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Epigenetics and Pregnancy: Conditional Snapshot or Rolling Event

Mariana Andrawus1, Lital Sharvit1, Gil Atzmon1

  • 1Department of Human Biology, University of Haifa, Haifa 3498838, Israel.

International Journal of Molecular Sciences
|October 27, 2022
PubMed

Epigenetics modification such as DNA methylation can affect maternal health during the gestation period. Furthermore, pregnancy can drive a range of physiological and molecular changes that have the potential to contribute to pathological conditions. Pregnancy-related risk factors include multiple environmental, behavioral, and hereditary factors that can impact maternal DNA methylation with long-lasting consequences. Identification of the epigenetic patterns linked to poor pregnancy outcomes is crucial since changes in DNA methylation patterns can have long-term effects. In this review, we provide an overview of the epigenetic changes that influence pregnancy-related molecular programming such as gestational diabetes, immune response, and pre-eclampsia, in an effort to close the gap in current understanding regarding interactions between the environment, the genetics of the fetus, and the pregnant woman.

Keywords:
DNA methylationepigenetics modificationinheritancematernal stresspre-eclampsiapregnancy

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