title: Epigenetics and assisted reproductive technologies.
abstract: Epigenetic modification controls gene activity without changes in the DNA sequence. The genome undergoes several phases of epigenetic programming during gametogenesis and early embryo development, coinciding with assisted reproductive technologies (ART) treatments. Imprinting disorders have been associated with ART techniques, but disentangling the influence of the ART procedures per se from the effect of the reproductive disease of the parents is a challenge. Epidemiological human studies have shown altered birthweight profiles in ART compared with spontaneously conceived singletons. Conception with cryopreserved/thawed embryos results in a higher risk of large-for-gestational-age babies, which may be due to epigenetic modification. Further animal studies have shown altered gene expression profiles in offspring conceived by ART related to altered glucose metabolism. It is controversial whether human adolescents conceived by ART have altered lipid and glucose profiles and thereby a higher long-term risk of cardiovascular disease and diabetes. This commentary describes the basic concepts of epigenetics and gives a short overview of the existing literature on the association between imprinting disorders, epigenetic modification and ART.
authors.affiliation: Fertility Clinic, Department of Obstetrics/Gynecology, Hvidovre Hospital, University of Copenhagen, Hvidovre, Denmark.
authors.forename: Anja
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0002-8340-104X
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pinborg
authors.affiliation: Fertility Clinic, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.
authors.forename: Anne
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0003-2284-8531
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Loft
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health and General Practice, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Trondheim, Norway.|Spiren Fertility Clinic, Trondheim, Norway.
authors.forename: Liv B
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0003-3259-3915
authors.initials: LB
authors.lastname: Romundstad
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Institute for Clinical Sciences, Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden.
authors.forename: Ulla-Britt
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0003-2475-2226
authors.initials: UB
authors.lastname: Wennerholm
authors.affiliation: Fertility Clinic, The Family Federation of Finland, Helsinki, Finland.
authors.forename: Viveca
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0002-3577-0860
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Söderström-Anttila
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Institute for Clinical Sciences, Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden.
authors.forename: Christina
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0001-6049-7731
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bergh
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Genetics, Helsinki University Central Hospital (HUCH), Helsinki, Finland.
authors.forename: Kristiina
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0002-2474-1378
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Aittomäki
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D057890:Epigenomics; D005260:Female; D018392:Genomic Imprinting / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D010641:Phenotype; D011247:Pregnancy; D011297:Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects / Q000235:genetics; D027724:Reproductive Techniques, Assisted
keywords: Infertility; assisted reproduction; delivery; morbidity; physiology of reproduction