Implications of reproductive technologies for birth and developmental outcomes: imprinting defects and beyond

Assisted reproductive techniques (ARTs) have been widely used over the past two decades to help infertile couples conceive. Recent studies on the ART-conceived population have raised concern about the possible risks of these techniques, in particular with regard to increased incidence of growth and developmental disorders. Some of these effects might be linked to genomic imprinting defects, although current evidence does not allow definite conclusions to be drawn. This review summarises studies that have examined effects of gamete and embryo manipulations on imprinted genes, and discusses the evidence for and against effects of ARTs on offspring health, and in particular imprinting-related conditions.