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Association between imprinting disorders and assisted reproductive technologies.
Masayo Kagami1, Kaori Hara-Isono1,2, Aiko Sasaki3
1Department of Molecular Endocrinology, National Research Institute for Child Health and Development, Tokyo, Japan.
Epigenomics
|March 4, 2025
Summary
Assisted reproductive technologies (ART) may increase the risk of imprinting disorders (IDs) due to potential errors in establishing DNA methylation imprints. This review examines ART
Area of Science:
- Genetics
- Epigenetics
- Reproductive Medicine
Background:
- Imprinting disorders (IDs) arise from aberrant expression of imprinted genes.
- Differentially methylated regions (DMRs) control imprinted gene expression via parental-origin-specific DNA methylation.
- Epimutations (epi-IDs) are a key cause of IDs, stemming from errors in DNA methylation establishment or maintenance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the impact of assisted reproductive technologies (ART) on the epigenetics of imprinting.
- To assess the association between ART, DNA methylation, and the risk of imprinting disorders, particularly epi-IDs.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on ART and its effects on genomic DNA methylation.
- Analysis of studies investigating DMRs in gametes, embryos, and offspring conceived via ART.
- Consideration of confounding factors such as advanced parental age and infertility.
Main Results:
- ART may affect DNA methylation patterns in gametes, embryos, and offspring.
- Potential for ART to disrupt the establishment or maintenance of crucial methylation imprints.
- Infertility and advanced parental age are identified as potential confounding factors influencing ID risk.
Conclusions:
- Concerns exist regarding ART's potential to increase the risk of imprinting disorders, especially epi-IDs.
- Further research is needed to fully understand the epigenetic consequences of ART.
- Careful consideration of ART's impact on imprinting is essential for reproductive health.
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