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Pandya RK, Jijo A, Cheredath A, Uppangala S, Salian SR, Lakshmi VR, Kumar P, Kalthur G, Gupta S, Adiga SK. Differential sperm histone retention in normozoospermic ejaculates of infertile men negatively affects sperm functional competence and embryo quality. Andrology 2024; 12:881-890. [PMID: 37801310 DOI: 10.1111/andr.13541] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2023] [Revised: 09/16/2023] [Accepted: 09/26/2023] [Indexed: 10/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The unique epigenetic architecture that sperm cells acquire during spermiogenesis by retaining <15% of either canonical or variant histone proteins in their genome is essential for normal embryogenesis. Whilst heterogeneous levels of retained histones are found in morphologically normal spermatozoa, their effect on reproductive outcomes is not fully understood. METHODS Processed spermatozoa (n = 62) were tested for DNA integrity by sperm chromatin dispersion assay, and retained histones were extracted and subjected to dot-blot analysis. The impact of retained histone modifications in normozoospermic patients on sperm functional characteristics, embryo quality, metabolic signature in embryo spent culture medium and pregnancy outcome was studied. RESULTS Dot-blot analysis showed heterogeneous levels of retained histones in the genome of normozoospermic ejaculates. Post-wash sperm yield was affected by an increase in H3K27Me3 and H4K20Me3 levels in the sperm chromatin (p < 0.05). Also, spermatozoa with higher histone H3 retention had increased DNA damage (p < 0.05). Spermatozoa from these cohorts, when injected into donor oocytes, correlated to a significant decrease in the fertilisation rate with an increase in sperm histone H3 (p < 0.05) and H3K27Me3 (p < 0.01). An increase in histone H3 negatively affected embryo quality (p < 0.01) and clinical pregnancy outcome post-embryo transfer (p < 0.05). On the other hand, spent culture medium metabolites assessed by high-resolution (800 MHz) nuclear magnetic resonance showed an increased intensity of the amino acid methionine in the non-pregnant group than in the pregnant group (p < 0.05) and a negative correlation with sperm histone H3 in the pregnant group (p < 0.05). DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION Histone retention in spermatozoa can be one of the factors behind the development of idiopathic male infertility. Such spermatozoa may influence embryonic behaviour and thereby affect the success rate of assisted reproductive technology procedures. These results, although descriptive in nature, warrant further research to address the underlying mechanisms behind these clinically important observations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Riddhi Kirit Pandya
- Centre of Excellence in Clinical Embryology, Department of Reproductive Science, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, India
| | - Ameya Jijo
- Centre of Excellence in Clinical Embryology, Department of Reproductive Science, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, India
| | - Aswathi Cheredath
- Centre of Excellence in Clinical Embryology, Department of Reproductive Science, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, India
| | - Shubhashree Uppangala
- Division of Reproductive Genetics, Department of Reproductive Science, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, India
| | - Sujith Raj Salian
- Centre of Excellence in Clinical Embryology, Department of Reproductive Science, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, India
| | - Vani R Lakshmi
- Department of Data Science, Prasanna School of Public Health, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, India
| | - Pratap Kumar
- Department of Reproductive Medicine and Surgery, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, India
| | - Guruprasad Kalthur
- Division of Reproductive Biology, Department of Reproductive Science, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, India
| | - Sanjay Gupta
- KS313, Epigenetics and Chromatin Biology Group, Gupta Lab, Cancer Research Institute, Advanced Centre for Treatment, Research and Education in Cancer, Tata Memorial Centre, Navi Mumbai, India
| | - Satish Kumar Adiga
- Centre of Excellence in Clinical Embryology, Department of Reproductive Science, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, India
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Zhang S, Luo Q, Meng R, Yan J, Wu Y, Huang H. Long-term health risk of offspring born from assisted reproductive technologies. J Assist Reprod Genet 2024; 41:527-550. [PMID: 38146031 PMCID: PMC10957847 DOI: 10.1007/s10815-023-02988-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2023] [Accepted: 11/02/2023] [Indexed: 12/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Since the world's first in vitro fertilization baby was born in 1978, there have been more than 8 million children conceived through assisted reproductive technologies (ART) worldwide, and a significant proportion of them have reached puberty or young adulthood. Many studies have found that ART increases the risk of adverse perinatal outcomes, including preterm birth, low birth weight, small size for gestational age, perinatal mortality, and congenital anomalies. However, data regarding the long-term outcomes of ART offspring are limited. According to the developmental origins of health and disease theory, adverse environments during early life stages may induce adaptive changes and subsequently result in an increased risk of diseases in later life. Increasing evidence also suggests that ART offspring are predisposed to an increased risk of non-communicable diseases, such as malignancies, asthma, obesity, metabolic syndrome, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and neurodevelopmental and psychiatric disorders. In this review, we summarize the risks for long-term health in ART offspring, discuss the underlying mechanisms, including underlying parental infertility, epigenetic alterations, non-physiological hormone levels, and placental dysfunction, and propose potential strategies to optimize the management of ART and health care of parents and children to eliminate the associated risks. Further ongoing follow-up and research are warranted to determine the effects of ART on the long-term health of ART offspring in later life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siwei Zhang
- Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Institute of Reproduction and Development, Fudan University, No. 419, Fangxie Rd, Shanghai, 200011, China
| | - Qinyu Luo
- Key Laboratory of Reproductive Genetics, Ministry of Education, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Renyu Meng
- Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Institute of Reproduction and Development, Fudan University, No. 419, Fangxie Rd, Shanghai, 200011, China
| | - Jing Yan
- Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Institute of Reproduction and Development, Fudan University, No. 419, Fangxie Rd, Shanghai, 200011, China
| | - Yanting Wu
- Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Institute of Reproduction and Development, Fudan University, No. 419, Fangxie Rd, Shanghai, 200011, China.
- Research Unit of Embryo Original Diseases (No. 2019RU056), Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Shanghai, China.
| | - Hefeng Huang
- Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Institute of Reproduction and Development, Fudan University, No. 419, Fangxie Rd, Shanghai, 200011, China.
- Key Laboratory of Reproductive Genetics, Ministry of Education, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China.
- Research Unit of Embryo Original Diseases (No. 2019RU056), Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Shanghai, China.
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Rhon-Calderon EA, Hemphill CN, Vrooman LA, Rosier CL, Lan Y, Ord T, Coutifaris C, Mainigi M, Schultz RM, Bartolomei MS. Trophectoderm biopsy of blastocysts following IVF and embryo culture increases epigenetic dysregulation in a mouse model. Hum Reprod 2024; 39:154-176. [PMID: 37994669 PMCID: PMC11032714 DOI: 10.1093/humrep/dead238] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2023] [Revised: 10/29/2023] [Indexed: 11/24/2023] Open
Abstract
STUDY QUESTION Does trophectoderm biopsy (TEBx) of blastocysts for preimplantation genetic testing in the clinic affect normal placental and embryo development and offspring metabolic outcomes in a mouse model? SUMMARY ANSWER TEBx impacts placental and embryonic health during early development, with some alterations resolving and others worsening later in development and triggering metabolic changes in adult offspring. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY Previous studies have not assessed the epigenetic and morphological impacts of TEBx either in human populations or in animal models. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION We employed a mouse model to identify the effects of TEBx during IVF. Three groups were assessed: naturally conceived (Naturals), IVF, and IVF + TEBx, at two developmental timepoints: embryonic day (E)12.5 (n = 40/Naturals, n = 36/IVF, and n = 36/IVF + TEBx) and E18.5 (n = 42/Naturals, n = 30/IVF, and n = 35/IVF + TEBx). Additionally, to mimic clinical practice, we assessed a fourth group: IVF + TEBx + Vitrification (Vit) at E12.5 (n = 29) that combines TEBx and vitrification. To assess the effect of TEBx in offspring health, we characterized a 12-week-old cohort (n = 24/Naturals, n = 25/IVF and n = 25/IVF + TEBx). PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS Our mouse model used CF-1 females as egg donors and SJL/B6 males as sperm donors. IVF, TEBx, and vitrification were performed using standardized methods. Placenta morphology was evaluated by hematoxylin-eosin staining, in situ hybridization using Tpbpa as a junctional zone marker and immunohistochemistry using CD34 fetal endothelial cell markers. For molecular analysis of placentas and embryos, DNA methylation was analyzed using pyrosequencing, luminometric methylation assay, and chip array technology. Expression patterns were ascertained by RNA sequencing. Triglycerides, total cholesterol, high-, low-, and very low-density lipoprotein, insulin, and glucose were determined in the 12-week-old cohort using commercially available kits. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE We observed that at E12.5, IVF + TEBx had a worse outcome in terms of changes in DNA methylation and differential gene expression in placentas and whole embryos compared with IVF alone and compared with Naturals. These changes were reflected in alterations in placental morphology and blood vessel density. At E18.5, early molecular changes in fetuses were maintained or exacerbated. With respect to placentas, the molecular and morphological changes, although different compared to Naturals, were equivalent to the IVF group, except for changes in blood vessel density, which persisted. Of note is that most differences were sex specific. We conclude that TEBx has more detrimental effects in mid-gestation placental and embryonic tissues, with alterations in embryonic tissues persisting or worsening in later developmental stages compared to IVF alone, and the addition of vitrification after TEBx results in more pronounced and potentially detrimental epigenetic effects: these changes are significantly different compared to Naturals. Finally, we observed that 12-week IVF + TEBx offspring, regardless of sex, showed higher glucose, insulin, triglycerides, lower total cholesterol, and lower high-density lipoprotein compared to IVF and Naturals, with only males having higher body weight compared to IVF and Naturals. Our findings in a mouse model additionally support the need for more studies to assess the impact of new procedures in ART to ensure healthy pregnancies and offspring outcomes. LARGE SCALE DATA Data reported in this work have been deposited in the NCBI Gene Expression Omnibus under accession number GSE225318. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION This study was performed using a mouse model that mimics many clinical IVF procedures and outcomes observed in humans, where studies on early embryos are not possible. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS This study highlights the importance of assaying new procedures used in ART to assess their impact on placenta and embryo development, and offspring metabolic outcomes. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S) This work was funded by a National Centers for Translational Research in Reproduction and Infertility grant P50 HD068157-06A1 (M.S.B., C.C., M.M.), Ruth L. Kirschstein National Service Award Individual Postdoctoral Fellowship F32 HD107914 (E.A.R.-C.) and F32 HD089623 (L.A.V.), and National Institutes of Health Training program in Cell and Molecular Biology T32 GM007229 (C.N.H.). No conflict of interest.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric A Rhon-Calderon
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Epigenetics Institute, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Cassidy N Hemphill
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Epigenetics Institute, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Lisa A Vrooman
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Epigenetics Institute, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Casey L Rosier
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Epigenetics Institute, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Yemin Lan
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Epigenetics Institute, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Teri Ord
- Center for Research on Reproduction and Women’s Health, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Christos Coutifaris
- Center for Research on Reproduction and Women’s Health, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Monica Mainigi
- Center for Research on Reproduction and Women’s Health, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Richard M Schultz
- Department of Biology, School of Arts and Sciences, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology, and Cell Biology, School of Veterinary Medicine, UC Davis, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Marisa S Bartolomei
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Epigenetics Institute, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Center for Research on Reproduction and Women’s Health, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
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Zhan J, Chen C, Zhang N, Zhong S, Wang J, Hu J, Liu J. An artificial intelligence model for embryo selection in preimplantation DNA methylation screening in assisted reproductive technology. BIOPHYSICS REPORTS 2023; 9:352-361. [PMID: 38524697 PMCID: PMC10960573 DOI: 10.52601/bpr.2023.230035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2023] [Accepted: 11/28/2023] [Indexed: 03/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Embryo quality is a critical determinant of clinical outcomes in assisted reproductive technology (ART). A recent clinical trial investigating preimplantation DNA methylation screening (PIMS) revealed that whole genome DNA methylation level is a novel biomarker for assessing ART embryo quality. Here, we reinforced and estimated the clinical efficacy of PIMS. We introduce PIMS-AI, an innovative artificial intelligence (AI) based model, to predict the probability of an embryo producing live birth and subsequently assist ART embryo selection. Our model demonstrated robust performance, achieving an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.90 in cross-validation and 0.80 in independent testing. In simulated embryo selection, PIMS-AI attained an accuracy of 81% in identifying viable embryos for patients. Notably, PIMS-AI offers significant advantages over conventional preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy (PGT-A), including enhanced embryo discriminability and the potential to benefit a broader patient population. In conclusion, our approach holds substantial promise for clinical application and has the potential to significantly improve the ART success rate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianhong Zhan
- Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Science, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Chuangqi Chen
- Guangdong Women's and Children's Hospital, Guangzhou 511400, China
| | - Na Zhang
- Beijing Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital, Beijing 100026, China
| | | | - Jiaming Wang
- Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Science, Beijing 100101, China
- University of the Chinese Academy of Science, Beijing 101408, China
- School of Future Technology, University of the Chinese Academy of Science, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Jinzhou Hu
- Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Science, Beijing 100101, China
- University of the Chinese Academy of Science, Beijing 101408, China
| | - Jiang Liu
- Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Science, Beijing 100101, China
- University of the Chinese Academy of Science, Beijing 101408, China
- School of Future Technology, University of the Chinese Academy of Science, Beijing 100049, China
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5
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Carrion SA, Michal JJ, Jiang Z. Imprinted Genes: Genomic Conservation, Transcriptomic Dynamics and Phenomic Significance in Health and Diseases. Int J Biol Sci 2023; 19:3128-3142. [PMID: 37416777 PMCID: PMC10321285 DOI: 10.7150/ijbs.83712] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2023] [Accepted: 05/25/2023] [Indexed: 07/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Since its discovery in 1991, genomic imprinting has been the subject of numerous studies into its mechanisms of establishment and regulation, evolution and function, and presence in multiple genomes. Disturbance of imprinting has been implicated in a range of diseases, ranging from debilitating syndromes to cancers to fetal deficiencies. Despite this, studies done on the prevalence and relevance of imprinting on genes have been limited in scope, tissue types available, and focus, by both availability and resources. This has left a gap in comparative studies. To address this, we assembled a collection of imprinted genes available in current literature covering five species. Here we sought to identify trends and motifs in the imprinted gene set (IGS) in three distinct arenas: evolutionary conservation, across-tissue expression, and health phenomics. Overall, we found that imprinted genes displayed less conservation and higher proportions of non-coding RNA while maintaining synteny. Maternally expressed genes (MEGs) and paternally expressed genes (PEGs) occupied distinct roles in tissue expression and biological pathway use, while imprinted genes collectively showed a broader tissue range, notable preference for tissue specific expression and limited gene pathways than comparable sex differentiation genes. Both human and murine imprinted genes showed the same clear phenotypic trends, that were distinct from those displayed by sex differentiation genes which were less involved in mental and nervous system disease. While both sets had representation across the genome, the IGS showed clearer clustering as expected, with PEGs significantly more represented than MEGs.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Zhihua Jiang
- ✉ Corresponding author: Dr. Zhihua Jiang (ORCID ID: 0000-0003-1986-088X), Professor of Genome Biology. Phone: 509-335 8761;
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6
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Rahimi S, Shao X, Chan D, Martel J, Bérard A, Fraser WD, Simon MM, Kwan T, Bourque G, Trasler J. Capturing sex-specific and hypofertility-linked effects of assisted reproductive technologies on the cord blood DNA methylome. Clin Epigenetics 2023; 15:82. [PMID: 37170172 PMCID: PMC10176895 DOI: 10.1186/s13148-023-01497-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2022] [Accepted: 05/02/2023] [Indexed: 05/13/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Children conceived through assisted reproduction are at an increased risk for growth and genomic imprinting disorders, often linked to DNA methylation defects. It has been suggested that assisted reproductive technology (ART) and underlying parental infertility can induce epigenetic instability, specifically interfering with DNA methylation reprogramming events during germ cell and preimplantation development. To date, human studies exploring the association between ART and DNA methylation defects have reported inconsistent or inconclusive results, likely due to population heterogeneity and the use of technologies with limited coverage of the epigenome. In our study, we explored the epigenetic risk of ART by comprehensively profiling the DNA methylome of 73 human cord blood samples of singleton pregnancies (n = 36 control group, n = 37 ART/hypofertile group) from a human prospective longitudinal birth cohort, the 3D (Design, Develop, Discover) Study, using a high-resolution sequencing-based custom capture panel that examines over 2.4 million autosomal CpGs in the genome. RESULTS We identified evidence of sex-specific effects of ART/hypofertility on cord blood DNA methylation patterns. Our genome-wide analyses identified ~ 46% more CpGs affected by ART/hypofertility in female than in male infant cord blood. We performed a detailed analysis of three imprinted genes which have been associated with altered DNA methylation following ART (KCNQ1OT1, H19/IGF2 and GNAS) and found that female infant cord blood was associated with DNA hypomethylation. When compared to less invasive procedures such as intrauterine insemination, more invasive ARTs (in vitro fertilization, intracytoplasmic sperm injection, embryo culture) resulted in more marked and distinct effects on the cord blood DNA methylome. In the in vitro group, we found a close to fourfold higher proportion of significantly enriched Gene Ontology terms involved in development than in the in vivo group. CONCLUSIONS Our study highlights the ability of a sensitive, targeted, sequencing-based approach to uncover DNA methylation perturbations in cord blood associated with hypofertility and ART and influenced by offspring sex and ART technique invasiveness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sophia Rahimi
- Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Xiaojian Shao
- Digital Technologies Research Centre, National Research Council Canada, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Donovan Chan
- Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Josée Martel
- Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Anick Bérard
- Research Unit On Medications and Pregnancy, Research Centre, CHU Sainte-Justine, Montreal, Canada
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Faculty of Medicine, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Lyon, France
| | - William D Fraser
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Université de Sherbrooke and Centre de Recherche du CHUS, Sherbrooke, QC, Canada
| | | | - Tony Kwan
- McGill University Genome Centre, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Department of Human Genetics, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Guillaume Bourque
- McGill University Genome Centre, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Department of Human Genetics, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Jacquetta Trasler
- Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC, Canada.
- Department of Human Genetics, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada.
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada.
- Department of Pediatrics, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada.
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Breton-Larrivée M, Elder E, Legault LM, Langford-Avelar A, MacFarlane AJ, McGraw S. Mitigating the detrimental developmental impact of early fetal alcohol exposure using a maternal methyl donor-enriched diet. FASEB J 2023; 37:e22829. [PMID: 36856720 DOI: 10.1096/fj.202201564r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2022] [Revised: 01/23/2023] [Accepted: 02/03/2023] [Indexed: 03/02/2023]
Abstract
Fetal alcohol exposure at any stage of pregnancy can lead to fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD), a group of life-long conditions characterized by congenital malformations, as well as cognitive, behavioral, and emotional impairments. The teratogenic effects of alcohol have long been publicized; yet fetal alcohol exposure is one of the most common preventable causes of birth defects. Currently, alcohol abstinence during pregnancy is the best and only way to prevent FASD. However, alcohol consumption remains astoundingly prevalent among pregnant women; therefore, additional measures need to be made available to help protect the developing embryo before irreparable damage is done. Maternal nutritional interventions using methyl donors have been investigated as potential preventative measures to mitigate the adverse effects of fetal alcohol exposure. Here, we show that a single acute preimplantation (E2.5; 8-cell stage) fetal alcohol exposure (2 × 2.5 g/kg ethanol with a 2h interval) in mice leads to long-term FASD-like morphological phenotypes (e.g. growth restriction, brain malformations, skeletal delays) in late-gestation embryos (E18.5) and demonstrate that supplementing the maternal diet with a combination of four methyl donor nutrients, folic acid, choline, betaine, and vitamin B12, prior to conception and throughout gestation effectively reduces the incidence and severity of alcohol-induced morphological defects without altering DNA methylation status of imprinting control regions and regulation of associated imprinted genes. This study clearly supports that preimplantation embryos are vulnerable to the teratogenic effects of alcohol, emphasizes the dangers of maternal alcohol consumption during early gestation, and provides a potential proactive maternal nutritional intervention to minimize FASD progression, reinforcing the importance of adequate preconception and prenatal nutrition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mélanie Breton-Larrivée
- Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Sainte-Justine Research Center, Montreal, Canada.,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montreal, Canada
| | - Elizabeth Elder
- Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Sainte-Justine Research Center, Montreal, Canada.,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montreal, Canada
| | - Lisa-Marie Legault
- Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Sainte-Justine Research Center, Montreal, Canada.,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montreal, Canada
| | - Alexandra Langford-Avelar
- Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Sainte-Justine Research Center, Montreal, Canada.,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montreal, Canada
| | - Amanda J MacFarlane
- Agriculture, Food, and Nutrition Evidence Center, Texas A&M University, Texas, Fort Worth, USA.,Department of Nutrition, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, USA
| | - Serge McGraw
- Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Sainte-Justine Research Center, Montreal, Canada.,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montreal, Canada.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Université de Montréal, Montreal, Canada
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8
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Salehpour S, Hosseini S, Razghandi Z, Hosseinirad H, Ziaee H. Comparing the effect of sequential embryo transfer versus double blastocyst embryo transfer on pregnancy outcomes in intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) cycles in patients with repeated implantation failure: A randomized controlled trial. Taiwan J Obstet Gynecol 2023; 62:264-269. [PMID: 36965893 DOI: 10.1016/j.tjog.2022.10.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/25/2022] [Indexed: 03/27/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Recurrent implantation failure (RIF) is the main challenge in assisted reproductive technology (ART) practice. Sequential embryo transfer, in which both, cleavage-stage embryo on day 3 and blastocyst on day 5, are sequentially transferred in the same cycle, has been suggested for increasing embryo implantation in RIF patients. The aim of the present study was to compare the effect of sequential embryo transfer versus double blastocyst embryo transfer on pregnancy outcomes in intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI)/frozen embryo transfer (FET) cycles in RIF patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS This prospective study was enrolled 224 RIF patients undergoing ICSI/FET cycles and randomly divided to sequential and control groups. In sequential group, embryo transfer was conducted on day 3 (cleavage stage) and day 5 (blastocyst stage). In control group, two top-quality blastocysts were transferred on day 5. RESULTS Two hundred and two couples accomplished the trial, and their data were analyzed. Results demonstrated that sequential embryo transfer on day 3 and day 5 compared to double blastocyst transfer on day 5 significantly increased implantation rate, clinical pregnancy rate and ongoing pregnancy rate in RIF patients (p-value = 0.0142, p-value = 0.0154, p-value = 0.0201, respectively). However, there were no significant differences in terms of chemical pregnancy rate, multiple pregnancy rate, miscarriage rate and ectopic pregnancy rate in the studied groups. CONCLUSION Sequential embryo transfer is associated with improved pregnancy outcomes in RIF patients. Further prospective studies with larger sample sizes are required to validate these results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saghar Salehpour
- Preventative Gynecology Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Sedighe Hosseini
- Preventative Gynecology Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Zahra Razghandi
- Preventative Gynecology Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Hossein Hosseinirad
- Student Research Committee, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Hasti Ziaee
- School of Medicine, University of Central Lancashire, Preston, England, UK
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9
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Odroniec A, Olszewska M, Kurpisz M. Epigenetic markers in the embryonal germ cell development and spermatogenesis. Basic Clin Androl 2023; 33:6. [PMID: 36814207 PMCID: PMC9948345 DOI: 10.1186/s12610-022-00179-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2022] [Accepted: 11/25/2022] [Indexed: 02/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Spermatogenesis is the process of generation of male reproductive cells from spermatogonial stem cells in the seminiferous epithelium of the testis. During spermatogenesis, key spermatogenic events such as stem cell self-renewal and commitment to meiosis, meiotic recombination, meiotic sex chromosome inactivation, followed by cellular and chromatin remodeling of elongating spermatids occur, leading to sperm cell production. All the mentioned events are at least partially controlled by the epigenetic modifications of DNA and histones. Additionally, during embryonal development in primordial germ cells, global epigenetic reprogramming of DNA occurs. In this review, we summarized the most important epigenetic modifications in the particular stages of germ cell development, in DNA and histone proteins, starting from primordial germ cells, during embryonal development, and ending with histone-to-protamine transition during spermiogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amadeusz Odroniec
- grid.413454.30000 0001 1958 0162Institute of Human Genetics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Strzeszynska 32, 60–479 Poznan, Poland
| | - Marta Olszewska
- Institute of Human Genetics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Strzeszynska 32, 60-479, Poznan, Poland.
| | - Maciej Kurpisz
- grid.413454.30000 0001 1958 0162Institute of Human Genetics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Strzeszynska 32, 60–479 Poznan, Poland
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Sciorio R, Tramontano L, Rapalini E, Bellaminutti S, Bulletti FM, D'Amato A, Manna C, Palagiano A, Bulletti C, Esteves SC. Risk of genetic and epigenetic alteration in children conceived following ART: Is it time to return to nature whenever possible? Clin Genet 2023; 103:133-145. [PMID: 36109352 DOI: 10.1111/cge.14232] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2022] [Revised: 09/12/2022] [Accepted: 09/13/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Assisted reproductive technology may influence epigenetic signature as the procedures coincide with the extensive epigenetic modification occurring from fertilization to embryo implantation. However, it is still unclear to what extent ART alters the embryo epigenome. In vivo fertilization occurs in the fallopian tube, where a specific and natural environment enables the embryo's healthy development. During this dynamic period, major waves of epigenetic reprogramming, crucial for the normal fate of the embryo, take place. Over the past decade, concerns relating to the raised incidence of epigenetic anomalies and imprinting following ART have been raised by several authors. Epigenetic reprogramming is particularly susceptible to environmental conditions during the periconceptional period; therefore, unphysiological conditions, including ovarian stimulation, in vitro fertilization, embryo culture, cryopreservation of gametes and embryos, parental lifestyle, and underlying infertility, have the potential to contribute to epigenetic dysregulation independently or collectively. This review critically appraises the evidence relating to the association between ART and genetic and epigenetic modifications that may be transmitted to the offspring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Romualdo Sciorio
- Edinburgh Assisted Conception Programme, EFREC, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Luca Tramontano
- Department of Women, Infants and Adolescents, Division of Obstetrics, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Erika Rapalini
- IVF Department, Versilia Hospital Lido di Camaiore, Lucca, Italy
| | - Serena Bellaminutti
- Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Ospedale Regionale di Lugano, Lugano, Switzerland
- Gynecology and Fertility Unit, Procrea Institute, Lugano, Switzerland
- Gynecology Unit, Centro Medico, Lugano, Switzerland
| | | | - Antonio D'Amato
- Obstetrics and Gynaecology Clinic, University of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - Claudio Manna
- Biofertility IVF and Infertility Center, Rome, Italy
| | - Antonio Palagiano
- CFA Napoli, Italy, CFA: Centro Fecondazione Assistita Napoli, Naples, Italy
| | - Carlo Bulletti
- Ostetricia e Ginecologia, EXTRA OMNES Medicina e Salute Riproduttiva, Cattolica, Italy
| | - Sandro C Esteves
- Andrology and Human Reproduction Clinic, Campinas, Brazil
- Department of Surgery (Division of Urology), University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, Brazil
- Faculty of Health, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
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11
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Ihirwe RG, Martel J, Rahimi S, Trasler J. Protective and sex-specific effects of moderate dose folic acid supplementation on the placenta following assisted reproduction in mice. FASEB J 2023; 37:e22677. [PMID: 36515682 PMCID: PMC10108070 DOI: 10.1096/fj.202201428r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2022] [Revised: 11/02/2022] [Accepted: 11/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Epigenetic defects induced by assisted reproductive technologies (ART) have been suggested as a potential mechanism contributing to suboptimal placentation. Here, we hypothesize that ART perturbs DNA methylation (DNAme) and gene expression during early placenta development, leading to abnormal placental phenotypes observed at term. Since folic acid (FA) plays a crucial role in epigenetic regulation, we propose that FA supplementation can rescue ART-induced placental defects. Female mice were placed on a control diet (CD), a moderate 4-fold (FAS4) or high dose 10-fold (FAS10) FA-supplemented diet prior to ART and compared to a natural mating group. ART resulted in 41 and 28 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in E10.5 female and male placentas, respectively. Many DEGs were implicated in early placenta development and associated with DNAme changes; a number clustered at known imprinting control regions (ICR). In females, FAS4 partially corrected alterations in gene expression while FAS10 showed evidence of male-biased adverse effects. DNAme and gene expression for five genes involved in early placentation (Phlda2, EphB2, Igf2, Peg3, L3mbtl1) were followed up in placentas from normal as well as delayed and abnormal embryos. Phlda2 and Igf2 expression levels were lowest after ART in placentas of female delayed embryos. Moreover, ART concomitantly reduced DNAme at the Kcnq1ot1 ICR which regulates Phlda2 expression; FAS4 partially improved DNAme in a sex-specific manner. In conclusion, ART-associated placental DNAme and transcriptome alterations observed at mid-gestation are sex-specific; they may help explain adverse placental phenotypes detected at term and are partially corrected by maternal moderate dose FA supplementation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rita Gloria Ihirwe
- Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.,Department of Pharmacology & Therapeutics, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Josée Martel
- Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Sophia Rahimi
- Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Jacquetta Trasler
- Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.,Department of Pharmacology & Therapeutics, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.,Department of Pediatrics, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.,Department of Human Genetics, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
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12
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Siristatidis C, Papapanou M, Karageorgiou V, Martins WP, Bellos I, Teixeira DM, Vlahos N. Congenital anomaly and perinatal outcome following blastocyst- vs cleavage-stage embryo transfer: systematic review and network meta-analysis. ULTRASOUND IN OBSTETRICS & GYNECOLOGY : THE OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY OF ULTRASOUND IN OBSTETRICS AND GYNECOLOGY 2023; 61:12-25. [PMID: 35751886 PMCID: PMC10107888 DOI: 10.1002/uog.26019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2022] [Revised: 05/22/2022] [Accepted: 06/10/2022] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To compare the reported rate of any congenital anomaly and perinatal outcome of pregnancy following blastocyst- vs cleavage-stage embryo transfer using a pairwise meta-analysis and to evaluate the same outcomes following fresh-blastocyst, frozen-blastocyst, fresh-cleavage or frozen-cleavage embryo transfer using a network meta-analysis. METHODS A literature search was performed in PubMed, Scopus and CENTRAL and registers for ongoing studies, from inception to February 2022, for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) with any sample size and observational studies including at least 100 live births per group, comparing the rates of any congenital anomaly and perinatal outcome of pregnancy following fresh/frozen embryo transfer at cleavage (day 2-3) vs blastocyst (day 5-7) stage. Risk ratios (RRs) along with their 95% CIs were pooled via a random-effects model meta-analysis. Within a frequentist network meta-analysis framework, outcomes of all four treatment modalities (i.e. fresh-blastocyst, fresh-cleavage, frozen-blastocyst, frozen-cleavage) were compared further. Any congenital anomaly constituted the primary outcome, whereas preterm delivery (delivery < 37 weeks), low birth weight (LBW; < 2500 g), gender of the neonate (male), perinatal death and healthy neonate (defined as liveborn neonate, delivered at term, weighing ≥ 2500 g, surviving for at least 28 days postbirth and without any congenital anomaly) were considered as secondary outcomes. Subgroup analyses by plurality (liveborn singleton vs multiple pregnancy) were conducted in the pairwise and network meta-analyses. The risk of bias was assessed using the RoB2 tool for RCTs and the ROBINS-I tool for non-randomized studies. Certainty of evidence was assessed using GRADE. RESULTS Through the literature search, 550 studies were retrieved and 33 were included in the systematic review. We found no significant difference in the risk for any congenital anomaly between blastocyst- and cleavage-stage transfer (RR, 0.80 (95% CI, 0.63-1.03); 10 studies; n = 192 442; I2 = 85.5%). An increased probability of a male neonate was observed following blastocyst- vs cleavage-stage transfer (RR, 1.07 (95% CI, 1.06-1.09); 18 studies; n = 227 530; I2 = 32.7%). No significant differences in other secondary outcomes or significant subgroup differences between liveborn singletons and multiple pregnancies were observed. The network meta-analysis showed a significantly lower risk for LBW following frozen-blastocyst vs fresh-blastocyst (RR, 0.76 (95% CI, 0.60-0.95)) or fresh-cleavage (RR, 0.74 (95% CI, 0.59-0.93)) transfer. Frozen-blastocyst transfer was associated with an increased risk for perinatal death compared with the fresh-cleavage method (RR, 2.06 (95% CI, 1.10-3.88)). The higher probability of a male neonate following blastocyst transfer remained evident in the network comparisons. All outcomes were assessed to be of very-low certainty of evidence. CONCLUSIONS Current very-low certainty of evidence shows that there may be little-to-no difference in the risk for congenital anomaly or adverse perinatal outcome of pregnancy following blastocyst- vs cleavage-stage embryo transfer, although there was a slightly increased probability of a male neonate following blastocyst transfer. When considering cryopreservation, frozen-blastocyst transfer was associated with a reduction in the risk for LBW compared with both fresh-transfer modalities, and fresh-cleavage transfer may be associated with a reduction in the risk for perinatal death compared with frozen-blastocyst transfer. High-quality RCTs with separate data on fresh and frozen cycles and consistent reporting of culture conditions and freezing methods are mandatory. Individual participant data meta-analyses are required to address the substantial inconsistency resulting from current aggregate data approaches. © 2022 The Authors. Ultrasound in Obstetrics & Gynecology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology.
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Affiliation(s)
- C. Siristatidis
- Assisted Reproduction Unit, Second Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical SchoolNational and Kapodistrian University of Athens, “Aretaieion” University HospitalAthensGreece
| | - M. Papapanou
- Assisted Reproduction Unit, Second Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical SchoolNational and Kapodistrian University of Athens, “Aretaieion” University HospitalAthensGreece
- Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Medicine Working Group, Society of Junior DoctorsAthensGreece
| | | | - W. P. Martins
- SEMEAR fertilidade, Reproductive MedicineRibeirão PretoBrazil
| | - I. Bellos
- Sotiria General HospitalNational and Kapodistrian University of AthensAthensGreece
| | - D. M. Teixeira
- SEMEAR fertilidade, Reproductive MedicineRibeirão PretoBrazil
| | - N. Vlahos
- Assisted Reproduction Unit, Second Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical SchoolNational and Kapodistrian University of Athens, “Aretaieion” University HospitalAthensGreece
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Lopes JS, Ivanova E, Ruiz S, Andrews S, Kelsey G, Coy P. Effect of Superovulation Treatment on Oocyte's DNA Methylation. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:16158. [PMID: 36555801 PMCID: PMC9785075 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232416158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2022] [Revised: 12/09/2022] [Accepted: 12/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Controlled ovarian stimulation is a necessary step in some assisted reproductive procedures allowing a higher collection of female gametes. However, consequences of this stimulation for the gamete or the offspring have been shown in several mammals. Most studies used comparisons between oocytes from different donors, which may contribute to different responses. In this work, we use the bovine model in which each animal serves as its own control. DNA methylation profiles were obtained by single-cell whole-genome bisulfite sequencing of oocytes from pre-ovulatory unstimulated follicles compared to oocytes from stimulated follicles. Results show that the global percentage of methylation was similar between groups, but the percentage of methylation was lower for non-stimulated oocytes in the imprinted genes APEG3, MEG3, and MEG9 and higher in TSSC4 when compared to stimulated oocytes. Differences were also found in CGI of imprinted genes: higher methylation was found among non-stimulated oocytes in MEST (PEG1), IGF2R, GNAS (SCG6), KvDMR1 ICR UMD, and IGF2. In another region around IGF2, the methylation percentage was lower for non-stimulated oocytes when compared to stimulated oocytes. Data drawn from this study might help to understand the molecular reasons for the appearance of certain syndromes in assisted reproductive technologies-derived offspring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jordana S. Lopes
- Physiology of Reproduction Group, Department of Physiology, Faculty of Veterinary, University of Murcia, 30100 Murcia, Spain
- Institute for Biomedical Research of Murcia, IMIB-Arrixaca, 30100 Murcia, Spain
| | - Elena Ivanova
- Epigenetics Programme, The Babraham Institute, Cambridge CB22 3AT, UK
| | - Salvador Ruiz
- Physiology of Reproduction Group, Department of Physiology, Faculty of Veterinary, University of Murcia, 30100 Murcia, Spain
- Institute for Biomedical Research of Murcia, IMIB-Arrixaca, 30100 Murcia, Spain
| | - Simon Andrews
- Bioinformatics Group, The Babraham Institute, Cambridge CB22 3AT, UK
| | - Gavin Kelsey
- Epigenetics Programme, The Babraham Institute, Cambridge CB22 3AT, UK
- Centre for Trophoblast Research, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 3EG, UK
| | - Pilar Coy
- Physiology of Reproduction Group, Department of Physiology, Faculty of Veterinary, University of Murcia, 30100 Murcia, Spain
- Institute for Biomedical Research of Murcia, IMIB-Arrixaca, 30100 Murcia, Spain
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Zhu Y, Zhou Y, Liu S, Guo F, Wu B, Xu X, Luo C, Li H, Hua R. Blastocyst culture of non-top-quality cleavage embryos may increase the risk of anembryonic pregnancy following in vitro fertilization: a retrospective cohort study. ANNALS OF TRANSLATIONAL MEDICINE 2022; 10:1364. [PMID: 36660687 PMCID: PMC9843398 DOI: 10.21037/atm-22-5809] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2022] [Accepted: 12/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Background Anembryonic pregnancy (AP) is the most severe dysmorphogenesis of human embryo development and a frequent presentation of early pregnancy loss (EPL). Studies have analyzed the association between assisted reproductive technologies (ART) and EPL. However, the specific relationship between ART and AP has not been fully elucidated. Several studies suggested that non-genomic anomalies might be related to AP and ART might increase the risk of epigenetic changes, thus possibly detecting some associations between ART and AP. Our study aims to find out any possible risk factors of AP in ART treatments, and translate the results into clinical practice. Methods A retrospective cohort study was conducted in Nanfang Hospital. Data from 1,765 singleton pregnancies following fresh or frozen-thawed embryo transfer from January 2014 to December 2017 were collated with the inclusion of EPLs and normal live births (NLB). Participants were divided into three groups: NLB (full-term birth with normal body weight infants), EPL (spontaneous pregnancy loss prior to 13 weeks gestation) with embryos (EE), and APs (embryonic pole was invisible in two consecutive ultrasound examinations). The basic characteristics of the patients and the association between ART-related variables and AP were analyzed using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and multivariable logistic regression model, respectively. Products of conception (POC) from AP and EE patients received karyotype analysis using multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA). Results Blastocyst culture of non-top-quality cleavage stage embryos almost doubled the percentage of AP in EPL (45.9% vs. 24.4%, P=0.037), and the normal euploid rate was significantly higher in the AP group (50.5% vs. 32.3%, P=0.003). Using multivariable logistic regression model, we found that blastocyst transfer and advanced maternal age might be risk factors for AP (OR >1, P<0.05). Deceased β-HCG level might indicate its occurrence (OR <1, P<0.001) while CoQ10 supplementation might be a protective factor (OR <1, P<0.001). Conclusions The occurrence of AP may be due to epigenetic abnormalities associated with advanced maternal age and extended in vitro embryo culture, while CoQ10 supplementation may be a potential method in preventing AP. Future multi-center prospective cohort studies should be conducted to verify these results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yongtong Zhu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yao Zhou
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Siping Liu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Feiyan Guo
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Biao Wu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiya Xu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Chen Luo
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Hong Li
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Rui Hua
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
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15
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DNA Methylation in Offspring Conceived after Assisted Reproductive Techniques: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. J Clin Med 2022; 11:jcm11175056. [PMID: 36078985 PMCID: PMC9457481 DOI: 10.3390/jcm11175056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2022] [Revised: 08/09/2022] [Accepted: 08/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: In the last 40 years, assisted reproductive techniques (ARTs) have emerged as potentially resolving procedures for couple infertility. This study aims to evaluate whether ART is associated with epigenetic dysregulation in the offspring. Methods. To accomplish this, we collected all available data on methylation patterns in offspring conceived after ART and in spontaneously conceived (SC) offspring. Results. We extracted 949 records. Of these, 50 were considered eligible; 12 were included in the quantitative synthesis. Methylation levels of H19 CCCTC-binding factor 3 (CTCF3) were significantly lower in the ART group compared to controls (SMD −0.81 (−1.53; −0.09), I2 = 89%, p = 0.03). In contrast, H19 CCCTC-binding factor 6 (CTCF6), Potassium Voltage-Gated Channel Subfamily Q Member 1 (KCNQ1OT1), Paternally-expressed gene 3 (PEG3), and Small Nuclear Ribonucleoprotein Polypeptide N (SNRPN) were not differently methylated in ART vs. SC offspring. Conclusion: The methylation pattern of the offspring conceived after ART may be different compared to spontaneous conception. Due to the lack of studies and the heterogeneity of the data, further prospective and well-sized population studies are needed to evaluate the impact of ART on the epigenome of the offspring.
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16
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Olszewska M, Kordyl O, Kamieniczna M, Fraczek M, Jędrzejczak P, Kurpisz M. Global 5mC and 5hmC DNA Levels in Human Sperm Subpopulations with Differentially Protaminated Chromatin in Normo- and Oligoasthenozoospermic Males. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23094516. [PMID: 35562907 PMCID: PMC9099774 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23094516] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2022] [Revised: 04/14/2022] [Accepted: 04/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Epigenetic modifications play a special role in the male infertility aetiology. Published data indicate the link between sperm quality and sperm chromatin protamination. This study aimed to determine the relationship between methylation (5mC) and hydroxymethylation (5hmC) in sperm DNA, with respect to sperm chromatin protamination in three subpopulations of fertile normozoospermic controls and infertile patients with oligo-/oligoasthenozoospermia. For the first time, a sequential staining protocol was applied, which allowed researchers to analyse 5mC/5hmC levels by immunofluorescence staining, with a previously determined chromatin protamination status (aniline blue staining), using the same spermatozoa. TUNEL assay determined the sperm DNA fragmentation level. The 5mC/5hmC levels were diversified with respect to chromatin protamination status in both studied groups of males, with the highest values observed in protaminated spermatozoa. The linkage between chromatin protamination and 5mC/5hmC levels in control males disappeared in patients with deteriorated semen parameters. A relationship between 5mC/5hmC and sperm motility/morphology was identified in the patient group. Measuring the 5mC/5hmC status of sperm DNA according to sperm chromatin integrity provides evidence of correct spermatogenesis, and its disruption may represent a prognostic marker for reproductive failure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Olszewska
- Institute of Human Genetics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Strzeszynska 32, 60-479 Poznan, Poland; (M.K.); (M.F.)
- Correspondence: (M.O.); (M.K.)
| | - Oliwia Kordyl
- Faculty of Biology, Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznan, 61-614 Poznan, Poland;
| | - Marzena Kamieniczna
- Institute of Human Genetics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Strzeszynska 32, 60-479 Poznan, Poland; (M.K.); (M.F.)
| | - Monika Fraczek
- Institute of Human Genetics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Strzeszynska 32, 60-479 Poznan, Poland; (M.K.); (M.F.)
| | - Piotr Jędrzejczak
- Division of Infertility and Reproductive Endocrinology, Department of Gynecology, Obstetrics and Gynecological Oncology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 60-535 Poznan, Poland;
| | - Maciej Kurpisz
- Institute of Human Genetics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Strzeszynska 32, 60-479 Poznan, Poland; (M.K.); (M.F.)
- Correspondence: (M.O.); (M.K.)
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Sciorio R, El Hajj N. Epigenetic Risks of Medically Assisted Reproduction. J Clin Med 2022; 11:jcm11082151. [PMID: 35456243 PMCID: PMC9027760 DOI: 10.3390/jcm11082151] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2022] [Revised: 04/05/2022] [Accepted: 04/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Since the birth of Louise Joy Brown, the first baby conceived via in vitro fertilization, more than 9 million children have been born worldwide using assisted reproductive technologies (ART). In vivo fertilization takes place in the maternal oviduct, where the unique physiological conditions guarantee the healthy development of the embryo. During early embryogenesis, a major wave of epigenetic reprogramming takes place that is crucial for the correct development of the embryo. Epigenetic reprogramming is susceptible to environmental changes and non-physiological conditions such as those applied during in vitro culture, including shift in pH and temperature, oxygen tension, controlled ovarian stimulation, intracytoplasmic sperm injection, as well as preimplantation embryo manipulations for genetic testing. In the last decade, concerns were raised of a possible link between ART and increased incidence of imprinting disorders, as well as epigenetic alterations in the germ cells of infertile parents that are transmitted to the offspring following ART. The aim of this review was to present evidence from the literature regarding epigenetic errors linked to assisted reproduction treatments and their consequences on the conceived children. Furthermore, we provide an overview of disease risk associated with epigenetic or imprinting alterations in children born via ART.
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Affiliation(s)
- Romualdo Sciorio
- Edinburgh Assisted Conception Programme, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4SA, UK
- Correspondence:
| | - Nady El Hajj
- College of Health and Life Sciences, Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Doha P.O. Box 34110, Qatar;
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18
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Sciorio R, Esteves SC. Contemporary Use of ICSI and Epigenetic Risks to Future Generations. J Clin Med 2022; 11:jcm11082135. [PMID: 35456226 PMCID: PMC9031244 DOI: 10.3390/jcm11082135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2022] [Revised: 03/30/2022] [Accepted: 04/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Since the birth of Louise Brown in 1978 via IVF, reproductive specialists have acquired enormous knowledge and refined several procedures, which are nowadays applied in assisted reproductive technology (ART). One of the most critical steps in this practice is the fertilization process. In the early days of IVF, a remarkable concern was the unpleasant outcomes of failed fertilization, overtaken by introducing intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), delineating a real breakthrough in modern ART. ICSI became standard practice and was soon used as the most common method to fertilize oocytes. It has been used for severe male factor infertility and non-male factors, such as unexplained infertility or advanced maternal age, without robust scientific evidence. However, applying ICSI blindly is not free of potential detrimental consequences since novel studies report possible health consequences to offspring. DNA methylation and epigenetic alterations in sperm cells of infertile men might help explain some of the adverse effects reported in ICSI studies on reproductive health in future generations. Collected data concerning the health of ICSI children over the past thirty years seems to support the notion that there might be an increased risk of epigenetic disorders, congenital malformations, chromosomal alterations, and subfertility in babies born following ICSI compared to naturally conceived children. However, it is still to be elucidated to what level these data are associated with the cause of infertility or the ICSI technique. This review provides an overview of epigenetic mechanisms and possible imprinting alterations following the use of ART, in particular ICSI. It also highlights the sperm contribution to embryo epigenetic regulation and the risks of in vitro culture conditions on epigenetic dysregulation. Lastly, it summarizes the literature concerning the possible epigenetic disorders in children born after ART.
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Affiliation(s)
- Romualdo Sciorio
- Edinburgh Assisted Conception Programme, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4SA, UK
- Correspondence:
| | - Sandro C. Esteves
- Androfert, Andrology and Human Reproduction Clinic, Campinas 13075-460, Brazil;
- Department of Surgery, Division of Urology, University of Campinas, Campinas 13083-970, Brazil
- Faculty of Health, Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus, Denmark
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19
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Agarwal A, Maldonado Rosas I, Anagnostopoulou C, Cannarella R, Boitrelle F, Munoz LV, Finelli R, Durairajanayagam D, Henkel R, Saleh R. Oxidative Stress and Assisted Reproduction: A Comprehensive Review of Its Pathophysiological Role and Strategies for Optimizing Embryo Culture Environment. Antioxidants (Basel) 2022; 11:antiox11030477. [PMID: 35326126 PMCID: PMC8944628 DOI: 10.3390/antiox11030477] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2021] [Revised: 02/17/2022] [Accepted: 02/21/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Oxidative stress (OS) due to an imbalance between reactive oxygen species (ROS) and antioxidants has been established as an important factor that can negatively affect the outcomes of assisted reproductive techniques (ARTs). Excess ROS exert their pathological effects through damage to cellular lipids, organelles, and DNA, alteration of enzymatic function, and apoptosis. ROS can be produced intracellularly, from immature sperm, oocytes, and embryos. Additionally, several external factors may induce high ROS production in the ART setup, including atmospheric oxygen, CO2 incubators, consumables, visible light, temperature, humidity, volatile organic compounds, and culture media additives. Pathological amounts of ROS can also be generated during the cryopreservation-thawing process of gametes or embryos. Generally, these factors can act at any stage during ART, from gamete preparation to embryo development, till the blastocyst stage. In this review, we discuss the in vitro conditions and environmental factors responsible for the induction of OS in an ART setting. In addition, we describe the effects of OS on gametes and embryos. Furthermore, we highlight strategies to ameliorate the impact of OS during the whole human embryo culture period, from gametes to blastocyst stage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashok Agarwal
- American Center for Reproductive Medicine, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA; (R.F.); (R.H.)
- Correspondence:
| | | | | | - Rossella Cannarella
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy;
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biotechnology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - Florence Boitrelle
- Reproductive Biology, Fertility Preservation, Andrology, CECOS, Poissy Hospital, 78300 Poissy, France;
- Department BREED, UVSQ, INRAE, Paris Saclay University, 78350 Jouy-en-Josas, France
| | - Lina Villar Munoz
- Citmer Reproductive Medicine, IVF LAB, Mexico City 11520, Mexico; (I.M.R.); (L.V.M.)
| | - Renata Finelli
- American Center for Reproductive Medicine, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA; (R.F.); (R.H.)
| | - Damayanthi Durairajanayagam
- Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM), Sungai Buloh Campus, Jalan Hospital, Sungai Buloh 47000, Selangor, Malaysia;
| | - Ralf Henkel
- American Center for Reproductive Medicine, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA; (R.F.); (R.H.)
- Department of Metabolism, Digestion and Reproduction, Imperial College London, London W2 1NY, UK
- Department of Medical Bioscience, University of the Western Cape, Bellville, Cape Town 7530, South Africa
- LogixX Pharma, Theale RG7 4AB, UK
| | - Ramadan Saleh
- Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Andrology, Faculty of Medicine, Sohag University, Sohag 82524, Egypt;
- Ajyal IVF Center, Ajyal Hospital, Sohag 82524, Egypt
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20
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Lopes JS, Soriano-Úbeda C, París-Oller E, Navarro-Serna S, Canha-Gouveia A, Sarrias-Gil L, Cerón JJ, Coy P. Year-Long Phenotypical Study of Calves Derived From Different Assisted-Reproduction Technologies. Front Vet Sci 2022; 8:739041. [PMID: 35083305 PMCID: PMC8784852 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2021.739041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2021] [Accepted: 11/23/2021] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Assisted reproductive technologies play a major role in the cattle industry. An increase in the use of in vitro-derived embryos is currently being seen around the globe. But the efficiency and quality of the in vitro-derived embryos are substandard when compared to the in vivo production. Different protocols have been designed to overcome this issue, one of those being the use of reproductive fluids as supplementation to embryo culture media. In this study, in vitro-derived calves produced with reproductive fluids added to their embryo production protocol were followed for the first year of life pairwise with their in vivo control, produced by artificial insemination (AI), and their in vitro control, produced with standard supplementation in embryo production. The objective was to assess if any differences could be found in terms of growth and development as well as hematological and biochemical analytes between the different systems. All the analysed variables (physical, hematological, and biochemical) were within physiological range and very similar between calves throughout the entire experiment. However, differences were more evident between calves derived from standard in vitro production and AI. We concluded that the use of reproductive fluids as a supplementation to the embryo culture media results in calves with closer growth and development patterns to those born by AI than the use of bovine serum albumin as supplementation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jordana S. Lopes
- Physiology of Reproduction Group, Department of Physiology, Faculty of Veterinary, University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain
- Institute for Biomedical Research of Murcia, IMIB-Arrixaca, Murcia, Spain
| | - Cristina Soriano-Úbeda
- Physiology of Reproduction Group, Department of Physiology, Faculty of Veterinary, University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain
- Institute for Biomedical Research of Murcia, IMIB-Arrixaca, Murcia, Spain
| | - Evelyne París-Oller
- Physiology of Reproduction Group, Department of Physiology, Faculty of Veterinary, University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain
- Institute for Biomedical Research of Murcia, IMIB-Arrixaca, Murcia, Spain
| | - Sergio Navarro-Serna
- Physiology of Reproduction Group, Department of Physiology, Faculty of Veterinary, University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain
- Institute for Biomedical Research of Murcia, IMIB-Arrixaca, Murcia, Spain
| | - Analuce Canha-Gouveia
- Physiology of Reproduction Group, Department of Physiology, Faculty of Veterinary, University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain
- Institute for Biomedical Research of Murcia, IMIB-Arrixaca, Murcia, Spain
| | - Lucía Sarrias-Gil
- Physiology of Reproduction Group, Department of Physiology, Faculty of Veterinary, University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain
| | - José Joaquin Cerón
- Interdisciplinary Laboratory of Clinical Analysis (Interlab-UMU), Faculty of Veterinary, University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain
| | - Pilar Coy
- Physiology of Reproduction Group, Department of Physiology, Faculty of Veterinary, University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain
- Institute for Biomedical Research of Murcia, IMIB-Arrixaca, Murcia, Spain
- *Correspondence: Pilar Coy
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21
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Dietrich JE, Strowitzki T. Embryotransfer an Tag 2/3 vs. Tag 5/6 und „time-lapse imaging“. GYNAKOLOGISCHE ENDOKRINOLOGIE 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s10304-021-00422-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
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22
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Malpotra S, Singh MK, Palta P. MeDIP-sequencing for profiling global DNA methylation in buffalo embryos produced by in vitro fertilization. Anim Biotechnol 2021:1-17. [PMID: 34612161 DOI: 10.1080/10495398.2021.1981356] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Assisted reproductive technique like in vitro fertilization has contributed immensely in producing genetically improved livestock. Production of embryos under in vitro conditions can affect global DNA methylation pattern during the course of embryonic development. The present study is aimed at the generation and comparison of global DNA methylome of embryos at 2-cell, 8-cell and blastocyst stage of buffalo embryos produced by in vitro fertilization using MeDIP-Sequencing. It is observed that there is a profound difference in the global DNA methylation profile of IVF embryos at different developmental stages. These differences are manifested throughout the course of embryonic development. Pathways like Wnt signaling pathway, gonadotropin-releasing hormone receptor pathway and integrin signaling were found to be majorly affected by hypermethylation of DNA in IVF embryos throughout the development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shivani Malpotra
- Embryo Biotechnology Lab, Animal Biotechnology Centre, ICAR-National Dairy Research Institute (Deemed University), Karnal, India
| | - Manoj Kumar Singh
- Embryo Biotechnology Lab, Animal Biotechnology Centre, ICAR-National Dairy Research Institute (Deemed University), Karnal, India
| | - Prabhat Palta
- Embryo Biotechnology Lab, Animal Biotechnology Centre, ICAR-National Dairy Research Institute (Deemed University), Karnal, India
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23
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Caramaschi D, Jungius J, Page CM, Novakovic B, Saffery R, Halliday J, Lewis S, Magnus MC, London SJ, Håberg SE, Relton CL, Lawlor DA, Elliott HR. Association of medically assisted reproduction with offspring cord blood DNA methylation across cohorts. Hum Reprod 2021; 36:2403-2413. [PMID: 34136910 PMCID: PMC8289315 DOI: 10.1093/humrep/deab137] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2020] [Revised: 04/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
STUDY QUESTION Is cord blood DNA methylation associated with having been conceived by medically assisted reproduction? SUMMARY ANSWER This study does not provide strong evidence of an association of conception by medically assisted reproduction with variation in infant blood cell DNA methylation. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY Medically assisted reproduction consists of procedures used to help infertile/subfertile couples conceive, including ART. Due to its importance in gene regulation during early development programming, DNA methylation and its perturbations associated with medically assisted reproduction could reveal new insights into the biological effects of assisted reproductive technologies and potential adverse offspring outcomes. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION We investigated the association of DNA methylation and medically assisted reproduction using a case–control study design (N = 205 medically assisted reproduction cases and N = 2439 naturally conceived controls in discovery cohorts; N = 149 ART cases and N = 58 non-ART controls in replication cohort). PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTINGS, METHODS We assessed the association between medically assisted reproduction and DNA methylation at birth in cord blood (205 medically assisted conceptions and 2439 naturally conceived controls) at >450 000 CpG sites across the genome in two sub-samples of the UK Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC) and two sub-samples of the Norwegian Mother, Father and Child Cohort Study (MoBa) by meta-analysis. We explored replication of findings in the Australian Clinical review of the Health of adults conceived following Assisted Reproductive Technologies (CHART) study (N = 149 ART conceptions and N = 58 controls). MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE The ALSPAC and MoBa meta-analysis revealed evidence of association between conception by medically assisted reproduction and DNA methylation (false-discovery-rate-corrected P-value < 0.05) at five CpG sites which are annotated to two genes (percentage difference in methylation per CpG, cg24051276: Beta = 0.23 (95% CI 0.15,0.31); cg00012522: Beta = 0.47 (95% CI 0.31, 0.63); cg17855264: Beta = 0.31 (95% CI 0.20, 0.43); cg17132421: Beta = 0.30 (95% CI 0.18, 0.42); cg18529845: Beta = 0.41 (95% CI 0.25, 0.57)). Methylation at three of these sites has been previously linked to cancer, aging, HIV infection and neurological diseases. None of these associations replicated in the CHART cohort. There was evidence of a functional role of medically assisted reproduction-induced hypermethylation at CpG sites located within regulatory regions as shown by putative transcription factor binding and chromatin remodelling. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTIONS While insufficient power is likely, heterogeneity in types of medically assisted reproduction procedures and between populations may also contribute. Larger studies might identify replicable variation in DNA methylation at birth due to medically assisted reproduction. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS Newborns conceived with medically assisted procedures present with divergent DNA methylation in cord blood white cells. If these associations are true and causal, they might have long-term consequences for offspring health. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTERESTS(S) This study has been supported by the US National Institute of Health (R01 DK10324), the European Research Council under the European Union’s Seventh Framework Programme (FP7/2007-2013)/ERC Grant agreement no. 669545, European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under Grant agreement no. 733206 (LifeCycle) and the NIHR Biomedical Centre at the University Hospitals Bristol NHS Foundation Trust and the University of Bristol. The UK Medical Research Council and Wellcome (Grant ref: 102215/2/13/2) and the University of Bristol provide core support for ALSPAC. Methylation data in the ALSPAC cohort were generated as part of the UK BBSRC funded (BB/I025751/1 and BB/I025263/1) Accessible Resource for Integrated Epigenomic Studies (ARIES, http://www.ariesepigenomics.org.uk). D.C., J.J., C.L.R. D.A.L and H.R.E. work in a Unit that is supported by the University of Bristol and the UK Medical Research Council (Grant nos. MC_UU_00011/1, MC_UU_00011/5 and MC_UU_00011/6). B.N. is supported by an NHMRC (Australia) Investigator Grant (1173314). ALSPAC GWAS data were generated by Sample Logistics and Genotyping Facilities at Wellcome Sanger Institute and LabCorp (Laboratory Corporation of America) using support from 23andMe. The Norwegian Mother, Father and Child Cohort Study is supported by the Norwegian Ministry of Health and Care Services and the Ministry of Education and Research, NIH/NIEHS (Contract no. N01-ES-75558), NIH/NINDS (Grant nos. (i) UO1 NS 047537-01 and (ii) UO1 NS 047537-06A1). For this work, MoBa 1 and 2 were supported by the Intramural Research Program of the NIH, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (Z01-ES-49019) and the Norwegian Research Council/BIOBANK (Grant no. 221097). This work was partly supported by the Research Council of Norway through its Centres of Excellence funding scheme, Project no. 262700. D.A.L. has received support from national and international government and charity funders, as well as from Roche Diagnostics and Medtronic for research unrelated to this study. The other authors declare no conflicts of interest. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER N/A.
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Affiliation(s)
- Doretta Caramaschi
- MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK.,Population Health Science, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - James Jungius
- MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK.,Population Health Science, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Christian M Page
- Division for Research Support, Oslo Centre for Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway.,Centre for Fertility and Health, Norwegian Institute of Health, Oslo, Norway
| | - Boris Novakovic
- Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Royal Children's Hospital, Parkville, VIC, Australia.,Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Richard Saffery
- Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Royal Children's Hospital, Parkville, VIC, Australia.,Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Jane Halliday
- Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Royal Children's Hospital, Parkville, VIC, Australia.,Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Sharon Lewis
- Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Royal Children's Hospital, Parkville, VIC, Australia.,Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Maria C Magnus
- MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK.,Population Health Science, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK.,Centre for Fertility and Health, Norwegian Institute of Health, Oslo, Norway
| | - Stephanie J London
- Department of Health and Human Services, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
| | - Siri E Håberg
- Centre for Fertility and Health, Norwegian Institute of Health, Oslo, Norway
| | - Caroline L Relton
- MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK.,Population Health Science, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Deborah A Lawlor
- MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK.,Population Health Science, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK.,Bristol NIHR Biomedical Research Centre, University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Hannah R Elliott
- MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK.,Population Health Science, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
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24
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Poirier M, Smith OE, Therrien J, Rigoglio NN, Miglino MA, Silva LA, Meirelles FV, Smith LC. Resiliency of equid H19 imprint to somatic cell reprogramming by oocyte nuclear transfer and genetically induced pluripotency†. Biol Reprod 2021; 102:211-219. [PMID: 31504208 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioz168] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2019] [Revised: 07/31/2019] [Accepted: 08/20/2019] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Cell reprogramming by somatic cell nuclear transfer and in induced pluripotent stem cells is associated with epigenetic modifications that are often incompatible with embryonic development and differentiation. For instance, aberrant DNA methylation patterns of the differentially methylated region and biallelic expression of H19-/IGF2-imprinted gene locus have been associated with abnormal growth of fetuses and placenta in several mammalian species. However, cloned horses are born with normal sizes and with no apparent placental anomalies, suggesting that H19/IGF2 imprinting may be epigenetically stable after reprogramming in this species. In light of this, we aimed at characterizing the equid H19 gene to determine whether imprinting is altered in somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT)-derived conceptuses and induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) lines using the mule hybrid model. A CpG-rich region containing five CTCF binding sites was identified upstream of the equine H19 gene and analyzed by bisulfite sequencing. Coupled with parent-specific and global H19 transcript analysis, we found that the imprinted H19 remains monoallelic and that on average the methylation levels of both parental differentially methylated regions in embryonic and extra-embryonic SCNT tissues and iPSC lines remained unaltered after reprogramming. Together, these results show that, compared to other species, equid somatic cells are more resilient to epigenetic alterations to the H19-imprinted locus during SCNT and iPSC reprogramming.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mikhael Poirier
- Centre de Recherche en Reproduction et Fértilité, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Montreal, Saint-Hyacinthe, QC, Canada
| | - Olivia Eilers Smith
- Centre de Recherche en Reproduction et Fértilité, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Montreal, Saint-Hyacinthe, QC, Canada
| | - Jacinthe Therrien
- Centre de Recherche en Reproduction et Fértilité, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Montreal, Saint-Hyacinthe, QC, Canada
| | - Nathia Nathaly Rigoglio
- Centre de Recherche en Reproduction et Fértilité, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Montreal, Saint-Hyacinthe, QC, Canada.,Department of Surgery, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of Sao Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Maria Angélica Miglino
- Department of Surgery, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of Sao Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Luciano Andrade Silva
- Department of Veterinary, School of Animal and Food Sciences, University of São Paulo, Pirassununga, SP, Brazil
| | - Flavio Vieira Meirelles
- Department of Veterinary, School of Animal and Food Sciences, University of São Paulo, Pirassununga, SP, Brazil
| | - Lawrence Charles Smith
- Centre de Recherche en Reproduction et Fértilité, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Montreal, Saint-Hyacinthe, QC, Canada
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25
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Mulder CL, Wattimury TM, Jongejan A, de Winter-Korver CM, van Daalen SKM, Struijk RB, Borgman SCM, Wurth Y, Consten D, van Echten-Arends J, Mastenbroek S, Dumoulin JCM, Repping S, van Pelt AMM, van Montfoort APA. Comparison of DNA methylation patterns of parentally imprinted genes in placenta derived from IVF conceptions in two different culture media. Hum Reprod 2021; 35:516-528. [PMID: 32222762 PMCID: PMC7105329 DOI: 10.1093/humrep/deaa004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2019] [Revised: 12/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Study question Is there a difference in DNA methylation status of imprinted genes in placentas derived from IVF conceptions where embryo culture was performed in human tubal fluid (HTF) versus G5 culture medium? Summary answer We found no statistically significant differences in the mean DNA methylation status of differentially methylated regions (DMRs) associated with parentally imprinted genes in placentas derived from IVF conceptions cultured in HTF versus G5 culture medium. What is known already Animal studies indicate that the embryo culture environment affects the DNA methylation status of the embryo. In humans, birthweight is known to be affected by the type of embryo culture medium used. The effect of embryo culture media on pregnancy, birth and child development may thus be mediated by differential methylation of parentally imprinted genes in the placenta. Study design, size, duration To identify differential DNA methylation of imprinted genes in human placenta derived from IVF conceptions exposed to HTF or G5 embryo culture medium, placenta samples (n = 43 for HTF, n = 54 for G5) were collected between 2010 and 2012 s as part of a multi-center randomized controlled trial in the Netherlands comparing these embryo culture media. Placenta samples from 69 naturally conceived (NC) live births were collected during 2008–2013 in the Netherlands as reference material. Participants/materials, setting, methods To identify differential DNA methylation of imprinted genes, we opted for an amplicon-based sequencing strategy on an Illumina MiSeq sequencing platform. DNA was isolated and 34 DMRs associated with well-defined parentally imprinted genes were amplified in a two-step PCR before sequencing using MiSeq technology. Sequencing data were analyzed in a multivariate fashion to eliminate possible confounding effects. Main results and the role of chance We found no statistically significant differences in the mean DNA methylation status of any of the imprinted DMRs in placentas derived from IVF conceptions cultured in HTF or G5 culture medium. We also did not observe any differences in the mean methylation status per amplicon nor in the variance in methylation per amplicon between the two culture medium groups. A separate surrogate variable analysis also demonstrated that the IVF culture medium was not associated with the DNA methylation status of these DMRs. The mean methylation level and variance per CpG was equal between HTF and G5 placenta. Additional comparison of DNA methylation status of NC placenta samples revealed no statistically significant differences in mean amplicon and CpG methylation between G5, HTF and NC placenta; however, the number of placenta samples exhibiting outlier methylation levels was higher in IVF placenta compared to NC (P < 0.00001). Also, we were able to identify 37 CpG sites that uniquely displayed outlier methylation in G5 placentas and 32 CpG sites that uniquely displayed outlier methylation in HTF. In 8/37 (G5) and 4/32 (HTF) unique outliers CpGs, a medium-specific unique outlier could be directly correlated to outlier methylation of the entire amplicon. Limitations, reasons for caution Due to practical reasons, not all placentas were collected during the trial, and we collected the placentas from natural conceptions from a different cohort, potentially creating bias. We limited ourselves to the DNA methylation status of 34 imprinted DMRs, and we studied only the placenta and no other embryo-derived tissues. Wider implications of the findings It has often been postulated, but has yet to be rigorously tested, that imprinting mediates the effects of embryo culture conditions on pregnancy, birth and child development in humans. Since we did not detect any statistically significant effects of embryo culture conditions on methylation status of imprinted genes in the placenta, this suggests that other unexplored mechanisms may underlie these effects. The biological and clinical relevance of detected outliers with respect to methylation levels of CpGs and DMR require additional analysis in a larger sample size as well. Given the importance and the growing number of children born through IVF, research into these molecular mechanisms is urgently needed. Study funding/competing interest(s) This study was funded by the March of Dimes grant number #6-FY13-153. The authors have no conflicts of interest. Trial registration number Placental biopsies were obtained under Netherlands Trial Registry number 1979 and 1298.
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Affiliation(s)
- Callista L Mulder
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Amsterdam Reproduction & Development Research Institute, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Tess M Wattimury
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Amsterdam Reproduction & Development Research Institute, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Aldo Jongejan
- Bioinformatics Laboratory, Clinical Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Cindy M de Winter-Korver
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Amsterdam Reproduction & Development Research Institute, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Saskia K M van Daalen
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Amsterdam Reproduction & Development Research Institute, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Robert B Struijk
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Amsterdam Reproduction & Development Research Institute, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Susanne C M Borgman
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Amsterdam Reproduction & Development Research Institute, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Yvonne Wurth
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, St. Elisabeth-TweeSteden Hospital, Hilvarenbeekseweg 60, 5022 GC, Tilburg, the Netherlands
| | - Dimitri Consten
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, St. Elisabeth-TweeSteden Hospital, Hilvarenbeekseweg 60, 5022 GC, Tilburg, the Netherlands
| | - Jannie van Echten-Arends
- Section of Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Hanzeplein 1, 9713 GZ, Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Sebastiaan Mastenbroek
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Amsterdam Reproduction & Development Research Institute, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - John C M Dumoulin
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, GROW School for Oncology and Developmental Biology, Maastricht University Medical Center, P Debyelaan 25, 6229 GX, Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - Sjoerd Repping
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Amsterdam Reproduction & Development Research Institute, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Ans M M van Pelt
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Amsterdam Reproduction & Development Research Institute, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Aafke P A van Montfoort
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, GROW School for Oncology and Developmental Biology, Maastricht University Medical Center, P Debyelaan 25, 6229 GX, Maastricht, the Netherlands
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26
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Haftorn KL, Lee Y, Denault WRP, Page CM, Nustad HE, Lyle R, Gjessing HK, Malmberg A, Magnus MC, Næss Ø, Czamara D, Räikkönen K, Lahti J, Magnus P, Håberg SE, Jugessur A, Bohlin J. An EPIC predictor of gestational age and its application to newborns conceived by assisted reproductive technologies. Clin Epigenetics 2021; 13:82. [PMID: 33875015 PMCID: PMC8056641 DOI: 10.1186/s13148-021-01055-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2020] [Accepted: 03/11/2021] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Gestational age is a useful proxy for assessing developmental maturity, but correct estimation of gestational age is difficult using clinical measures. DNA methylation at birth has proven to be an accurate predictor of gestational age. Previous predictors of epigenetic gestational age were based on DNA methylation data from the Illumina HumanMethylation 27 K or 450 K array, which have subsequently been replaced by the Illumina MethylationEPIC 850 K array (EPIC). Our aims here were to build an epigenetic gestational age clock specific for the EPIC array and to evaluate its precision and accuracy using the embryo transfer date of newborns from the largest EPIC-derived dataset to date on assisted reproductive technologies (ART). Methods We built an epigenetic gestational age clock using Lasso regression trained on 755 randomly selected non-ART newborns from the Norwegian Study of Assisted Reproductive Technologies (START)—a substudy of the Norwegian Mother, Father, and Child Cohort Study (MoBa). For the ART-conceived newborns, the START dataset had detailed information on the embryo transfer date and the specific ART procedure used for conception. The predicted gestational age was compared to clinically estimated gestational age in 200 non-ART and 838 ART newborns using MM-type robust regression. The performance of the clock was compared to previously published gestational age clocks in an independent replication sample of 148 newborns from the Prediction and Prevention of Preeclampsia and Intrauterine Growth Restrictions (PREDO) study—a prospective pregnancy cohort of Finnish women. Results Our new epigenetic gestational age clock showed higher precision and accuracy in predicting gestational age than previous gestational age clocks (R2 = 0.724, median absolute deviation (MAD) = 3.14 days). Restricting the analysis to CpGs shared between 450 K and EPIC did not reduce the precision of the clock. Furthermore, validating the clock on ART newborns with known embryo transfer date confirmed that DNA methylation is an accurate predictor of gestational age (R2 = 0.767, MAD = 3.7 days). Conclusions We present the first EPIC-based predictor of gestational age and demonstrate its robustness and precision in ART and non-ART newborns. As more datasets are being generated on the EPIC platform, this clock will be valuable in studies using gestational age to assess neonatal development. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13148-021-01055-z.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristine L Haftorn
- Department of Genetics and Bioinformatics, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway. .,Centre for Fertility and Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway. .,Institute of Health and Society, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway.
| | - Yunsung Lee
- Department of Genetics and Bioinformatics, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway.,Centre for Fertility and Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
| | - William R P Denault
- Department of Genetics and Bioinformatics, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway.,Centre for Fertility and Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway.,Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Christian M Page
- Centre for Fertility and Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway.,Department of Mathematics, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Haakon E Nustad
- Centre for Fertility and Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway.,Deepinsight, Karl Johans Gate 8, Oslo, Norway
| | - Robert Lyle
- Centre for Fertility and Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway.,Department of Medical Genetics, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Håkon K Gjessing
- Centre for Fertility and Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway.,Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Anni Malmberg
- Department of Psychology and Logopedics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Maria C Magnus
- Centre for Fertility and Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway.,MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK.,Bristol Medical School, Population Health Sciences, Bristol, UK
| | - Øyvind Næss
- Institute of Health and Society, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway.,Division of Mental and Physical Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
| | - Darina Czamara
- Department of Translational Research in Psychiatry, Max-Planck-Institute of Psychiatry, Munich, Germany
| | - Katri Räikkönen
- Department of Psychology and Logopedics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Jari Lahti
- Department of Psychology and Logopedics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Per Magnus
- Centre for Fertility and Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
| | - Siri E Håberg
- Centre for Fertility and Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
| | - Astanand Jugessur
- Department of Genetics and Bioinformatics, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway.,Centre for Fertility and Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway.,Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Jon Bohlin
- Centre for Fertility and Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway.,Division for Infection Control and Environmental Health, Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology and Modelling, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
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Levi-Setti PE, Busnelli A, De Luca R, Scaravelli G. Do Strategies Favoring Frozen-thawed Embryo Transfer Have an Impact on Differences in IVF Success Rate, Multiple Pregnancy Rate, and Cost per Live Birth Between Fertility Clinics? Reprod Sci 2021; 29:1379-1386. [PMID: 33844187 DOI: 10.1007/s43032-021-00555-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2021] [Accepted: 03/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
The aim of this retrospective cohort study is to establish whether strategies favoring frozen-thawed embryo transfer (FET) have an impact on differences in cumulative live birth rate (CLBR), weighted mean cost per live birth, and multiple pregnancy rate (MPR) between fertility clinics. Data were extracted from the Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) Italian National Registry and refer to classical IVF or intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) cycles performed in 2018 in public funded Lombardy region fertility clinics. Propensity to FET cycles was expressed with the so-called freezing tendency index (FTI): [(No. of FETs + No. of transfers of embryos obtained from frozen-thawed oocytes) / (No. of fresh ETs + No. of canceled IVF cycles + Numerator)] × 100. Fertility clinics were divided according to their FTI: group A (FTI: 0-20%); group B (FTI: 20-40%); and group C (FTI: 40-60%). Groups A, B, and C included 6, 8, and 8 fertility clinics, respectively. The CLBR (95% CI) per started COH cycle was 13.1% (11.8-14.5%) in group A, 19.6% (18.6-20.7%) in group B, and 27.8% (26.8-28.9%) in group C (p < 0.0001). The weighted mean live birth cost was 32,770 ± 10,662 € in group A, 25,863 ± 11,510 € in group B, and 20,426 ± 3788 € in group C (p < 0.0001). The MPR (95% CI) was 15.4% (12.1-19.4%) in group A, 10.2% (8.7-12.1%) in group B (p = 0.0065), and 6.3% (5.2-7.6%) in group C (p = 0.0001). In conclusion, our results suggest that strategies favoring FET cycles are associated with an increased CLBR, a decreased weighted mean cost per live birth, and a decreased MPR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paolo Emanuele Levi-Setti
- IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Department of Gynecology, Division of Gynecology and Reproductive Medicine, Fertility Center, Via Manzoni 56, 20089, Rozzano, Milan, Italy
| | - Andrea Busnelli
- IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Department of Gynecology, Division of Gynecology and Reproductive Medicine, Fertility Center, Via Manzoni 56, 20089, Rozzano, Milan, Italy. .,Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Via Rita Levi Montalcini 4, 20072, Pieve Emanuele, Milan, Italy.
| | - Roberto De Luca
- ART Italian National Register, National Centre for Diseases, Prevention and Health Promotion, National Health Institute, Rome, Italy
| | - Giulia Scaravelli
- ART Italian National Register, National Centre for Diseases, Prevention and Health Promotion, National Health Institute, Rome, Italy
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28
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The prolonged disease state of infertility is associated with embryonic epigenetic dysregulation. Fertil Steril 2021; 116:309-318. [PMID: 33745724 DOI: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2021.01.040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2020] [Revised: 01/20/2021] [Accepted: 01/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To evaluate the epigenetic consequence of a prolonged disease state of infertility in euploid blastocysts. DESIGN Methylome analysis as well as targeted imprinted methylation and expression analysis on individual human euploid blastocysts examined in association with duration of patient infertility and time to live birth. SETTING Research study. PATIENT(S) One hundred four surplus cryopreserved euploid blastocysts of transferrable-quality were donated with informed patient consent and grouped based on time to pregnancy (TTP). INTERVENTION(S) None MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): The Methyl Maxi-Seq platform (Zymo Research) was used to determine genome-wide methylation, while targeted methylation and expression analyses were performed by pyrosequencing and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction, respectively. Statistical analyses used Student's t test, 1-way ANOVA, Fisher's exact test, and pairwise-fixed reallocation randomization test, where appropriate. RESULT(S) The methylome analysis of individual blastocysts revealed significant alterations at 6,609 CpG sites associated with prolonged infertility (≥60 months) compared with those of fertile controls (0 months). Significant CpG alterations were localized to numerous imprinting control regions and imprinted genes, and several signaling pathways were highly represented among genes that were differentially methylated. Targeted imprinting methylation analysis uncovered significant hypomethylation at KvDMR and MEST imprinting control regions, with significant decreases in the gene expression levels upon extended TTP (≥36 months) compared to minimal TTP (≤24 months). CONCLUSION(S) The prolonged disease state of infertility correlates with an altered methylome in euploid blastocysts, with particular emphasis on genomic imprinting regulation, compared with assisted reproductive technologies alone.
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29
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Ruggeri E, Lira-Albarrán S, Grow EJ, Liu X, Harner R, Maltepe E, Ramalho-Santos M, Donjacour A, Rinaudo P. Sex-specific epigenetic profile of inner cell mass of mice conceived in vivo or by IVF. Mol Hum Reprod 2020; 26:866-878. [PMID: 33010164 PMCID: PMC7821709 DOI: 10.1093/molehr/gaaa064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2020] [Revised: 09/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The preimplantation stage of development is exquisitely sensitive to environmental stresses, and changes occurring during this developmental phase may have long-term health effects. Animal studies indicate that IVF offspring display metabolic alterations, including hypertension, glucose intolerance and cardiac hypertrophy, often in a sexual dimorphic fashion. The detailed nature of epigenetic changes following in-vitro culture is, however, unknown. This study was performed to evaluate the epigenetic (using whole-genome bisulfite sequencing (WGBS) and assay for transposase-accessible chromatin using sequencing (ATAC-seq)) and transcriptomic changes (using RNA-seq) occurring in the inner cell mass (ICM) of male or female mouse embryos generated in vivo or by IVF. We found that the ICM of IVF embryos, compared to the in-vivo ICM, differed in 3% of differentially methylated regions (DMRs), of which 0.1% were located on CpG islands. ATAC-seq revealed that 293 regions were more accessible and 101 were less accessible in IVF embryos, while RNA-seq revealed that 21 genes were differentially regulated in IVF embryos. Functional enrichment analysis revealed that stress signalling (STAT and NF-kB signalling), developmental processes and cardiac hypertrophy signalling showed consistent changes in WGBS and ATAC-seq platforms. In contrast, male and female embryos showed minimal changes. Male ICM had an increased number of significantly hyper-methylated DMRs, while only 27 regions showed different chromatin accessibility and only one gene was differentially expressed. In summary, this study provides the first comprehensive analysis of DNA methylation, chromatin accessibility and RNA expression changes induced by IVF in male and female ICMs. This dataset can be of value to all researchers interested in the developmental origin of health and disease (DOHaD) hypothesis and might lead to a better understanding of how early embryonic manipulation may affect adult health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Ruggeri
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, CA, 94143, USA
- San Diego Zoo Global, Institute for Conservation Research, Reproductive Sciences, Escondido, CA, 92027, USA
| | - Saúl Lira-Albarrán
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, CA, 94143, USA
| | - Edward J Grow
- Department of Oncological Sciences and Huntsman Cancer Institute, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
| | - Xiaowei Liu
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, CA, 94143, USA
| | - Royce Harner
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, CA, 94143, USA
| | - Emin Maltepe
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Francisco, CA, 94143, USA
| | - Miguel Ramalho-Santos
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, CA, 94143, USA
- Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, University of Toronto, ON, M5G1X5, Canada
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, ON, M5S1A8, Canada
| | - Annemarie Donjacour
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, CA, 94143, USA
| | - Paolo Rinaudo
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, CA, 94143, USA
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30
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Hara-Isono K, Matsubara K, Mikami M, Arima T, Ogata T, Fukami M, Kagami M. Assisted reproductive technology represents a possible risk factor for development of epimutation-mediated imprinting disorders for mothers aged ≥ 30 years. Clin Epigenetics 2020; 12:111. [PMID: 32698867 PMCID: PMC7374921 DOI: 10.1186/s13148-020-00900-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2020] [Accepted: 07/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Backgrounds The proportion of assisted reproductive technology (ART)-conceived livebirths of patients with imprinting disorders (IDs) is higher than that of the general population. Whether this is due to ART or confounding effects of advanced parental age was not investigated. We examined the association of ART and parental ages at childbirth for the development of eight epimutation-mediated imprinting disorders (epi-IDs). Results We enrolled 136 patients with epi-IDs and obtained general population ART data from the Japanese robust nationwide registry. We compared the proportion of ART-conceived livebirths and maternal childbearing ages between patients with epi-IDs and the general population. The proportion of ART-conceived livebirths in patients with epi-IDs was higher than that in mothers aged ≥ 30 years, the age group in which more than 90% of ART procedures performed. The maternal childbearing ages of patients with epi-IDs were widely distributed from 19 to 45 (median: 32) within the approximate 2.5th to 97.5th percentiles of maternal childbearing ages of the general population. In addition, we compared the proportion of ART-conceived livebirths and parental ages at childbirth across patients with eight epi-IDs. We demonstrated that more than 90% of ART-conceived patients with epi-IDs were found in Silver-Russell syndrome (SRS) and Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome (BWS) patients, and parental ages were almost consistent in patients with eight epi-IDs, except Prader-Willi syndrome. Conclusions According to the prerequisite that most of the ART procedures in Japan are performed on mothers aged ≥ 30 years, ART can be a risk factor for the development of epi-IDs, particularly SRS and BWS, for mothers aged ≥ 30 years.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaori Hara-Isono
- Department of Molecular Endocrinology, National Research Institute for Child Health and Development, 2-10-1 Okura, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo, 157-8535, Japan.,Department of Pediatrics, Keio University School of Medicine, 35 Shinanomachi, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, 160-8582, Japan
| | - Keiko Matsubara
- Department of Molecular Endocrinology, National Research Institute for Child Health and Development, 2-10-1 Okura, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo, 157-8535, Japan
| | - Masashi Mikami
- Division of Biostatistics, Clinical Research Center, National Center for Child Health and Development, 2-10-1 Okura, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo, 157-8535, Japan
| | - Takahiro Arima
- Department of Informative Genetics, Environment and Genome Research Center, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, 2-1 Seiryo-cho, Aoba-ku, Sendai, 980-8575, Japan
| | - Tsutomu Ogata
- Department of Molecular Endocrinology, National Research Institute for Child Health and Development, 2-10-1 Okura, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo, 157-8535, Japan.,Department of Pediatrics, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, 1-20-1 Handayama, Higashi-ku, Hamamatsu, 431-3192, Japan
| | - Maki Fukami
- Department of Molecular Endocrinology, National Research Institute for Child Health and Development, 2-10-1 Okura, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo, 157-8535, Japan
| | - Masayo Kagami
- Department of Molecular Endocrinology, National Research Institute for Child Health and Development, 2-10-1 Okura, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo, 157-8535, Japan.
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31
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Vrooman LA, Rhon-Calderon EA, Chao OY, Nguyen DK, Narapareddy L, Dahiya AK, Putt ME, Schultz RM, Bartolomei MS. Assisted reproductive technologies induce temporally specific placental defects and the preeclampsia risk marker sFLT1 in mouse. Development 2020; 147:147/11/dev186551. [PMID: 32471820 DOI: 10.1242/dev.186551] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2019] [Accepted: 04/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Although widely used, assisted reproductive technologies (ARTs) are associated with adverse perinatal outcomes. To elucidate their underlying causes, we have conducted a longitudinal analysis of placental development and fetal growth using a mouse model to investigate the effects of individual ART procedures: hormone stimulation, in vitro fertilization (IVF), embryo culture and embryo transfer. We demonstrate that transfer of blastocysts naturally conceived without hormone stimulation and developed in vivo prior to transfer can impair early placentation and fetal growth, but this effect normalizes by term. In contrast, embryos cultured in vitro before transfer do not exhibit this compensation but rather display placental overgrowth, reduced fetal weight, reduced placental DNA methylation and increased levels of sFLT1, an anti-angiogenic protein implicated in causing the maternal symptoms of preeclampsia in humans. Increases in sFLT1 observed in this study suggest that IVF procedures could increase the risk for preeclampsia. Moreover, our results indicate that embryo culture is the major factor contributing to most placental abnormalities and should therefore be targeted for optimization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa A Vrooman
- Epigenetics Institute, Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Eric A Rhon-Calderon
- Epigenetics Institute, Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Olivia Y Chao
- Epigenetics Institute, Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Duy K Nguyen
- Epigenetics Institute, Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Laren Narapareddy
- Epigenetics Institute, Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.,Department of Family and Community Health, Claire M. Fagin School of Nursing, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Asha K Dahiya
- Epigenetics Institute, Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Mary E Putt
- Department of Biostatistics, Epidemiology, and Informatics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Richard M Schultz
- Department of Biology, School of Arts and Sciences, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Marisa S Bartolomei
- Epigenetics Institute, Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
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32
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Morphokinetic analysis of cleavage stage embryos and assessment of specific gene expression in cumulus cells independently predict human embryo development to expanded blastocyst: a preliminary study. J Assist Reprod Genet 2020; 37:1409-1420. [PMID: 32436046 PMCID: PMC7311629 DOI: 10.1007/s10815-020-01806-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2019] [Accepted: 05/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
To assess whether morphokinetic features at the cleavage stage together with specific gene expression in cumulus cells (CCs) may be used to predict whether human embryos are able to achieve the expanded blastocyst stage on day 5. Eighty-one embryos were cultured using the Geri plus® time-lapse system. Twenty-seven embryos progressing to the expanded blastocyst stage (BL group) were compared with thirty-five embryos showing developmental arrest (AR group) and nineteen reaching the stage of early or not fully expanded blastocyst (nBL group). The analyzed morphokinetic variables were pronuclear appearance (tPNa), pronuclear fading (tPNf), and completion of cleavage to two, three, four, and eight cells (t2, t3, t4, and t8). CCs were analyzed by RT-qPCR for bone morphogenetic protein 15 (BMP15), cytochrome c oxidase subunit II (COXII), ATP synthase subunit 6 (MT-ATP6), connexin 43 (Cx43), and heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1). Embryos of BL group showed a significantly faster kinetic. BMP15, COXII, and MT-ATP6 mRNA expression was significantly higher in CCs of BL group embryos, whereas Cx43 and HO-1 mRNA levels were higher in AR group. Kinetic parameters and gene expression were not significantly different between either the BL and nBL groups or the AR and nBL groups. ROC curves showed that the most predictive cut-offs were t2 < 26.25 for morphokinetics and COXII > 0.3 for gene expression. Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that morphokinetic variables and gene expression were both valuable, independent predictors of embryo development to expanded blastocyst. Our results suggest the possibility of developing integrated prediction models for early embryo selection at the cleavage stage.
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33
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Henningsen AA, Gissler M, Rasmussen S, Opdahl S, Wennerholm UB, Spangmose AL, Tiitinen A, Bergh C, Romundstad LB, Laivuori H, Forman JL, Pinborg A, Lidegaard Ø. Imprinting disorders in children born after ART: a Nordic study from the CoNARTaS group. Hum Reprod 2020; 35:1178-1184. [DOI: 10.1093/humrep/deaa039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2019] [Revised: 01/31/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
STUDY QUESTION:
Is the risk of imprinting disorders increased in children conceived after
SUMMARY ANSWER:
We found an adjusted odds ratio (AOR) of 2.84 [95% CI: 1.34–6.01] for Beckwith–Wiedemann syndrome in ART children, while the risk of Prader–Willi syndrome, Silver–Russell syndrome or Angelman syndrome was not increased in children conceived after ART.
WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY:
Earlier studies, most of them small, have suggested an association between ART and imprinting disorders.
STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION:
This was a binational register-based cohort study. All children conceived by ART in Denmark (n = 45 393, born between 1994 and 2014) and in Finland (n = 29 244, born between 1990 and 2014) were identified. The full background populations born during the same time periods in the two countries were included as controls. Odds ratios of imprinting disorders in ART children compared with naturally conceived (NC) children were calculated. The median follow-up time was 8 years and 9 months for ART children and 11 years and 9 months for NC children.
PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS:
From the national health registries in Denmark and Finland, we identified all children diagnosed with Prader–Willi syndrome (n = 143), Silver–Russell syndrome (n = 69), Beckwith–Wiedemann syndrome (n = 105) and Angelman syndrome (n = 72) born between 1994/1990 and 2014, respectively.
MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE:
We identified a total of 388 children diagnosed with imprinting disorders; 16 of these were conceived after ART. The overall AOR for the four imprinting disorders in ART children compared with NC children was 1.35 [95% CI: 0.80–2.29], but since eight ART children were diagnosed with Beckwith–Wiedemann syndrome, the AOR for this specific imprinting disorder was 2.84 [95% CI: 1.34–6.01]. The absolute risk of Beckwith–Wiedemann syndrome in children conceived after ART was still low: 10.7 out of 100 000 newborns. The risks of Prader–Willi syndrome, Silver–Russell syndrome and Angelman syndrome were not increased in children conceived after ART.
LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION:
Imprinting disorders are rare events and our results are based on few ART children with imprinting disorders. The aetiology is complex and only partly clarified, and the clinical diagnoses are challenged by a broad phenotypic spectrum.
WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS:
In the existing studies, results on the risk of imprinting disorders in children conceived after ART are ambiguous. This study adds that the risk of imprinting disorders in ART children is very small and perhaps restricted to Beckwith–Wiedemann syndrome.
STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S):
This work was supported by the Nordic Trial Alliance: a pilot project jointly funded by the Nordic Council of Ministers and NordForsk (grant number: 71450), the Nordic Federation of Obstetrics and Gynecology (grant numbers: NF13041, NF15058, NF16026 and NF17043) and the Interreg Öresund-Kattegat-Skagerak European Regional Development Fund (ReproUnion project). The authors have no conflicts of interest related to this work.
TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER:
N/A
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Affiliation(s)
- A A Henningsen
- Fertility Clinic, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen University Hospital, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - M Gissler
- Information Services Department, THL Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, 00270 Helsinki, Finland
- Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Division of Family Medicine, Karolinska Institute, 17177 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - S Rasmussen
- Fertility Clinic, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen University Hospital, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - S Opdahl
- Department of Public Health and Nursing, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, 7491 Trondheim, Norway
| | - U B Wennerholm
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Institute of Clinical Sciences, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, 413 45 Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - A L Spangmose
- Fertility Clinic, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen University Hospital, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - A Tiitinen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki University Hospital, 00290 Helsinki, Finland
| | - C Bergh
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Institute of Clinical Sciences, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, 413 45 Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - L B Romundstad
- Department of Public Health and Nursing, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, 7491 Trondheim, Norway
- Spiren Fertility Clinic, 7491 Trondheim, Norway
| | - H Laivuori
- Institute for Molecular Medicine Finland, Helsinki Institute of Life Science, University of Helsinki, 00290 Helsinki, Finland
- Department of Medical and Clinical Genetics, University of Helsinki, Helsinki University Hospital, 00290 Helsinki, Finland
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tampere University Hospital and University of Tampere, Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, 33520 Tampere, Finland
| | - J L Forman
- Department of Biostatistics, University of Copenhagen, 1014 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - A Pinborg
- Fertility Clinic, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen University Hospital, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Ø Lidegaard
- Gynecological Clinic, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
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Ivanova E, Canovas S, Garcia-Martínez S, Romar R, Lopes JS, Rizos D, Sanchez-Calabuig MJ, Krueger F, Andrews S, Perez-Sanz F, Kelsey G, Coy P. DNA methylation changes during preimplantation development reveal inter-species differences and reprogramming events at imprinted genes. Clin Epigenetics 2020; 12:64. [PMID: 32393379 PMCID: PMC7216732 DOI: 10.1186/s13148-020-00857-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2019] [Accepted: 04/23/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Preimplantation embryos experience profound resetting of epigenetic information inherited from the gametes. Genome-wide analysis at single-base resolution has shown similarities but also species differences between human and mouse preimplantation embryos in DNA methylation patterns and reprogramming. Here, we have extended such analysis to two key livestock species, the pig and the cow. We generated genome-wide DNA methylation and whole-transcriptome datasets from gametes to blastocysts in both species. In oocytes from both species, a distinctive bimodal methylation landscape is present, with hypermethylated domains prevalent over hypomethylated domains, similar to human, while in the mouse the proportions are reversed. An oocyte-like pattern of methylation persists in the cleavage stages, albeit with some reduction in methylation level, persisting to blastocysts in cow, while pig blastocysts have a highly hypomethylated landscape. In the pig, there was evidence of transient de novo methylation at the 8–16 cell stages of domains unmethylated in oocytes, revealing a complex dynamic of methylation reprogramming. The methylation datasets were used to identify germline differentially methylated regions (gDMRs) of known imprinted genes and for the basis of detection of novel imprinted loci. Strikingly in the pig, we detected a consistent reduction in gDMR methylation at the 8–16 cell stages, followed by recovery to the blastocyst stage, suggesting an active period of imprint stabilization in preimplantation embryos. Transcriptome analysis revealed absence of expression in oocytes of both species of ZFP57, a key factor in the mouse for gDMR methylation maintenance, but presence of the alternative imprint regulator ZNF445. In conclusion, our study reveals species differences in DNA methylation reprogramming and suggests that porcine or bovine models may be closer to human in key aspects than in the mouse model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Ivanova
- Epigenetics Programme, The Babraham Institute, Cambridge, CB22 3AT, UK
| | - Sebastian Canovas
- Physiology of Reproduction Group, Departamento de Fisiología, Universidad de Murcia, Campus Mare Nostrum, 30100, Murcia, Spain.,Instituto Murciano de Investigación Biosanitaria, IMIB-Arrixaca-UMU, 30120, Murcia, Spain
| | - Soledad Garcia-Martínez
- Physiology of Reproduction Group, Departamento de Fisiología, Universidad de Murcia, Campus Mare Nostrum, 30100, Murcia, Spain
| | - Raquel Romar
- Physiology of Reproduction Group, Departamento de Fisiología, Universidad de Murcia, Campus Mare Nostrum, 30100, Murcia, Spain.,Instituto Murciano de Investigación Biosanitaria, IMIB-Arrixaca-UMU, 30120, Murcia, Spain
| | - Jordana S Lopes
- Physiology of Reproduction Group, Departamento de Fisiología, Universidad de Murcia, Campus Mare Nostrum, 30100, Murcia, Spain
| | | | | | - Felix Krueger
- Bioinformatics Group, The Babraham Institute, Cambridge, CB22 3AT, UK
| | - Simon Andrews
- Bioinformatics Group, The Babraham Institute, Cambridge, CB22 3AT, UK
| | - Fernando Perez-Sanz
- Instituto Murciano de Investigación Biosanitaria, IMIB-Arrixaca-UMU, 30120, Murcia, Spain
| | - Gavin Kelsey
- Epigenetics Programme, The Babraham Institute, Cambridge, CB22 3AT, UK. .,Centre for Trophoblast Research, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 3EG, UK.
| | - Pilar Coy
- Physiology of Reproduction Group, Departamento de Fisiología, Universidad de Murcia, Campus Mare Nostrum, 30100, Murcia, Spain. .,Instituto Murciano de Investigación Biosanitaria, IMIB-Arrixaca-UMU, 30120, Murcia, Spain.
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Kindsfather AJ, Czekalski MA, Pressimone CA, Erisman MP, Mann MRW. Perturbations in imprinted methylation from assisted reproductive technologies but not advanced maternal age in mouse preimplantation embryos. Clin Epigenetics 2019; 11:162. [PMID: 31767035 PMCID: PMC6878706 DOI: 10.1186/s13148-019-0751-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2019] [Accepted: 09/23/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Over the last several decades, the average age of first-time mothers has risen steadily. With increasing maternal age comes a decrease in fertility, which in turn has led to an increase in the use of assisted reproductive technologies by these women. Assisted reproductive technologies (ARTs), including superovulation and embryo culture, have been shown separately to alter imprinted DNA methylation maintenance in blastocysts. However, there has been little investigation on the effects of advanced maternal age, with or without ARTs, on genomic imprinting. We hypothesized that ARTs and advanced maternal age, separately and together, alter imprinted methylation in mouse preimplantation embryos. For this study, we examined imprinted methylation at three genes, Snrpn, Kcnq1ot1, and H19, which in humans are linked to ART-associated methylation errors that lead to imprinting disorders. Results Our data showed that imprinted methylation acquisition in oocytes was unaffected by increasing maternal age. Furthermore, imprinted methylation was normally acquired when advanced maternal age was combined with superovulation. Analysis of blastocyst-stage embryos revealed that imprinted methylation maintenance was also not affected by increasing maternal age. In a comparison of ARTs, we observed that the frequency of blastocysts with imprinted methylation loss was similar between the superovulation only and the embryo culture only groups, while the combination of superovulation and embryo culture resulted in a higher frequency of mouse blastocysts with maternal imprinted methylation perturbations than superovulation alone. Finally, the combination of increasing maternal age with ARTs had no additional effect on the frequency of imprinted methylation errors. Conclusion Collectively, increasing maternal age with or without superovulation had no effect of imprinted methylation acquisition at Snrpn, Kcnq1ot1, and H19 in oocytes. Furthermore, during preimplantation development, while ARTs generated perturbations in imprinted methylation maintenance in blastocysts, advanced maternal age did not increase the burden of imprinted methylation errors at Snrpn, Kcnq1ot1, and H19 when combined with ARTs. These results provide cautious optimism that advanced maternal age is not a contributing factor to imprinted methylation errors in embryos produced in the clinic. Furthermore, our data on the effects of ARTs strengthen the need to advance clinical methods to reduce imprinted methylation errors in in vitro-produced embryos.
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Affiliation(s)
- Audrey J Kindsfather
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, 204 Craft Ave, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA.,Magee-Womens Research Institute, 204 Craft Ave, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA
| | - Megan A Czekalski
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, 204 Craft Ave, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA.,Magee-Womens Research Institute, 204 Craft Ave, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA
| | - Catherine A Pressimone
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, 204 Craft Ave, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA.,Magee-Womens Research Institute, 204 Craft Ave, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA
| | - Margaret P Erisman
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, 204 Craft Ave, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA.,Magee-Womens Research Institute, 204 Craft Ave, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA
| | - Mellissa R W Mann
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, 204 Craft Ave, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA. .,Magee-Womens Research Institute, 204 Craft Ave, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA.
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Abstract
The first crucial step in the developmental program occurs during pre-implantation, the time after the oocyte has been fertilized and before the embryo implants in the uterus. This period represents a vulnerable window as the epigenome undergoes dynamic changes in DNA methylation profiles. Alterations in the early embryonic reprogramming wave can impair DNA methylation patterns and induce permanent changes to the developmental program, leading to the onset of adverse health outcomes in offspring. Although there is an increasing body of evidence indicating that harmful exposures during pre-implantation embryo development can trigger lasting epigenetic alterations in offspring, the mechanisms are still not fully understood. Since physiological or pathological changes in DNA methylation can occur as a response to environmental cues, proper environmental milieu plays a critical role in the success of embryonic development. In this review, we depict the mechanisms behind the embryonic epigenetic reprogramming of DNA methylation and highlight how maternal environmental stressors (e.g., alcohol, heat stress, nutrient availability) during pre-implantation and assisted reproductive technology procedures affect development and DNA methylation marks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mélanie Breton-Larrivée
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, Université de Montréal, Research Center of the CHU Sainte-Justine. Montreal, Canada
| | - Elizabeth Elder
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, Université de Montréal, Research Center of the CHU Sainte-Justine. Montreal, Canada
| | - Serge McGraw
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, Université de Montréal, Research Center of the CHU Sainte-Justine. Montreal, Canada.,Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Université de Montréal, Research Center of the CHU Sainte-Justine, Montréal, Canada
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Petri T, Dankert D, Demond H, Wennemuth G, Horsthemke B, Grümmer R. In vitro postovulatory oocyte aging affects H3K9 trimethylation in two-cell embryos after IVF. Ann Anat 2019; 227:151424. [PMID: 31610252 DOI: 10.1016/j.aanat.2019.151424] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2019] [Revised: 09/19/2019] [Accepted: 09/24/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The physiological time axis of oocyte maturation comprises highly sensitive processes. A prolonged time span between ovulation and fertilization may impair oocyte developmental competence and subsequent embryo development, possibly due to epigenetic modifications. Since post-translational histone modifications can modify chromatin activity, and trimethylation of H3K9 (H3K9me3) has been shown to increase in the murine oocyte during maturation, here the effect of postovulatory oocyte aging on H3K9me3 was analyzed. METHODS The competence of murine oocytes which were aged for 2, 4, 6 and 8 h in vitro after oocyte retrieval to develop to the two-cell and blastocyst stage was determined. Degree of H3K9me3 was analyzed in the postovulatory aged oocytes as well as in the resulting two-cell embryos after IVF. RESULTS The current study shows that postovulatory aging of oocytes for up to eight hours after oocyte retrieval exhibited no effect on two-cell embryo and blastocyst rate; however, changes in H3K9me3 in the resulting two-cell embryos were observed. CONCLUSION Prolonged postovulatory oocyte aging leads to epigenetic modifications of H3K9. Such modifications may affect the developmental capacity of embryos at post-implantation developmental stages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Theresa Petri
- Institute of Anatomy, University Hospital Essen, University Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Debora Dankert
- Institute of Anatomy, University Hospital Essen, University Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Hannah Demond
- Institute of Human Genetics, University Hospital Essen, University Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Gunther Wennemuth
- Institute of Anatomy, University Hospital Essen, University Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Bernhard Horsthemke
- Institute of Human Genetics, University Hospital Essen, University Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Ruth Grümmer
- Institute of Anatomy, University Hospital Essen, University Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany.
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Saenz-de-Juano MD, Ivanova E, Romero S, Lolicato F, Sánchez F, Van Ranst H, Krueger F, Segonds-Pichon A, De Vos M, Andrews S, Smitz J, Kelsey G, Anckaert E. DNA methylation and mRNA expression of imprinted genes in blastocysts derived from an improved in vitro maturation method for oocytes from small antral follicles in polycystic ovary syndrome patients. Hum Reprod 2019; 34:1640-1649. [PMID: 31398248 DOI: 10.1093/humrep/dez121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2018] [Revised: 06/04/2019] [Accepted: 06/17/2019] [Indexed: 11/08/2023] Open
Abstract
STUDY QUESTION Does imprinted DNA methylation or imprinted gene expression differ between human blastocysts from conventional ovarian stimulation (COS) and an optimized two-step IVM method (CAPA-IVM) in age-matched polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) patients? SUMMARY ANSWER No significant differences in imprinted DNA methylation and gene expression were detected between COS and CAPA-IVM blastocysts. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY Animal models have revealed alterations in DNA methylation maintenance at imprinted germline differentially methylated regions (gDMRs) after use of ARTs. This effect increases as more ART interventions are applied to oocytes or embryos. IVM is a minimal-stimulation ART with reduced hormone-related side effects and risks for patients. CAPA-IVM is an improved IVM system that includes a pre-maturation step (CAPA), followed by an IVM step, both in the presence of physiological compounds that promote oocyte developmental capacity. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION For DNA methylation analysis 20 CAPA-IVM blastocysts were compared to 12 COS blastocysts. For RNA-Seq analysis a separate set of 15 CAPA-IVM blastocysts were compared to 5 COS blastocysts. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS COS embryos originated from 12 patients with PCOS (according to Rotterdam criteria) who underwent conventional ovarian stimulation. For CAPA-IVM 23 women were treated for 3-5 days with highly purified hMG (HP-hMG) and no hCG trigger was given before oocyte retrieval. Oocytes were first cultured in pre-maturation medium (CAPA for 24 h containing C-type natriuretic peptide), followed by an IVM step (30 h) in medium containing FSH and Amphiregulin. After ICSI, Day 5 or 6 embryos in both groups were vitrified and used for post-bisulphite adaptor tagging (PBAT) DNA methylation analysis or RNA-seq gene expression analysis of individual embryos. Data from specific genes and gDMRs were extracted from the PABT and RNA-seq datasets. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE CAPA-IVM blastocysts showed similar rates of methylation and gene expression at gDMRs compared to COS embryos. In addition, expression of major epigenetic regulators was similar between the groups. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION The embryos from the COS group were generated in a range of culture media. The CAPA-IVM embryos were all generated using the same sperm donor. The DNA methylation level of gDMRs in purely in vivo-derived human blastocysts is not known. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS A follow-up of children born after CAPA-IVM is important as it is for other new ARTs, which are generally introduced into clinical practice without prior epigenetic safety studies on human blastocysts. CAPA-IVM opens new perspectives for patient-friendly ART in PCOS. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S) IVM research at the Vrije Universiteit Brussel has been supported by grants from the Institute for the Promotion of Innovation by Science and Technology in Flanders (Agentschap voor Innovatie door Wetenschap en Technologie-IWT, project 110680), the Fund for Research Flanders (Fonds voor Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek-Vlaanderen-FWO-AL 679 project, project G.0343.13), the Belgian Foundation Against Cancer (HOPE project, Dossier C69Ref Nr 2016-119) and the Vrije Universiteit Brussel (IOF Project 4R-ART Nr 2042). Work in G.K.'s laboratory is supported by the UK Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council and Medical Research Council. The authors have no conflicts of interest.
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Affiliation(s)
- M D Saenz-de-Juano
- Follicle Biology Laboratory (FOBI), UZ Brussel, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
- Animal Physiology, Institute of Agricultural Sciences, ETH Zurich, Switzerland
| | - E Ivanova
- Epigenetics Programme, The Babraham Institute, Cambridge, UK
| | - S Romero
- Follicle Biology Laboratory (FOBI), UZ Brussel, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
- Laboratory of Reproductive Biology and Fertility Preservation, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Peru
| | - F Lolicato
- Follicle Biology Laboratory (FOBI), UZ Brussel, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
- Fertilab Barcelona, Via Augusta, 237-239, Barcelona 08021, Spain
| | - F Sánchez
- Follicle Biology Laboratory (FOBI), UZ Brussel, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
- Laboratory of Reproductive Biology and Fertility Preservation, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Peru
| | - H Van Ranst
- Follicle Biology Laboratory (FOBI), UZ Brussel, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - F Krueger
- Bioinformatics Unit, The Babraham Institute, Cambridge, UK
| | | | - M De Vos
- Follicle Biology Laboratory (FOBI), UZ Brussel, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
- Centre for Reproductive Medicine, UZ Brussel, Brussels 1090, Belgium
| | - S Andrews
- Bioinformatics Unit, The Babraham Institute, Cambridge, UK
| | - J Smitz
- Follicle Biology Laboratory (FOBI), UZ Brussel, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - G Kelsey
- Epigenetics Programme, The Babraham Institute, Cambridge, UK
| | - E Anckaert
- Follicle Biology Laboratory (FOBI), UZ Brussel, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
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Chen S, Zhang M, Li L, Wang M, Shi Y, Zhang H, Kang B, Tang N, Li B. Loss of methylation of H19-imprinted gene derived from assisted reproductive technologies can be mitigated by cleavage-stage embryo transfer in mice. J Assist Reprod Genet 2019; 36:2259-2269. [PMID: 31515683 DOI: 10.1007/s10815-019-01575-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2019] [Accepted: 08/28/2019] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Studies on rodents have shown that assisted reproductive technologies (ARTs) are associated with perturbation of genomic imprinting in blastocyst-stage embryos. However, the vulnerable developmental window for ART influence on the genomic imprinting of embryos is still undetermined. The purpose of this study was to establish the specific embryonic development stage at which the loss of methylation of H19 imprinting control regions (ICRs) was caused by ART occurrence. Additionally, we explored protocols to safeguard against possible negative impacts of ART on embryo H19 imprinting. METHODS Mouse embryos were generated under four different experimental conditions, divided into four groups: control, in vitro culture (IVC), in vitro fertilization (IVF), and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). The methylation levels of H19 ICR of the grouped or individual embryos were analyzed by bisulfite-sequencing PCR. RESULTS Our data showed that the loss of methylation of H19 ICR in mouse blastocysts was inflicted to a similar extent by IVC, IVF, and ICSI. Specifically, we observed a significant loss of methylation of H19 ICR between the mouse 8-cell and morula stages. In addition, we revealed that the transfer of mouse embryos generated by ARTs in the uterus at the 8-cell stage induced the occurrence of methylation patterns in the blastocysts closer to the in vivo ones. CONCLUSIONS Our findings indicate that the loss of methylation of H19 ICR caused by ARTs occurs between the 8-cell and the morula stages, and the transfer of cleavage embryos to the uterus mitigates the loss methylation of H19 derived by mice ARTs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuqiang Chen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tangdu Hospital, the Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, 710038, China
| | - Meizi Zhang
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Tianjin Frist Central Hospital, Tianjin, 300192, China
| | - Li Li
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tangdu Hospital, the Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, 710038, China
| | - Ming Wang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tangdu Hospital, the Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, 710038, China
| | - Yongqian Shi
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tangdu Hospital, the Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, 710038, China
| | - Hengde Zhang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tangdu Hospital, the Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, 710038, China
| | - Bin Kang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tangdu Hospital, the Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, 710038, China
| | - Na Tang
- Shaanxi Institute for Food and Drug Control, Xi'an, 710038, People's Republic of China.
| | - Bo Li
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tangdu Hospital, the Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, 710038, China.
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40
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Wang Y, Liu Q, Tang F, Yan L, Qiao J. Epigenetic Regulation and Risk Factors During the Development of Human Gametes and Early Embryos. Annu Rev Genomics Hum Genet 2019; 20:21-40. [DOI: 10.1146/annurev-genom-083118-015143] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Drastic epigenetic reprogramming occurs during human gametogenesis and early embryo development. Advances in low-input and single-cell epigenetic techniques have provided powerful tools to dissect the genome-wide dynamics of different epigenetic molecular layers in these processes. In this review, we focus mainly on the most recent progress in understanding the dynamics of DNA methylation, chromatin accessibility, and histone modifications in human gametogenesis and early embryo development. Deficiencies in remodeling of the epigenomes can cause severe developmental defects, infertility, and long-term health issues in offspring. Aspects of the external environment, including assisted reproductive technology procedures, parental diets, and unhealthy parental habits, may disturb the epigenetic reprogramming processes and lead to an aberrant epigenome in the offspring. Here, we review the current knowledge of the potential risk factors of aberrant epigenomes in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Wang
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Genomics, Center for Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing 100191, China;, , ,
- Key Laboratory of Assisted Reproduction, Ministry of Education, Beijing 100191, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology and Assisted Reproductive Technology, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Qiang Liu
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Genomics, Center for Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing 100191, China;, , ,
- Key Laboratory of Assisted Reproduction, Ministry of Education, Beijing 100191, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology and Assisted Reproductive Technology, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Fuchou Tang
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Genomics, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Cell Proliferation and Differentiation, College of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
- Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Liying Yan
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Genomics, Center for Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing 100191, China;, , ,
- Key Laboratory of Assisted Reproduction, Ministry of Education, Beijing 100191, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology and Assisted Reproductive Technology, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Jie Qiao
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Genomics, Center for Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing 100191, China;, , ,
- Key Laboratory of Assisted Reproduction, Ministry of Education, Beijing 100191, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology and Assisted Reproductive Technology, Beijing 100191, China
- Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
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Genomic imprinting disorders: lessons on how genome, epigenome and environment interact. Nat Rev Genet 2019; 20:235-248. [PMID: 30647469 DOI: 10.1038/s41576-018-0092-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 211] [Impact Index Per Article: 42.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Genomic imprinting, the monoallelic and parent-of-origin-dependent expression of a subset of genes, is required for normal development, and its disruption leads to human disease. Imprinting defects can involve isolated or multilocus epigenetic changes that may have no evident genetic cause, or imprinting disruption can be traced back to alterations of cis-acting elements or trans-acting factors that control the establishment, maintenance and erasure of germline epigenetic imprints. Recent insights into the dynamics of the epigenome, including the effect of environmental factors, suggest that the developmental outcomes and heritability of imprinting disorders are influenced by interactions between the genome, the epigenome and the environment in germ cells and early embryos.
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Bedi Y, Golding MC. Context is King — Questioning the causal role of DNA methylation in environmentally induced changes in gene expression. CURRENT OPINION IN TOXICOLOGY 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cotox.2019.08.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
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Velazquez MA, Fleming TP, Watkins AJ. Periconceptional environment and the developmental origins of disease. J Endocrinol 2019; 242:T33-T49. [PMID: 30707679 DOI: 10.1530/joe-18-0676] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2018] [Accepted: 02/01/2019] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
The concept emerging from Professor David Barker’s seminal research on the developmental origins of later-life disease has progressed in many directions since it was first published. One critical question being when during gestation might environment alter the developmental programme with such enduring consequences. Here, we review the growing consensus from clinical and animal research that the period around conception, embracing gamete maturation and early embryogenesis might be the most vulnerable period. We focus on four types of environmental exposure shown to modify periconceptional reproduction and offspring development and health: maternal overnutrition and obesity; maternal undernutrition; paternal diet and health; and assisted reproductive technology. These conditions may act through diverse epigenetic, cellular and physiological mechanisms to alter gene expression and cellular signalling and function in the conceptus affecting offspring growth and metabolism leading to increased risk for cardiometabolic and neurological disease in later life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miguel A Velazquez
- School of Natural and Environmental Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
| | - Tom P Fleming
- Biological Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
| | - Adam J Watkins
- Division of Child Health, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
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Hattori H, Hiura H, Kitamura A, Miyauchi N, Kobayashi N, Takahashi S, Okae H, Kyono K, Kagami M, Ogata T, Arima T. Association of four imprinting disorders and ART. Clin Epigenetics 2019; 11:21. [PMID: 30732658 PMCID: PMC6367766 DOI: 10.1186/s13148-019-0623-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 98] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2018] [Accepted: 01/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Human-assisted reproductive technologies (ART) are a widely accepted treatment for infertile couples. At the same time, many studies have suggested the correlation between ART and increased incidences of normally rare imprinting disorders such as Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome (BWS), Angelman syndrome (AS), Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS), and Silver-Russell syndrome (SRS). Major methylation dynamics take place during cell development and the preimplantation stages of embryonic development. ART may prevent the proper erasure, establishment, and maintenance of DNA methylation. However, the causes and ART risk factors for these disorders are not well understood. Results A nationwide epidemiological study in Japan in 2015 in which 2777 pediatrics departments were contacted and a total of 931 patients with imprinting disorders including 117 BWS, 227 AS, 520 PWS, and 67 SRS patients, were recruited. We found 4.46- and 8.91-fold increased frequencies of BWS and SRS associated with ART, respectively. Most of these patients were conceived via in vitro fertilization (IVF) and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), and showed aberrant imprinted DNA methylation. We also found that ART-conceived SRS (ART-SRS) patients had incomplete and more widespread DNA methylation variations than spontaneously conceived SRS patients, especially in sperm-specific methylated regions using reduced representation bisulfite sequencing to compare DNA methylomes. In addition, we found that the ART patients with one of three imprinting disorders, PWS, AS, and SRS, displayed additional minor phenotypes and lack of the phenotypes. The frequency of ART-conceived Prader-Willi syndrome (ART-PWS) was 3.44-fold higher than anticipated. When maternal age was 37 years or less, the rate of DNA methylation errors in ART-PWS patients was significantly increased compared with spontaneously conceived PWS patients. Conclusions We reconfirmed the association between ART and imprinting disorders. In addition, we found unique methylation patterns in ART-SRS patients, therefore, concluded that the imprinting disorders related to ART might tend to take place just after fertilization at a time when the epigenome is most vulnerable and might be affected by the techniques of manipulation used for IVF or ICSI and the culture medium of the fertilized egg. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s13148-019-0623-3) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiromitsu Hattori
- Department of Informative Genetics, Environment and Genome Research Center, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, 2-1 Seiryo-cho, Aoba-ku, Sendai, 980-8575, Japan.,Kyono ART Clinic, 1-1-1, Honcho, Aoba-ku, Sendai, 980-0014, Japan
| | - Hitoshi Hiura
- Department of Informative Genetics, Environment and Genome Research Center, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, 2-1 Seiryo-cho, Aoba-ku, Sendai, 980-8575, Japan
| | - Akane Kitamura
- Department of Informative Genetics, Environment and Genome Research Center, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, 2-1 Seiryo-cho, Aoba-ku, Sendai, 980-8575, Japan
| | - Naoko Miyauchi
- Department of Informative Genetics, Environment and Genome Research Center, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, 2-1 Seiryo-cho, Aoba-ku, Sendai, 980-8575, Japan
| | - Norio Kobayashi
- Department of Informative Genetics, Environment and Genome Research Center, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, 2-1 Seiryo-cho, Aoba-ku, Sendai, 980-8575, Japan
| | - Souta Takahashi
- Department of Informative Genetics, Environment and Genome Research Center, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, 2-1 Seiryo-cho, Aoba-ku, Sendai, 980-8575, Japan
| | - Hiroaki Okae
- Department of Informative Genetics, Environment and Genome Research Center, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, 2-1 Seiryo-cho, Aoba-ku, Sendai, 980-8575, Japan
| | - Koichi Kyono
- Kyono ART Clinic, 1-1-1, Honcho, Aoba-ku, Sendai, 980-0014, Japan
| | - Masayo Kagami
- Department of Molecular Endocrinology, National Research Institute for Child Health and Development, 2-10-1 Ohkura, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo, 157-8535, Japan
| | - Tsutomu Ogata
- Department of Pediatrics, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, 1-20-1, Handayama, Higashi-ku, Hamamatsu, 431-3192, Japan
| | - Takahiro Arima
- Department of Informative Genetics, Environment and Genome Research Center, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, 2-1 Seiryo-cho, Aoba-ku, Sendai, 980-8575, Japan.
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Krasnopolskaya KV, Beketova AN, Sesina NI, Сhinchenko NK, Badalyan GV, Sudarikova NM, Bocharova TV, Zakharchenko EO. The effect of short-term disturbance of day 3 embryo culture on the development and implantation. Gynecol Endocrinol 2019; 35:1-4. [PMID: 31532309 DOI: 10.1080/09513590.2019.1632083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022] Open
Abstract
This study is carried out to estimate the effect on embryo development and implantation potential performed by inevitably occurring short-term 3-day embryo culture condition disorders due to light microscopy applied for morphology parameter assay. One thousand two hundred and fifty-three IVF program results were analyzed to measure the pregnancy rate on embryo transfer and the percentage of embryos reached the blastocyst stage. In 58% of cases, on the 3rd day the quality of embryos was not evaluated (n = 730), while in 42% of cases the evaluation was done on day 3 (n = 523). Embryo development estimation on day 3 affects the pregnancy rate and implantation potential especially in patients of older age group. Additional embryo analysis also affects the number of blastocysts obtained. The pregnancy rate for 3rd and 5th day transfer does not differ. Additional analysis of the 3rd day embryos reduces the PR in patients of the older age group. Embryo culture condition variation has a considerable impact on obtained blastocyst number (i.e blastocyst formation) especially in patients of the older age group.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Anastasia Nikolaevna Beketova
- Moscow Regional Research Institute of Obstetrics and Gynecology , Moscow , Russia
- International Clinic "Family" , Moscow , Russia
| | - Nina Igorevna Sesina
- Moscow Regional Research Institute of Obstetrics and Gynecology , Moscow , Russia
- International Clinic "Family" , Moscow , Russia
| | | | | | - Nataliya Mihailovna Sudarikova
- Moscow Regional Research Institute of Obstetrics and Gynecology , Moscow , Russia
- International Clinic "Family" , Moscow , Russia
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46
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Tang Q, Pan F, Yang J, Fu Z, Lu Y, Wu X, Han X, Chen M, Lu C, Xia Y, Wang X, Wu W. Idiopathic male infertility is strongly associated with aberrant DNA methylation of imprinted loci in sperm: a case-control study. Clin Epigenetics 2018; 10:134. [PMID: 30373665 PMCID: PMC6206675 DOI: 10.1186/s13148-018-0568-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2018] [Accepted: 10/14/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Male infertility is a complex disease caused by a combination of genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors. Abnormal epigenetic programming has been proposed as a possible mechanism compromising male fertility. Recent studies suggest that aberrant imprinting in spermatozoa in a subset of infertile men is a risk factor for congenital diseases in children conceived via assisted reproduction techniques. In this study, we examined the DNA methylation status of CpG sites within the differentially methylated regions (DMRs) of three imprinted genes, H19, GNAS, and DIRAS3, using combined bisulfite PCR restriction analysis and bisulfite sequencing in sperm obtained from 135 men with idiopathic male infertility, including normozoospermia (n = 39), moderate oligozoospermia (n = 45), and severe oligozoospermia (n = 51), and fertile controls (n = 59). The percentage of global methylation was compared between fertile controls and infertile patients displaying abnormal DNA methylation status of imprinted loci. Moreover, we also analyzed whether the DNA methyltransferases (DNMTs) polymorphisms impact upon the methylation patterns of imprinted genes in idiopathic infertile males. RESULTS Aberrant methylation patterns of imprinted genes were more prevalent in idiopathic infertile males, especially in patients with oligozoospermia. Infertile males with aberrant methylation patterns of imprinted genes displayed a tendency of lower global methylation levels, although not reaching statistical significance (P = 0.13). In the genotype-epigenotype correlation analysis, no significant association was observed between aberrant methylation patterns of the three imprinted genes and genotypes of the four DNA methyltransferase (DNMT) genes. CONCLUSION We conclude that abnormalities of DMR within imprinted genes may be associated with idiopathic male infertility. Disruption in methylation pattern of the three imprinted genes does not occur in high-risk genotypes of DNMTs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiuqin Tang
- Department of Obstetrics, The Affiliated Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Nanjing, China
| | - Feng Pan
- Department of Urology, The Affiliated Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Nanjing, China
| | - Jing Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Institute of Toxicology, Nanjing Medical University, 101 Longmian Avenue, Nanjing, 211166, China.,Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology of Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Ziqiang Fu
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Institute of Toxicology, Nanjing Medical University, 101 Longmian Avenue, Nanjing, 211166, China.,Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology of Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yiwen Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Institute of Toxicology, Nanjing Medical University, 101 Longmian Avenue, Nanjing, 211166, China.,Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology of Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Xian Wu
- National Toxicology Program Laboratory, Division of the National Toxicology Program, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
| | - Xiumei Han
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Institute of Toxicology, Nanjing Medical University, 101 Longmian Avenue, Nanjing, 211166, China.,Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology of Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Minjian Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Institute of Toxicology, Nanjing Medical University, 101 Longmian Avenue, Nanjing, 211166, China.,Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology of Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Chuncheng Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Institute of Toxicology, Nanjing Medical University, 101 Longmian Avenue, Nanjing, 211166, China.,Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology of Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yankai Xia
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Institute of Toxicology, Nanjing Medical University, 101 Longmian Avenue, Nanjing, 211166, China.,Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology of Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Xinru Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Institute of Toxicology, Nanjing Medical University, 101 Longmian Avenue, Nanjing, 211166, China.,Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology of Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Wei Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Institute of Toxicology, Nanjing Medical University, 101 Longmian Avenue, Nanjing, 211166, China. .,Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology of Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China. .,Department of Health and Human Services, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Research Triangle Park, USA.
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47
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Huntriss J, Balen AH, Sinclair KD, Brison DR, Picton HM. Epigenetics and Reproductive Medicine. BJOG 2018; 125:e43-e54. [DOI: 10.1111/1471-0528.15240] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
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48
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Hanna CW, Demond H, Kelsey G. Epigenetic regulation in development: is the mouse a good model for the human? Hum Reprod Update 2018; 24:556-576. [PMID: 29992283 PMCID: PMC6093373 DOI: 10.1093/humupd/dmy021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 80] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2018] [Revised: 05/20/2018] [Accepted: 06/05/2018] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Over the past few years, advances in molecular technologies have allowed unprecedented mapping of epigenetic modifications in gametes and during early embryonic development. This work is allowing a detailed genomic analysis, which for the first time can answer long-standing questions about epigenetic regulation and reprogramming, and highlights differences between mouse and human, the implications of which are only beginning to be explored. OBJECTIVE AND RATIONALE In this review, we summarise new low-cell molecular methods enabling the interrogation of epigenetic information in gametes and early embryos, the mechanistic insights these have provided, and contrast the findings in mouse and human. SEARCH METHODS Relevant studies were identified by PubMed search. OUTCOMES We discuss the levels of epigenetic regulation, from DNA modifications to chromatin organisation, during mouse gametogenesis, fertilisation and pre- and post-implantation development. The recently characterised features of the oocyte epigenome highlight its exceptionally unique regulatory landscape. The chromatin organisation and epigenetic landscape of both gametic genomes are rapidly reprogrammed after fertilisation. This extensive epigenetic remodelling is necessary for zygotic genome activation, but the mechanistic link remains unclear. While the vast majority of epigenetic information from the gametes is erased in pre-implantation development, new insights suggest that repressive histone modifications from the oocyte may mediate a novel mechanism of imprinting. To date, the characterisation of epigenetics in human development has been almost exclusively limited to DNA methylation profiling; these data reinforce that the global dynamics are conserved between mouse and human. However, as we look closer, it is becoming apparent that the mechanisms regulating these dynamics are distinct. These early findings emphasise the importance of investigations of fundamental epigenetic mechanisms in both mouse and humans. WIDER IMPLICATIONS Failures in epigenetic regulation have been implicated in human disease and infertility. With increasing maternal age and use of reproductive technologies in countries all over the world, it is becoming ever more important to understand the necessary processes required to establish a developmentally competent embryo. Furthermore, it is essential to evaluate the extent to which these epigenetic patterns are sensitive to such technologies and other adverse environmental exposures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Courtney W Hanna
- Epigenetics programme, Babraham Institute, Cambridge, UK
- Centre for Trophoblast Research, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Hannah Demond
- Epigenetics programme, Babraham Institute, Cambridge, UK
| | - Gavin Kelsey
- Epigenetics programme, Babraham Institute, Cambridge, UK
- Centre for Trophoblast Research, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
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49
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Ji M, Wang X, Wu W, Guan Y, Liu J, Wang J, Liu W, Shen C. ART manipulation after controlled ovarian stimulation may not increase the risk of abnormal expression and DNA methylation at some CpG sites of H19,IGF2 and SNRPN in foetuses: a pilot study. Reprod Biol Endocrinol 2018; 16:63. [PMID: 29976200 PMCID: PMC6034287 DOI: 10.1186/s12958-018-0344-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2017] [Accepted: 03/08/2018] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND To examine the effects of IVF, ICSI and FET, as well as in vitro culture, on the safety of offspring, this study was conducted from the perspective of genetic imprinting to investigate whether assisted reproductive technology would influence the parental and maternal imprinting genes. METHODS Eighteen foetuses were collected from multifoetal reduction and divided into 6 groups: multifoetal reduction after IVF fresh transferred D3 embryos (n = 3), multifoetal reduction after IVF frozen transferred D3 embryos (n = 3), multifoetal reduction after IVF frozen transferred D5 embryos (n = 3), multifoetal reduction after ICSI fresh transferred D3 embryos (n = 3), multifoetal reduction after ICSI frozen transferred D3 embryos (n = 3), and multifoetal reduction after controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH) (n = 3). The imprinted genes H19, IGF2 and SNRPN were selected for analysis. The expression and DNA methylation at some CpG sites of H19, IGF2, and SNRPN were examined using real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and pyrosequencing. RESULTS There were no significant differences in the mRNA expression levels among the groups. The mean percentage of H19 methylation (eight CpG sites), IGF2 methylation (five CpG sites) and SNRPN methylation (nine CpG sites) did not differ significantly. CONCLUSIONS The results suggest that ARTs after controlled ovarian stimulation (IVF, ICSI, cryopreservation and duration of in vitro culture) may not increase the risk of abnormal expression and DNA methylation at some CpG sites of H19, IGF2 and SNRPN in foetuses. Further study with strict design, expanded sample size and CpG sites is essential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Menglu Ji
- grid.412719.8Department of Reproductive Medical Center, Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, 7 Kangfuqian Road, Zhengzhou, 450052 Henan People’s Republic of China
| | - Xingling Wang
- grid.412719.8Department of Reproductive Medical Center, Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, 7 Kangfuqian Road, Zhengzhou, 450052 Henan People’s Republic of China
| | - Wenbin Wu
- grid.412719.8Department of Reproductive Medical Center, Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, 7 Kangfuqian Road, Zhengzhou, 450052 Henan People’s Republic of China
| | - Yichun Guan
- grid.412719.8Department of Reproductive Medical Center, Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, 7 Kangfuqian Road, Zhengzhou, 450052 Henan People’s Republic of China
| | - Jing Liu
- grid.412719.8Department of Reproductive Medical Center, Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, 7 Kangfuqian Road, Zhengzhou, 450052 Henan People’s Republic of China
| | - Jingyan Wang
- grid.412719.8Department of Reproductive Medical Center, Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, 7 Kangfuqian Road, Zhengzhou, 450052 Henan People’s Republic of China
| | - Wenxia Liu
- grid.412719.8Department of Reproductive Medical Center, Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, 7 Kangfuqian Road, Zhengzhou, 450052 Henan People’s Republic of China
| | - Chunyan Shen
- grid.412719.8Department of Reproductive Medical Center, Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, 7 Kangfuqian Road, Zhengzhou, 450052 Henan People’s Republic of China
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50
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Yang L, Cai S, Zhang S, Kong X, Gu Y, Lu C, Dai J, Gong F, Lu G, Lin G. Single embryo transfer by Day 3 time-lapse selection versus Day 5 conventional morphological selection: a randomized, open-label, non-inferiority trial. Hum Reprod 2018; 33:869-876. [PMID: 29546361 DOI: 10.1093/humrep/dey047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2017] [Accepted: 02/15/2018] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Lanlin Yang
- Institute of Reproductive and Stem Cell Engineering, Basic Medicine College, Central South University, Changsha, China
- Key Laboratory of Reproductive and Stem Cell Engineering, National Health and Family Planning Commission, Changsha, China
| | - Sufen Cai
- Institute of Reproductive and Stem Cell Engineering, Basic Medicine College, Central South University, Changsha, China
- Reproductive and Genetic Hospital of CITIC-XIANGYA, Changsha, China
- Key Laboratory of Reproductive and Stem Cell Engineering, National Health and Family Planning Commission, Changsha, China
| | - Shuoping Zhang
- Institute of Reproductive and Stem Cell Engineering, Basic Medicine College, Central South University, Changsha, China
- Reproductive and Genetic Hospital of CITIC-XIANGYA, Changsha, China
- Key Laboratory of Reproductive and Stem Cell Engineering, National Health and Family Planning Commission, Changsha, China
| | - Xiangyi Kong
- Institute of Reproductive and Stem Cell Engineering, Basic Medicine College, Central South University, Changsha, China
- Key Laboratory of Reproductive and Stem Cell Engineering, National Health and Family Planning Commission, Changsha, China
| | - Yifan Gu
- Institute of Reproductive and Stem Cell Engineering, Basic Medicine College, Central South University, Changsha, China
- Reproductive and Genetic Hospital of CITIC-XIANGYA, Changsha, China
- Key Laboratory of Reproductive and Stem Cell Engineering, National Health and Family Planning Commission, Changsha, China
| | - Changfu Lu
- Institute of Reproductive and Stem Cell Engineering, Basic Medicine College, Central South University, Changsha, China
- Reproductive and Genetic Hospital of CITIC-XIANGYA, Changsha, China
- Key Laboratory of Reproductive and Stem Cell Engineering, National Health and Family Planning Commission, Changsha, China
| | - Jing Dai
- Institute of Reproductive and Stem Cell Engineering, Basic Medicine College, Central South University, Changsha, China
- Key Laboratory of Reproductive and Stem Cell Engineering, National Health and Family Planning Commission, Changsha, China
| | - Fei Gong
- Institute of Reproductive and Stem Cell Engineering, Basic Medicine College, Central South University, Changsha, China
- Reproductive and Genetic Hospital of CITIC-XIANGYA, Changsha, China
- Key Laboratory of Reproductive and Stem Cell Engineering, National Health and Family Planning Commission, Changsha, China
| | - Guangxiu Lu
- Reproductive and Genetic Hospital of CITIC-XIANGYA, Changsha, China
- Key Laboratory of Reproductive and Stem Cell Engineering, National Health and Family Planning Commission, Changsha, China
| | - Ge Lin
- Institute of Reproductive and Stem Cell Engineering, Basic Medicine College, Central South University, Changsha, China
- Reproductive and Genetic Hospital of CITIC-XIANGYA, Changsha, China
- Key Laboratory of Reproductive and Stem Cell Engineering, National Health and Family Planning Commission, Changsha, China
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