Genomic imprinting and assisted reproductive technology: connections and potential risks

Area of Science:

• Reproductive medicine
• Epigenetics
• Developmental biology

Background:

• Assisted reproductive technology (ART) is a standard infertility treatment, leading to a global increase in ART-conceived children.
• While ART reduces infertility, concerns exist regarding potential health and developmental risks for these children.
• Emerging evidence suggests a possible association between ART and imprinting disorders like Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome and Angelman syndrome.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the molecular mechanisms of genomic imprinting.
• To explore how ART procedures might affect gamete and embryo imprinting.
• To examine reported links between ART and imprinting disorders.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of molecular imprinting mechanisms.
• Analysis of potential ART influences on gametic and embryonic imprinting.
• Synthesis of existing reports on ART and imprinting disorders.

Main Results:

• Genomic imprinting is a critical epigenetic process.
• ART procedures may potentially disrupt this imprinting process.
• Reports indicate a possible association between ART and specific imprinting disorders.

Conclusions:

• Long-term follow-up of ART-conceived children is crucial.
• Enhanced understanding of imprinting mechanisms is necessary.
• Developing methods to prevent imprinting disruption is a key goal for ART safety.