title: Conservation of DNA Methylation Programming Between Mouse and Human Gametes and Preimplantation Embryos.
abstract: In mice, assisted reproductive technologies (ARTs) applied during gametogenesis and preimplantation development can result in disruption of genomic imprinting. In humans, these technologies and/or subfertility have been linked to perturbations in genomic imprinting. To understand how ARTs and infertility affect DNA methylation, it is important to understand DNA methylation dynamics and the role of regulatory factors at these critical stages. Recent genome studies performed using mouse and human gametes and preimplantation embryos have shed light onto these processes. Here, we comprehensively review the current state of knowledge regarding global and imprinted DNA methylation programming in the mouse and human. Available data highlight striking similarities in mouse and human DNA methylation dynamics during gamete and preimplantation development. Just as fascinating, these studies have revealed sex-, gene-, and allele-specific differences in DNA methylation programming, warranting future investigation to untangle the complex regulation of DNA methylation dynamics during gamete and preimplantation development.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Western Ontario, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, London, Ontario, Canada Department of Biochemistry, University of Western Ontario, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, London, Ontario, Canada Children's Health Research Institute, London, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: Carlee R
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: White
authors.affiliation: Magee-Womens Research Institute, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
authors.forename: William A
authors.initials: WA
authors.lastname: MacDonald
authors.affiliation: Magee-Womens Research Institute, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania mannmr@mwri.magee.edu.
authors.forename: Mellissa R W
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Mann
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001755:Blastocyst / Q000378:metabolism*; D019175:DNA Methylation; D047108:Embryonic Development / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D018392:Genomic Imprinting; D006801:Humans; D051379:Mice; D027724:Reproductive Techniques, Assisted
keywords: DNA methylation; comparative reproduction; gamete biology; genomic imprinting; preimplantation embryo