this relates to the post. You may have this confused with the pit thread. ---
**Author:** ![HoneyBadgerDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/honeybadgerdc/32/1033_2.png) [@HoneyBadgerDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HoneyBadgerDC)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2023, 11:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-behavior-affect-our-dna/992736/204 "2023-11-21T23:05:06Z")
> [@thorny\_locust](#): > > So no, that article does not in any way whatsoever back your wild guess that the similarity of the proteins means that the brain and testes are communicating with each other. If anything, it contradicts that guess. If I can’t find a credible source for this I will concede. It might be a matter of how you interpret communicate. Both the brain and the testes send out chemicals that both will be exposed to. And they both respond to these chemicals so there would be a feedback loop, and if there is magic this is where it would happen. ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2023, 12:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-behavior-affect-our-dna/992736/205 "2023-11-22T12:16:21Z")
Are you aware that every single organ in the body sends out chemicals that every other organ will be exposed to? I mean, okay, the teeth may not send out signals. But the bones, skin, heart, and other muscles do, and that’s pretty much the main point of most glands. ---
**Author:** ![Cardigan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cardigan/32/187_2.png) [@Cardigan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cardigan)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2023, 12:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-behavior-affect-our-dna/992736/206 "2023-11-22T12:51:14Z")
You’re right. That was pretty mean-spirited of me. Sorry. Uncalled for. I’ve been in your shoes before. ---
**Author:** ![HoneyBadgerDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/honeybadgerdc/32/1033_2.png) [@HoneyBadgerDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HoneyBadgerDC)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2023, 1:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-behavior-affect-our-dna/992736/207 "2023-11-22T13:19:23Z")
> [@puzzlegal](#): > > Are you aware that every single organ in the body sends out chemicals that every other organ will be exposed to? I mean, okay, the teeth may not send out signals. But the bones, skin, heart, and other muscles do, and that’s pretty much the main point of most glands. I went out of my way to show a slightly different relationship here, primarily in the blood brain barrier tissue structure. But yes, I am aware. ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2023, 1:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-behavior-affect-our-dna/992736/208 "2023-11-22T13:39:03Z")
Eyes are also rather isolated from the rest of the body. If you wanted to say, “hey, i noticed a bunch of interesting similarities between the brain and the testes”, you might have gotten a more welcoming reaction. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2023, 1:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-behavior-affect-our-dna/992736/209 "2023-11-22T13:43:12Z")
> [@puzzlegal](#): > > Eyes are also rather isolated from the rest of the body. Indeed, the lens of the eye is encased in a shell to keep the lens proteins isolated. If the lens capsule tears, there’s an immediate inflammatory response. The same thing happens with hair! The hair follicle isolates the hair protein. If the follicle bursts, the body reacts as if the hair is foreign material. ---
**Author:** ![74westy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/74westy/32/3950_2.png) [@74westy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/74westy)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2023, 3:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-behavior-affect-our-dna/992736/210 "2023-11-22T15:07:29Z")
> [@HoneyBadgerDC](#): > > I went out of my way to show a slightly different relationship here, primarily in the blood brain barrier tissue structure I’m not sure how the brain and the testes being isolated from the rest of the body advances your case. ---
**Author:** ![HoneyBadgerDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/honeybadgerdc/32/1033_2.png) [@HoneyBadgerDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HoneyBadgerDC)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2023, 6:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-behavior-affect-our-dna/992736/211 "2023-11-22T18:30:15Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > The same thing happens with hair! The hair follicle isolates the hair protein. If the follicle bursts, the body reacts as if the hair is foreign material. When I was about 19 styling our hair with hairdryers was the thing. One time I burned my scalp pretty bad and my hair started falling out. Within about a year it settled in to where it pretty much stayed for the next 30 years or so. It would grow about 1" then fall out. I wonder if my follicles were exploding? ---
**Author:** ![HoneyBadgerDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/honeybadgerdc/32/1033_2.png) [@HoneyBadgerDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HoneyBadgerDC)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2023, 11:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-behavior-affect-our-dna/992736/212 "2023-11-22T23:15:11Z")
> **[Study illuminates mechanism that annotates genetic information passed from...](https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2023/09/230906161820.htm)** > > Scientists have identified a key part of a mechanism that annotates genetic information before it is passed from fathers to their offspring. The findings shed new light on genomic imprinting, a fundamental, biological process in which a gene from one... ---
**Author:** ![Leaper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/4bbf92/32.png) [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2023, 1:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-behavior-affect-our-dna/992736/213 "2023-11-23T01:41:35Z")
Well, I mean, behavior can _definitely_ affect DNA. If I choose to walk into the Chernobyl reactor room… ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2023, 2:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-behavior-affect-our-dna/992736/214 "2023-11-23T02:33:19Z")
Moderating: > [@HoneyBadgerDC](#): > > [Seminal fluid: Current Biology (cell.com)](https://www.cell.com/current-biology/fulltext/S0960-9822(17)30363-9?fbclid=IwAR0JnVmLYmp_7PFq2nLDYw-OIGPZqiBdx1Z1b5eBl5ZGPl0D-LZ3oAZbO10) > > I thought this was interesting. > [@HoneyBadgerDC](#): > > [Our Brains Have More in Common With Testicles Than You Ever Wanted to Know : ScienceAlert](https://www.sciencealert.com/brains-and-testicles-have-more-in-common-with-one-another-than-you-ever-really-wanted-to-know) > [@HoneyBadgerDC](#): > > [Study illuminates mechanism that annotates genetic information passed from fathers to offspring | ScienceDaily](https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2023/09/230906161820.htm) Now that the “one box” often shows enough of a link to make it obvious why the link has been posted, we have softened our stance on posting “just a link”. But you are stretching it too far. You’ve posted a raw link, with no discussion, at least three times in this thread, and in every case, there isn’t enough information in your post for a reader to understand why you posted it, and what relevance it has to the thread. Going forward, please indicate why you are posting a link, and give the other posters an idea of what they contain. For instance, I think XYZ. This link [link here] say a and b and c, which support XYZ. Or I came upon this link [link here] and it says (three sentence summary of link) which I thought was really interesting. What do you think? Please stop posting naked links in this thread. ---
**Author:** ![HoneyBadgerDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/honeybadgerdc/32/1033_2.png) [@HoneyBadgerDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HoneyBadgerDC)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2023, 2:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-behavior-affect-our-dna/992736/215 "2023-11-23T02:34:14Z")
I accidentally sent the wrong link I didn’t realize it ---
**Author:** ![HoneyBadgerDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/honeybadgerdc/32/1033_2.png) [@HoneyBadgerDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HoneyBadgerDC)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2023, 3:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-behavior-affect-our-dna/992736/216 "2023-11-23T03:19:30Z")
Here is something on seminal fluid ## Abstract The evidence supports the occurrence of environmentally-induced paternal epigenetic inheritance that shapes the offspring phenotype in the absence of direct or indirect paternal care and clearly demonstrates that sperm epigenetics is one of the major actors mediating these paternal effects. However, in most animals, while sperm makes up only a small portion of the seminal fluid, males also have a complex mixture of proteins, peptides, different types of small noncoding RNAs, and cell-free DNA fragments in their ejaculate. These seminal fluid contents (Sfcs) are in close contact with the reproductive cells, tissues, organs, and other molecules of both males and females during reproduction. Moreover, their production and use are adjusted in response to environmental conditions, making them potential markers of environmentally- and developmentally-induced paternal effects on the next generation(s). Although there is some intriguing evidence for Sfc-mediated paternal effects, the underlying molecular mechanisms remain poorly defined. In this review, the current evidence regarding the links between seminal fluid and environmental paternal effects and the potential pathways and mechanisms that seminal fluid may follow in mediating paternal epigenetic inheritance are discussed. Keywords: ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2023, 3:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-behavior-affect-our-dna/992736/217 "2023-11-23T03:39:46Z")
Uh… Just blindly quoting an abstract really doesn’t cut it, either. You need to say why you are posting the thing, and what you think it means. Here, I’m guessing you are taking this as evidence of your hypothesis that… I’m not sure what your hypothesis is, actually. But i read that abstract to suggest that, for example, is the male is stressed and his ejaculate contains unusual amounts of stress hormones, that might influence the epigenetics of the resulting zygote. I’ve read some articles about the effects of famine on epigenetics, for example. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-behavior-affect-our-dna/992736.md?page=10)