Open AccessImprinting methylation errors in ART
Author(s) -
Hiura Hitoshi,
Okae Hiroaki,
Chiba Hatsune,
Miyauchi Naoko,
Sato Fumi,
Sato Akiko,
Arima Takahiro
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
reproductive medicine and biology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.005
H-Index - 22
eISSN - 1447-0578
pISSN - 1445-5781
DOI - 10.1007/s12522-014-0183-3
Subject(s) - imprinting (psychology) , intracytoplasmic sperm injection , epigenetics , assisted reproductive technology , genomic imprinting , reproductive technology , in vitro fertilisation , reproductive medicine , medicine , bioinformatics , biology , dna methylation , pregnancy , genetics , infertility , embryo , embryogenesis , gene expression , gene
There has been an increase in incidence reports of rare imprinting disorders associated with assisted reproductive technology (ART). ART, including in vitro fertilization and intracytoplasmic sperm injections, is an important treatment for infertile people of reproductive age and increasingly produces children. The identification of epigenetic changes at imprinted loci in ART infants has led to the suggestion that ART techniques themselves may predispose embryos to acquire imprinting errors and diseases. In this review, we note that the particular steps of ART may be prone to induction of imprinting methylation errors during gametogenesis, fertilization and early embryonic development. In addition, we explain imprint‐associated diseases and their causes. Moreover, from a Japanese nationwide epidemiological study of imprint‐associated diseases, we determine their associations with ART. Epigenetic studies will be required to understand the pathogenesis, ART‐related risk factor(s) and what precautions can be taken to prevent the occurrence of input methylation errors. We hope that the constitution of children born after each ART procedure will reveal the safest and most ethical approach to use, which will be invaluable for the future development of standard ART.