Epigenetics in Reproductive Medicine

Epigenetics of reproductive infertility.

Infertility is a complex pathophysiological condition. It may caused by specific or multiple physical and physiological factors, including abnormalities in homeostasis, hormonal imbalances and genetic alterations. In recent times various studies implicated that, aberrant epigenetic mechanisms are associated with reproductive infertility. There might be transgenerational effects associated with ...

Epigenetics and assisted reproductive technology.

During gametogenesis, the female and male germ cells undergo a process whereby imprinting marks are erased from the genome. During the later stages of germ-cell development, the methylation marks of the female and male germ lines are re-established. A second phase of demethylation of the genome occurs at the time of fertilization, and during development of the early embryo. Assisted reproductiv...

Epigenetics: A key paradigm in reproductive health

It is well established that there is a heritable element of susceptibility to chronic human ailments, yet there is compelling evidence that some components of such heritability are transmitted through non-genetic factors. Due to the complexity of reproductive processes, identifying the inheritance patterns of these factors is not easy. But little doubt exists that besides the genomic backbone, ...

Mammalian epigenetics in biology and medicine.

Images in Reproductive Medicine

Natalie Z. Burger, M.D., Y. Elizabeth Hung, M.D., M.P.H., Alexandra N. Kalof, M.D., and Peter R. Casson, M.D. a Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont; b Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, North Shore University Hospital, Manhasset, New York; and c Department of Pathology, University of Ve...