Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada.
Reproduction. 2012 Oct;144(4):393-409. doi: 10.1530/REP-12-0237. Epub 2012 Sep 6.
Gamete and early embryo development are important stages when genome-scale epigenetic transitions are orchestrated. The apparent lack of remodeling of differential imprinted DNA methylation during preimplantation development has lead to the argument that epigenetic disruption by assisted reproductive technologies (ARTs) is restricted to imprinted genes. We contend that aberrant imprinted methylation arising from assisted reproduction or infertility may be an indicator of more global epigenetic instability. Here, we review the current literature on the effects of ARTs, including ovarian stimulation, in vitro oocyte maturation, oocyte cryopreservation, IVF, ICSI, embryo culture, and infertility on genomic imprinting as a model for evaluating epigenetic stability. Undoubtedly, the relationship between impaired fertility, ARTs, and epigenetic stability is unquestionably complex. What is clear is that future studies need to be directed at determining the molecular and cellular mechanisms giving rise to epigenetic errors.
配子和早期胚胎发育是基因组规模的表观遗传转变协调的重要阶段。在胚胎植入前发育过程中，差异印记 DNA 甲基化没有明显的重塑，这导致了辅助生殖技术 (ARTs) 的表观遗传干扰仅限于印记基因的论点。我们认为，辅助生殖或不孕引起的异常印记甲基化可能是更广泛的表观遗传不稳定性的指标。在这里，我们回顾了关于 ARTs 的当前文献，包括卵巢刺激、体外卵母细胞成熟、卵母细胞冷冻保存、体外受精、卵胞浆内单精子注射、胚胎培养和不孕，作为评估表观遗传稳定性的模型。毫无疑问，受损的生育能力、ARTs 和表观遗传稳定性之间的关系是复杂的。显而易见的是，未来的研究需要确定导致表观遗传错误的分子和细胞机制。
