Researcher’s Link Season of Birth with Allergy Risk

Researcher's Link Season of Birth with Allergy Risk - Health Council

“Epigenetic marks are attached onto DNA, and can influence gene expression (the process by which specific genes are activated to produce a required protein) for years, maybe even into the next generation. Our study has linked specific epigenetic marks with season of birth and risk of allergy. However, while these results have clinical implications in mediating against allergy risk, we are not advising altering pregnancy timing.”

“Dr Gabrielle Lockett, of the University of Southampton and first author of the study, adds: “It might sound like a horoscope by the seasons, but now we have scientific evidence for how that horoscope could work. Because season of birth influences so many things, the epigenetic marks discovered in this study could also potentially be the mechanism for other seasonally influenced diseases and traits too, not just allergy.”

Read the full article: DNA markers link season of birth, allergy risk