To explain if the differences in the sperm methylome contribute to a potential gene dysregulation in the F1DSS epithelium, which could possibly contribute to reduced body weight and increased susceptibility to colitis (Fig. 1a,c–e), we assessed the global mRNA expression profile of EpCAM+ CD45− colonic IECs of mice of the F0 and F1 generation with the latter not being exposed to DSS. Here, EPCAM is linked to colitis.