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Chen H, Zhang L, Meng L, Liang L, Zhang C. Advantages of vitrification preservation in assisted reproduction and potential influences on imprinted genes. Clin Epigenetics 2022; 14:141. [PMID: 36324168 PMCID: PMC9632035 DOI: 10.1186/s13148-022-01355-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2022] [Accepted: 10/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Cryopreservation has important application in assisted reproductive technology (ART). The vitrification technique has been widely used in the cryopreservation of oocytes and embryos, as a large number of clinical results and experimental studies have shown that vitrification can achieve a higher cell survival rate and preimplantation development rate and better pregnancy outcomes. Ovarian tissue vitrification is an alternative method to slow freezing that causes comparatively less damage to the original follicular DNA. At present, sperm preservation mainly adopts slow freezing or rapid freezing (LN2 vapor method), although the vitrification method can achieve higher sperm motility after warming. However, due to the use of high-concentration cryoprotectants and ultra-rapid cooling, vitrification may cause strong stress to gametes, embryos and tissue cells, resulting in potentially adverse effects. Imprinted genes are regulated by epigenetic modifications, including DNA methylation, and show single allele expression. Their accurate regulation and correct expression are very important for the placenta, fetal development and offspring health. Considering that genome imprinting is very sensitive to changes in the external environment, we comprehensively summarized the effect of cryopreservation—especially the vitrification method in ART—on imprinted genes. Animal studies have found that the vitrification of oocytes and embryos can have a significant impact on some imprinted genes and DNA methylation, but the few studies in humans have reported almost no influence, which need to be further explored. This review provides useful information for the safety assessment and further optimization of the current cryopreservation techniques in ART.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huanhuan Chen
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, People's Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Henan Provincial People's Hospital of Henan University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China.,Henan Joint International Research Laboratory of Reproductive Bioengineering, Zhengzhou, Henan Province, China
| | - Lei Zhang
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, People's Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Henan Provincial People's Hospital of Henan University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China.,Henan Joint International Research Laboratory of Reproductive Bioengineering, Zhengzhou, Henan Province, China
| | - Li Meng
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, People's Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Henan Provincial People's Hospital of Henan University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China.,Henan Joint International Research Laboratory of Reproductive Bioengineering, Zhengzhou, Henan Province, China
| | - Linlin Liang
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, People's Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Henan Provincial People's Hospital of Henan University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China. .,Henan Joint International Research Laboratory of Reproductive Bioengineering, Zhengzhou, Henan Province, China.
| | - Cuilian Zhang
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, People's Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Henan Provincial People's Hospital of Henan University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China. .,Henan Joint International Research Laboratory of Reproductive Bioengineering, Zhengzhou, Henan Province, China.
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Cannarella R, Crafa A, Condorelli RA, Mongioì LM, La Vignera S, Calogero AE. Relevance of sperm imprinted gene methylation on assisted reproductive technique outcomes and pregnancy loss: a systematic review. Syst Biol Reprod Med 2021; 67:251-259. [PMID: 34080930 DOI: 10.1080/19396368.2021.1909667] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Recent evidence suggests that gamete-imprinted genes play a role in embryo and placenta development and growth. This systematic review aimed to evaluate whether altered methylation of sperm-imprinted genes associates with sperm DNA fragmentation (SDF), pregnancy loss rate and assisted reproductive technique (ART) outcome. To accomplish this, Pubmed, MEDLINE, Cochrane, Academic One Files, Google Scholar, and Scopus databases were used for search strategy from each database inception until December 2020. Specific keywords were used. Studies satisfying the PECOS (Population, Exposure, Comparison/Comparator, Outcomes, Study design) model were retrieved. Ten studies could be included in the qualitative analysis. A significant association was reported between increased SDF rate and aberrant methylation of H19/IGF2 and KCNQ1 genes by two studies. A significantly lower H19 methylation was found in patients with idiopathic recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) and in infertile patients compared to fertile men. Methylation of GLT2, PEG1/MEST, and ZAC/PLACL1 were similar in patients with RPL and controls. The ART outcome was similar in patients with aberrant and normal methylation of H19, SNRPN, KCNQ1OT1, PEG1/MEST, LIT1, PEG3, NESPAS, and GLT2. By contrast, a study showed an association between altered GLT2 methylation and more inferior ART results. If further confirmed by well-sized studies, these data might be helpful to identify possible epigenetic predictors of ART outcome. Particularly, aberrant methylation of H19/IGF2 and KCNQ1 genes might represent interesting targets that deserve further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rossella Cannarella
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Andrea Crafa
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Rosita A Condorelli
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Laura M Mongioì
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Sandro La Vignera
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Aldo E Calogero
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
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