Assisted reproduction treatment and epigenetic inheritance.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The subject of epigenetic risk of assisted reproduction treatment (ART), initiated by reports on an increase of children with the Beckwith-Wiedemann imprinting disorder, is very topical. Hence, there is a growing literature, including mouse studies.

Methods

In order to gain information on transgenerational epigenetic inheritance and epigenetic effects induced by ART, literature databases were searched for papers on this topic using relevant keywords.

Results

At the level of genomic imprinting involving CpG methylation, ART-induced epigenetic defects are convincingly observed in mice, especially for placenta, and seem more frequent than in humans. Data generally provide a warning as to the use of ovulation induction and in vitro culture. In human sperm from

SUBMITTER: van Montfoort AP 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3282574 | biostudies-literature | 2012 Mar-Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature