Dupont Cathérine, Armant D Randall, Brenner Carol A
Departments of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan 48201, USA.
Semin Reprod Med. 2009 Sep;27(5):351-7. doi: 10.1055/s-0029-1237423. Epub 2009 Aug 26.
A vast array of successive epigenetic modifications ensures the creation of a healthy individual. Crucial epigenetic reprogramming events occur during germ cell development and early embryogenesis in mammals. As highlighted by the large offspring syndrome with in vitro conceived ovine and bovine animals, any disturbance during germ cell development or early embryogenesis has the potential to alter epigenetic reprogramming. Therefore the complete array of human assisted reproductive technology (ART), starting from ovarian hormonal stimulation to embryo uterine transfer, could have a profound impact on the epigenetic state of human in vitro produced individuals. Although some investigators have suggested an increased incidence of epigenetic abnormalities in in vitro conceived children, other researchers have refuted these allegations. To date, multiple reasons can be hypothesized why irrefutable epigenetic alterations as a result of ART have not been demonstrated yet.
一系列连续的表观遗传修饰确保了健康个体的形成。关键的表观遗传重编程事件发生在哺乳动物的生殖细胞发育和早期胚胎发生过程中。正如体外受精的绵羊和牛所出现的大后代综合征所强调的那样，生殖细胞发育或早期胚胎发生过程中的任何干扰都有可能改变表观遗传重编程。因此，从卵巢激素刺激到胚胎子宫移植的完整人类辅助生殖技术（ART）阵列，可能会对体外培养个体的表观遗传状态产生深远影响。尽管一些研究人员认为体外受精儿童表观遗传异常的发生率有所增加，但其他研究人员驳斥了这些说法。迄今为止，可以推测出多个原因，解释为什么尚未证实ART导致的无可辩驳的表观遗传改变。
