Epigenetic pathways linked to male fertility in ex situ managed black-footed ferrets

In our first study, we generated reduced representation bisulfite sequencing data for male black-footed ferrets (Mustela nigripes) managed ex situ to explore the role of DNA methylation in reproductive health and wildlife conservation. Our sample set included nine testes tissues, eight whole blood samples, and five semen samples to explore patterns of methylation across three distinct tissue types. In our second study, we used the same methodological approach to explore epigenetic variation in semen samples collected from male black-footed ferrets sampled in situ (n=5) and ex situ (n=12).