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Kimmins S, Anderson RA, Barratt CLR, Behre HM, Catford SR, De Jonge CJ, Delbes G, Eisenberg ML, Garrido N, Houston BJ, Jørgensen N, Krausz C, Lismer A, McLachlan RI, Minhas S, Moss T, Pacey A, Priskorn L, Schlatt S, Trasler J, Trasande L, Tüttelmann F, Vazquez-Levin MH, Veltman JA, Zhang F, O'Bryan MK. Frequency, morbidity and equity - the case for increased research on male fertility. Nat Rev Urol 2024; 21:102-124. [PMID: 37828407 DOI: 10.1038/s41585-023-00820-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/31/2023] [Indexed: 10/14/2023]
Abstract
Currently, most men with infertility cannot be given an aetiology, which reflects a lack of knowledge around gamete production and how it is affected by genetics and the environment. A failure to recognize the burden of male infertility and its potential as a biomarker for systemic illness exists. The absence of such knowledge results in patients generally being treated as a uniform group, for whom the strategy is to bypass the causality using medically assisted reproduction (MAR) techniques. In doing so, opportunities to prevent co-morbidity are missed and the burden of MAR is shifted to the woman. To advance understanding of men's reproductive health, longitudinal and multi-national centres for data and sample collection are essential. Such programmes must enable an integrated view of the consequences of genetics, epigenetics and environmental factors on fertility and offspring health. Definition and possible amelioration of the consequences of MAR for conceived children are needed. Inherent in this statement is the necessity to promote fertility restoration and/or use the least invasive MAR strategy available. To achieve this aim, protocols must be rigorously tested and the move towards personalized medicine encouraged. Equally, education of the public, governments and clinicians on the frequency and consequences of infertility is needed. Health options, including male contraceptives, must be expanded, and the opportunities encompassed in such investment understood. The pressing questions related to male reproductive health, spanning the spectrum of andrology are identified in the Expert Recommendation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Kimmins
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Faculty of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- The Centre de Recherche du Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- The Département de Pathologie et Biologie Cellulaire, Université de Montréal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Richard A Anderson
- MRC Centre for Reproductive Health, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Christopher L R Barratt
- Division of Systems Medicine, School of Medicine, Ninewells Hospital and Medical School, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK
| | - Hermann M Behre
- Center for Reproductive Medicine and Andrology, University Hospital, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, Germany
| | - Sarah R Catford
- Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, The Royal Women's Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | | | - Geraldine Delbes
- Institut National de la Recherche Scientifique, Centre Armand-Frappier Sante Biotechnologie, Laval, Quebec, Canada
| | - Michael L Eisenberg
- Department of Urology and Obstetrics and Gynecology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Nicolas Garrido
- IVI Foundation, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria La Fe, Valencia, Spain
| | - Brendan J Houston
- School of BioSciences and Bio21 Institute, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Niels Jørgensen
- Department of Growth and Reproduction, International Center for Research and Research Training in Endocrine Disruption of Male Reproduction and Child Health, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Csilla Krausz
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences, 'Mario Serio', University of Florence, University Hospital of Careggi Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Ariane Lismer
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Faculty of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Robert I McLachlan
- Hudson Institute of Medical Research and the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
- Monash IVF Group, Richmond, Victoria, Australia
| | - Suks Minhas
- Department of Surgery and Cancer Imperial, London, UK
| | - Tim Moss
- Healthy Male and the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Allan Pacey
- Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Lærke Priskorn
- Department of Growth and Reproduction, International Center for Research and Research Training in Endocrine Disruption of Male Reproduction and Child Health, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Stefan Schlatt
- Centre for Reproductive Medicine and Andrology, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Jacquetta Trasler
- Departments of Paediatrics, Human Genetics and Pharmacology & Therapeutics, McGill University and Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Leonardo Trasande
- Center for the Investigation of Environmental Hazards, Department of Paediatrics, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Frank Tüttelmann
- Institute of Reproductive Genetics, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Mónica Hebe Vazquez-Levin
- Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas de Argentina, Fundación IBYME, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Joris A Veltman
- Biosciences Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Feng Zhang
- Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Institute of Reproduction and Development, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Moira K O'Bryan
- School of BioSciences and Bio21 Institute, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Melbourne, Australia.
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Schaub AM, Gonzalez TL, Dorfman AE, Novoa AG, Hussaini RA, Harakuni PM, Khan MH, Shabani BJ, Swarna A, Wang ET, Chan JL, Williams J, Pisarska MD. A systematic review of genome-wide analyses of methylation changes associated with assisted reproductive technologies in various tissues. Fertil Steril 2024; 121:80-94. [PMID: 37827482 DOI: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2023.10.007] [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: 06/02/2023] [Revised: 09/29/2023] [Accepted: 10/01/2023] [Indexed: 10/14/2023]
Abstract
IMPORTANCE Because analytic technologies improve, increasing amounts of data on methylation differences between assisted reproductive technology (ART) and unassisted conceptions are available. However, various studies use different tissue types and different populations in their analyses, making data comparison and integration difficult. OBJECTIVE To compare and integrate data on genome-wide analyses of methylation differences due to ART, allowing exposure of overarching themes. EVIDENCE REVIEW All studies undertaking genome-wide analysis of human methylation differences due to ART or infertility in any tissue type across the lifespan were assessed for inclusion. FINDINGS Seventeen studies were identified that met the inclusion criteria. One study assessed trophectoderm biopsies, 2 first-trimester placenta, 1 first-trimester fetal tissue, 2 term placenta, 7 cord blood, 3 newborn dried blood spots, 1 childhood buccal smears, 1 childhood peripheral blood, and 2 adult peripheral blood. Eleven studies compared tissues from in vitro fertilization (IVF) conceptions with those of unassisted conceptions, 4 compared intracytoplasmic sperm injection with unassisted conceptions, 4 compared non-IVF fertility treatment (NIFT) with unassisted conceptions, 4 compared NIFT with IVF, and 5 compared an infertile population (conceiving via various methods) with an unassisted presumably fertile population. In studies assessing placental tissue, 1 gene with potential methylation changes due to IVF when compared with unassisted conceptions was identified by 2 studies. In blood, 11 potential genes with methylation changes due to IVF compared with unassisted conceptions were identified by 2 studies, 1 of which was identified by 3 studies. Three potentially affected genes were identified by 2 studies involving blood between intracytoplasmic sperm injection and unassisted populations. There were no overlapping genes identified in any tissue type between NIFT and unassisted populations, between NIFT and IVF, or the infertility combined population when compared with the unassisted fertile population. CONCLUSIONS Comparing studies is challenging due to differing variables between analyses. However, even in similar tissue types and populations, overlapping methylation changes are limited, suggesting that differences due to ART are minimal. RELEVANCE Information from this systematic review is significant for providers and patients who provide and use ART to understand methylation risks that may be associated with the technology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amelia M Schaub
- Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Cedars Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California
| | - Tania L Gonzalez
- Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Cedars Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California
| | - Anna E Dorfman
- Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Cedars Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California
| | - Allynson G Novoa
- Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Cedars Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California
| | - Rimsha A Hussaini
- Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Cedars Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California
| | - Paige M Harakuni
- Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Cedars Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California
| | - Mayaal H Khan
- Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Cedars Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California
| | - Brandon J Shabani
- Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Cedars Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California
| | - Akhila Swarna
- Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Cedars Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California
| | - Erica T Wang
- Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Cedars Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California
| | - Jessica L Chan
- Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Cedars Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California
| | - John Williams
- Division of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Cedars Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California; David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, California
| | - Margareta D Pisarska
- Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Cedars Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California; David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, California.
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Okada T, Penn A, St John JC. Mitochondrial DNA Supplementation of Oocytes Has Downstream Effects on the Transcriptional Profiles of Sus scrofa Adult Tissues with High mtDNA Copy Number. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24087545. [PMID: 37108708 PMCID: PMC10140937 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24087545] [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: 02/16/2023] [Revised: 04/13/2023] [Accepted: 04/17/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Oocytes can be supplemented with extra copies of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) to enhance developmental outcome. Pigs generated through supplementation with mtDNA derived from either sister (autologous) or third-party (heterologous) oocytes have been shown to exhibit only minor differences in growth, physiological and biochemical assessments, and health and well-being do not appear affected. However, it remains to be determined whether changes in gene expression identified during preimplantation development persisted and affected the gene expression of adult tissues indicative of high mtDNA copy number. It is also unknown if autologous and heterologous mtDNA supplementation resulted in different patterns of gene expression. Our transcriptome analyses revealed that genes involved in immune response and glyoxylate metabolism were commonly affected in brain, heart and liver tissues by mtDNA supplementation. The source of mtDNA influenced the expression of genes associated with oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS), suggesting a link between the use of third-party mtDNA and OXPHOS. We observed a significant difference in parental allele-specific imprinted gene expression in mtDNA-supplemented-derived pigs, with shifts to biallelic expression with no effect on expression levels. Overall, mtDNA supplementation influences the expression of genes in important biological processes in adult tissues. Consequently, it is important to determine the effect of these changes on animal development and health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takashi Okada
- Mitochondrial Genetics Group, School of Biomedicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia
| | - Alexander Penn
- Mitochondrial Genetics Group, School of Biomedicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia
| | - Justin C St John
- Mitochondrial Genetics Group, School of Biomedicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia
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Lafontaine S, Labrecque R, Blondin P, Cue RI, Sirard MA. Comparison of cattle derived from in vitro fertilization, multiple ovulation embryo transfer, and artificial insemination for milk production and fertility traits. J Dairy Sci 2023; 106:4380-4396. [PMID: 37028966 DOI: 10.3168/jds.2022-22736] [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: 09/06/2022] [Accepted: 12/19/2022] [Indexed: 04/09/2023]
Abstract
The use of assisted-reproduction technologies such as in vitro fertilization (IVF) is increasing, particularly in dairy cattle. The question of consequences in later life has not yet been directly addressed by studies on large animal populations. Studies on rodents and early data from humans and cattle suggest that in vitro manipulation of gametes and embryos could result in long-term alteration of metabolism, growth, and fertility. Our goal was to better describe these presumed consequences in the population of dairy cows produced by IVF in Québec (Canada) and to compare them to animals conceived by artificial insemination (AI) or multiple ovulation embryo transfer (MOET). To do so, we leveraged a large phenotypic database (2.5 million animals and 4.5 million lactations) from milk records in Québec aggregated by Lactanet (Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue, QC, Canada) and spanning 2012 to 2019. We identified 304,163, 12,993, and 732 cows conceived by AI, MOET, and IVF, respectively, for a total of 317,888 Holstein animals from which we retrieved information for 576,448, 24,192, and 1,299 lactations (total = 601,939), respectively. Genetic energy-corrected milk yield (GECM) and Lifetime Performance Index (LPI) of the parents of cows were used to normalize for genetic potential across animals. When compared with the general Holstein population, MOET and IVF cows outperformed AI cows. However, when comparing those same MOET and IVF cows with only herdmates and accounting for their higher GECM in the models, we found no statistical difference between the conception methods for milk production across the first 3 lactations. We also found that the rate of Lifetime Performance Index improvement of the IVF population during the 2012 to 2019 period was less than the rate observed in the AI population. Fertility analysis revealed that MOET and IVF cows also scored 1 point lower than their parents on the daughter fertility index and had a longer interval from first service to conception, with an average of 35.52 d compared with 32.45 for MOET and 31.87 for AI animals. These results highlight the challenges of elite genetic improvement while attesting to the progress the industry has made in minimizing epigenetic disturbance during embryo production. Nonetheless, additional work is required to ensure that IVF animals can maintain their performance and fertility potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simon Lafontaine
- Centre de recherche en reproduction, développement et santé intergénérationnelle (CRDSI), Département des Sciences Animales, Faculté des sciences de l'agriculture et de l'alimentation, Université Laval, Québec, QC G1K 7P4, Canada
| | - Rémi Labrecque
- SEMEX Boviteq, 3450 Rue Sicotte, Saint-Hyacinthe, QC J2S 2M2, Canada
| | - Patrick Blondin
- SEMEX Boviteq, 3450 Rue Sicotte, Saint-Hyacinthe, QC J2S 2M2, Canada
| | - Roger I Cue
- Department of Animal Science, McGill University, Montréal, QC H9X 3V9, Canada
| | - Marc-André Sirard
- Centre de recherche en reproduction, développement et santé intergénérationnelle (CRDSI), Département des Sciences Animales, Faculté des sciences de l'agriculture et de l'alimentation, Université Laval, Québec, QC G1K 7P4, Canada.
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5
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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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6
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Mitochondrial DNA Deficiency and Supplementation in Sus scrofa Oocytes Influence Transcriptome Profiles in Oocytes and Blastocysts. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24043783. [PMID: 36835193 PMCID: PMC9963854 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24043783] [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: 01/25/2023] [Revised: 02/08/2023] [Accepted: 02/09/2023] [Indexed: 02/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) deficiency correlates with poor oocyte quality and fertilisation failure. However, the supplementation of mtDNA deficient oocytes with extra copies of mtDNA improves fertilisation rates and embryo development. The molecular mechanisms associated with oocyte developmental incompetence, and the effects of mtDNA supplementation on embryo development are largely unknown. We investigated the association between the developmental competence of Sus scrofa oocytes, assessed with Brilliant Cresyl Blue, and transcriptome profiles. We also analysed the effects of mtDNA supplementation on the developmental transition from the oocyte to the blastocyst by longitudinal transcriptome analysis. mtDNA deficient oocytes revealed downregulation of genes associated with RNA metabolism and oxidative phosphorylation, including 56 small nucleolar RNA genes and 13 mtDNA protein coding genes. We also identified the downregulation of a large subset of genes for meiotic and mitotic cell cycle process, suggesting that developmental competence affects the completion of meiosis II and first embryonic cell division. The supplementation of oocytes with mtDNA in combination with fertilisation improves the maintenance of the expression of several key developmental genes and the patterns of parental allele-specific imprinting gene expression in blastocysts. These results suggest associations between mtDNA deficiency and meiotic cell cycle and the developmental effects of mtDNA supplementation on Sus scrofa blastocysts.
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Basak S, Duttaroy AK. Maternal PUFAs, Placental Epigenetics, and Their Relevance to Fetal Growth and Brain Development. Reprod Sci 2023; 30:408-427. [PMID: 35676498 DOI: 10.1007/s43032-022-00989-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2022] [Accepted: 05/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Dietary polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), especially omega-3 (n-3) and n-6 long-chain (LC) PUFAs, are indispensable for the fetus' brain supplied by the placenta. Despite being highly unsaturated, n-3 LCPUFA-docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) plays a protective role as an antioxidant in the brain. Deficiency of DHA during fetal development may cause irreversible damages in neurodevelopment programming. Dietary PUFAs can impact placental structure and functions by regulating early placentation processes, such as angiogenesis. They promote remodeling of uteroplacental architecture to facilitate increased blood flow and surface area for nutrient exchange. The placenta's fatty acid transfer depends on the uteroplacental vascular development, ensuring adequate maternal circulatory fatty acids transport to fulfill the fetus' rapid growth and development requirements. Maternal n-3 PUFA deficiency predominantly leads to placental epigenetic changes than other fetal developing organs. A global shift in DNA methylation possibly transmits epigenetic instability in developing fetuses due to n-3 PUFA deficiency. Thus, an optimal level of maternal omega-3 (n-3) PUFAs may protect the placenta's structural and functional integrity and allow fetal growth by controlling the aberrant placental epigenetic changes. This narrative review summarizes the recent advances and underpins the roles of maternal PUFAs on the structure and functions of the placenta and their relevance to fetal growth and brain development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sanjay Basak
- Molecular Biology Division, ICMR-National Institute of Nutrition, Indian Council of Medical Research, Hyderabad, India.
| | - Asim K Duttaroy
- Department of Nutrition, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
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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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Tolani AT, Cedars MI, Zablotska LB, Rinaudo PF. Metabolomic Profile of Children Conceived With Medically Assisted Technologies. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2023; 108:315-322. [PMID: 36214833 DOI: 10.1210/clinem/dgac589] [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] [Received: 08/05/2022] [Revised: 10/05/2022] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
CONTEXT Assisted reproductive technologies (ART) and non-in vitro fertilization fertility treatments (NIFT) are treatments for infertility. These technologies may have long-term health effects in children such as increased hypertension, glucose intolerance, and hypertriglyceridemia. Few studies have compared children born following ART and NIFT to those conceived spontaneously by subfertile couples. OBJECTIVE This work aimed to describe metabolic differences in children conceived by ART and NIFT compared to children conceived spontaneously by infertile couples. METHODS Children conceived by parent(s) receiving infertility care at the University of California, San Francisco, between 2000 and 2017 were invited to participate in the Developmental Epidemiological Study of Children born through Reproductive Technology (DESCRT). Serum metabolomic analyses were conducted using samples from 143 enrolled children (age range 4-12 years, 43% female) conceived using NIFT or ART (with fresh or frozen embryos with and without intracytoplasmic sperm injection [ICSI]) and children conceived spontaneously by subfertile couples. Principal component analysis and multivariable regression were used to compare the distribution of metabolites between groups. RESULTS There was no separation in metabolites based on treatment or sex. NIFT-conceived children showed no differences compared to spontaneously conceived controls. Only spontaneously conceived children had different metabolomics profiles from children conceived from fresh ART, frozen ART, and all ICSI. Pantoate and propionylglycine levels were elevated in fresh ART compared to the spontaneous group (P < .001). Propionylglycine levels were elevated in the ICSI (both fresh and frozen) vs the spontaneous group (P < .001). Finally, 5-oxoproline levels were decreased in frozen ART compared to the spontaneous group (P < .001). CONCLUSION NIFT-conceived children did not show any metabolic differences compared with spontaneously conceived children. The metabolic differences between ART-conceived children and children conceived spontaneously were small but unlikely to be clinically significant but should be examined in future studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alisha T Tolani
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, California 94158, USA
| | - Marcelle I Cedars
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, California 94158, USA
| | - Lydia B Zablotska
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of California, San Francisco, California 94158, USA
| | - Paolo F Rinaudo
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, California 94158, USA
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Ding Q, Wang Y, Suo L, Niu Y, Zhao D, Yu Y, Wei D. The gestational age-specific difference in birthweight between singletons born after fresh and frozen embryo transfer: A cohort study. Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand 2023; 102:323-333. [PMID: 36629121 PMCID: PMC9951305 DOI: 10.1111/aogs.14503] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2022] [Revised: 11/20/2022] [Accepted: 12/16/2022] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Accumulating studies have suggested singletons born after frozen embryo transfer (FET) were higher than those born after fresh embryo transfer (Fre-ET). However, fewer studies had investigated the gestational age-specific between-group difference in birthweight. This study aimed to investigate the gestational week-specific difference in singleton birthweight after FET vs Fre-ET and explore potential factors that impact the difference. MATERIAL AND METHODS In this retrospective cohort study, a total of 25 863 singletons were included. Multivariable linear regression and logistic regression were used to evaluate the between-group differences in mean birthweight and the incidences of large for gestational age (LGA) and small for gestational age (SGA), respectively. RESULTS Multivariable regression analyses showed a statistically significant interaction between types of embryo transfer (ie FET vs Fre-ET) and the gestational week on mean birthweight (P < 0.001) and on the risks of large for gestational age (P = 0.001) and small for gestational age (P < 0.001). When stratified by gestational week, the differences in mean birthweight and the risks of LGA and SGA were only observed in singletons born at 37 gestational weeks or later. After adjusting for confounders, full-term but not preterm singletons born after FET had a higher birthweight (3497.58 ± 439.73 g vs 3445.67 ± 450.24 g; adjusted mean difference 58.35 g; 95% confidence interval [CI] 38.72-77.98 g), a higher risk of LGA (24.3% vs 21.1%; adjusted odds ratio [OR] 1.28, 95% CI 1.15-1.42) and a lower risk of SGA (3.1% vs 4.8%; adjusted OR 0.61, 95% CI 0.53-0.70) compared with those born after Fre-ET. CONCLUSIONS The differences in birthweight between FET and Fre-ET were observed in full-term singletons but not preterm singletons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiaoqiao Ding
- Center for Reproductive MedicineShandong UniversityJinanChina,The Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology of Ministry of EducationJinanChina
| | - Yuhuan Wang
- Center for Reproductive MedicineShandong UniversityJinanChina,The Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology of Ministry of EducationJinanChina
| | - Lu Suo
- Center for Reproductive MedicineShandong UniversityJinanChina,The Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology of Ministry of EducationJinanChina
| | - Yue Niu
- Center for Reproductive MedicineShandong UniversityJinanChina,The Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology of Ministry of EducationJinanChina
| | - Dingying Zhao
- Center for Reproductive MedicineShandong UniversityJinanChina,The Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology of Ministry of EducationJinanChina
| | - Yunhai Yu
- Department of Obstetrics and GynecologyThe Second Hospital of Shandong UniversityJinanChina
| | - Daimin Wei
- Center for Reproductive MedicineShandong UniversityJinanChina,The Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology of Ministry of EducationJinanChina
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Sermondade N, Hesters L, De Mouzon J, Devaux A, Epelboin S, Fauque P, Gervoise-Boyer MJ, Labrosse J, Viot G, Bergère M, Devienne C, Jonveaux P, Levy R, Pessione F. Fetal growth disorders following medically assisted reproduction: due to maternal context or techniques? A national French cohort study. Reprod Biomed Online 2023; 46:739-749. [PMID: 36906455 DOI: 10.1016/j.rbmo.2023.01.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2022] [Revised: 12/08/2022] [Accepted: 01/05/2023] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
RESEARCH QUESTION What part do maternal context and medically assisted reproduction (MAR) techniques play in the risk of fetal growth disorders? DESIGN This retrospective nationwide cohort study uses data available in the French National Health System database and focuses on the period from 2013 to 2017. Fetal growth disorders were divided into four groups according to the origin of pregnancy: fresh embryo transfer (n = 45,201), frozen embryo transfer (FET, n = 18,845), intrauterine insemination (IUI, n = 20,179) and natural conceptions (n = 3,412,868). Fetal growth disorders were defined from the percentiles of the weight distribution according to gestational age and sex: small and large for gestational age (SGA and LGA) if <10th and >90th percentiles, respectively. Analyses were performed using univariate and multivariate logistic models. RESULTS Compared with births following natural conception, multivariate analysis showed that the risk of SGA was higher for births following fresh embryo transfer and IUI (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 1.26 [1.22-1.29] and 1.08 [1.03-1.12], respectively) and significantly lower following FET (aOR 0.79 [0.75-0.83]). The risk of LGA was higher for births following FET (aOR 1.32 [1.27-1.38]), especially in artificial cycles when compared with ovulatory cycles (aOR 1.25 [1.15-1.36]). In the subgroup of births without any obstetrical or neonatal morbidity, the same increased risk of SGA and LGA were observed following fresh embryo transfer or IUI and FET (aOR 1.23 [1.19-1.27] or 1.06 [1.01-1.11] and aOR 1.36 [1.30-1.43], respectively). CONCLUSIONS An effect of MAR techniques on the risks for SGA and LGA is suggested independently from maternal context and obstetrical or neonatal morbidities. Pathophysiological mechanisms remain poorly understood and should be further evaluated, as well as the influence of embryonic stage and freezing techniques.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathalie Sermondade
- Department of Reproductive Biology, Hôpital Tenon, Hôpitaux Universitaires Est Parisien, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Paris, France.
| | - Laetitia Hesters
- Department of Reproductive Biology, Hôpital Antoine Béclère, Hôpitaux Universitaires Paris-Sud, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Clamart, France
| | | | - Aviva Devaux
- Department of Reproductive Biology, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire, Amiens, France
| | - Sylvie Epelboin
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, Gynecology and Obstetrics, Hôpital Bichat-Claude Bernard, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris Nord, Université de Paris, Paris, France
| | - Patricia Fauque
- Université Bourgogne Franche-Comté-INSERM UMR1231, Dijon, France
| | | | - Julie Labrosse
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, Gynecology and Obstetrics, Hôpital Bichat-Claude Bernard, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris Nord, Université de Paris, Paris, France
| | | | | | | | | | - Rachel Levy
- Department of Reproductive Biology, Hôpital Tenon, Hôpitaux Universitaires Est Parisien, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Paris, France
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12
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Reply to Ducreux, B.; Fauque, P. Comment on "Cannarella et al. DNA Methylation in Offspring Conceived after Assisted Reproductive Techniques: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. J. Clin. Med. 2022, 11, 5056". J Clin Med 2022; 12:jcm12010254. [PMID: 36615055 PMCID: PMC9821114 DOI: 10.3390/jcm12010254] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2022] [Revised: 12/13/2022] [Accepted: 12/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
We thank our French colleagues for commenting [...].
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Ducreux B, Fauque P. Comment on Cannarella et al. DNA Methylation in Offspring Conceived after Assisted Reproductive Techniques: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. J. Clin. Med. 2022, 11, 5056. J Clin Med 2022; 11:jcm11236908. [PMID: 36498483 PMCID: PMC9738207 DOI: 10.3390/jcm11236908] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2022] [Accepted: 11/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
We read the study by Cannarella et al. [...].
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Affiliation(s)
- Bastien Ducreux
- Université Bourgogne Franche-Comté-Equipe Génétique des Anomalies du Développement (GAD) INSERM UMR1231, 2 Rue Angélique Ducoudray, F-21000 Dijon, France
| | - Patricia Fauque
- Université Bourgogne Franche-Comté-Equipe Génétique des Anomalies du Développement (GAD) INSERM UMR1231, 2 Rue Angélique Ducoudray, F-21000 Dijon, France
- CHU Dijon Bourgogne, Laboratoire de Biologie de la Reproduction-CECOS, 14 rue Gaffarel, F-21000 Dijon, France
- Correspondence:
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14
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Terho AM, Tiitinen A, Martikainen H, Gissler M, Pelkonen S. Health of singletons born after frozen embryo transfer until early adulthood: a Finnish register study. Hum Reprod 2022; 37:2899-2907. [PMID: 36166701 PMCID: PMC9712944 DOI: 10.1093/humrep/deac211] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2022] [Revised: 08/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
STUDY QUESTION Is the health of singletons born after frozen embryo transfer (FET) comparable to that of singletons born after fresh embryo transfer (ET) until early adulthood? SUMMARY ANSWER The health of singletons born after FET does not differ from that of singletons born after fresh ET. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY The differences in perinatal outcomes of children born after FET and fresh ET are well known. FET is associated with an increased risk of large-for-gestational-age but diminished risks of preterm birth (PTB), small-for-gestational-age and decreased perinatal mortality compared to fresh ET. However, knowledge on the long-term health after FET is scarce. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION This retrospective register-based cohort study compares singletons born after FET (n = 1825) between the years 1995 and 2006 to those born after fresh ET (n = 2933) and natural conception (NC, n = 31 136) with a mean follow-up time of 18-20 years. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS Singletons born after FET were compared to those born after fresh ET and NC regarding the frequencies of diagnoses in the main ICD-10 chapters (International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems, 10th revision), the number of outpatient visits and hospital admissions, and mortality. Adjustments were made for PTB, maternal age, parity, socioeconomic status based on mother's occupation and offspring sex. The study combines data from the Finnish Medical Birth Register, the Finnish Care Register for Health Care (CRHC) and the Cause-of-Death Register at Statistics Finland. The Student's T-test was used for continuous variables, and the Chi-square test was used for categorical variables. Cox regression was used to estimate crude and adjusted hazard ratios (HRs and aHRs, respectively). A general linear model was used to compare the means of outpatient visits, hospital admissions and lengths of hospital stays per person. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE No significant differences between the FET and fresh ET groups were found in the frequency of diagnoses in any of the ICD-10 chapters or in the parameters describing the need for hospital care. However, compared to the NC group, higher proportions in the FET group had outpatient visits in the hospital (93.5% vs 92.2%, aHR 1.23, 95% CI 1.17, 1.30) or hospital admissions (48% vs 46.5%, aHR 1.28, 95% CI 1.19, 1.37). Compared to the NC group, the FET group had elevated adjusted risks of diagnoses of infectious and parasitic diseases (aHR 1.24; 95% CI 1.11, 1.38), neoplasms (aHR 1.68; 95% CI 1.48, 1.91), diseases of the eye and adnexa, the ear or mastoid process (aHR 1.11; 95% CI 1.01, 1.21), the respiratory system (aHR 1.15; 95% CI 1.06, 1.23), the digestive system (aHR 1.17; 95% CI 1.05, 1.32), the skin or subcutaneous tissue (aHR 1.28; 95% CI 1.14, 1.43) and the genitourinary system (aHR 1.27; 95% CI 1.11, 1.45), as well as congenital malformations or chromosomal abnormalities (aHR 1.31; 95% CI 1.14, 1.50) and symptoms, signs or abnormal clinical or laboratory findings (aHR 1.25, 95% CI 1.16, 1.34). LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION Only hospital-based inpatient and outpatient care is covered by the CRHC register, excluding milder cases diagnosed elsewhere. We were not able to study the effect of ART treatments and subfertility separately in our setting. In addition, although our cohort is reasonably sized, even larger cohorts would be needed to reliably study rare outcomes, such as cancer. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS For many ICD-10 chapters, we present the first published data on the long-term outcome of singletons born after FET. The results on FET versus fresh ET are reassuring, whereas the results on FET versus NC warrant further investigation. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S) Finnish government research funding was obtained for this study. Funding was also obtained from the Finnish Medical Society Duodecim, the Päivikki and Sakari Sohlberg Foundation, Orion Research Foundation, Finnish Society of Obstetrics and Gynaecology (research grants to A.M.T.) and Finnish government research funding. The funding sources were not involved in the planning or execution of the study. The authors have no competing interests to declare. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER N/A.
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Affiliation(s)
- A M Terho
- Correspondence address. Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Oulu University Hospital, OYS, PL 23, 90029 Oulu, Finland. E-mail:
| | - A Tiitinen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Helsinki University Hospital and University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - H Martikainen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, PEDEGO Research Unit & Medical Research Center Oulu, Oulu University Hospital, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland
| | - M Gissler
- Information Services Department, Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, Helsinki, Finland,Department of Neurobiology, Care Science and Society, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - S Pelkonen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, PEDEGO Research Unit & Medical Research Center Oulu, Oulu University Hospital, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland
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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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Menezo Y, Elder K, Clement P, Clement A, Patrizio P. Biochemical Hazards during Three Phases of Assisted Reproductive Technology: Repercussions Associated with Epigenesis and Imprinting. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23168916. [PMID: 36012172 PMCID: PMC9408922 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23168916] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2022] [Revised: 08/07/2022] [Accepted: 08/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Medically assisted reproduction, now considered a routine, successful treatment for infertility worldwide, has produced at least 8 million live births. However, a growing body of evidence is pointing toward an increased incidence of epigenetic/imprinting disorders in the offspring, raising concern that the techniques involved may have an impact on crucial stages of early embryo and fetal development highly vulnerable to epigenetic influence. In this paper, the key role of methylation processes in epigenesis, namely the essential biochemical/metabolic pathways involving folates and one-carbon cycles necessary for correct DNA/histone methylation, is discussed. Furthermore, potential contributors to epigenetics dysregulation during the three phases of assisted reproduction: preparation for and controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH); methylation processes during the preimplantation embryo culture stages; the effects of unmetabolized folic acid (UMFA) during embryogenesis on imprinting methyl “tags”, are described. Advances in technology have opened a window into developmental processes that were previously inaccessible to research: it is now clear that ART procedures have the potential to influence DNA methylation in embryonic and fetal life, with an impact on health and disease risk in future generations. Critical re-evaluation of protocols and procedures is now an urgent priority, with a focus on interventions targeted toward improving ART procedures, with special attention to in vitro culture protocols and the effects of excessive folic acid intake.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yves Menezo
- Laboratoire Clément, 17 Avenue d’Eylau, 75016 Paris, France
- Correspondence:
| | - Kay Elder
- Bourn Hall Clinic, Cambridge CB1 0BE, UK
| | | | - Arthur Clement
- Laboratoire Clément, 17 Avenue d’Eylau, 75016 Paris, France
| | - Pasquale Patrizio
- Reproductive Endocrinology & Infertility, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL 33136, USA
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Schroeder M, Badini G, Sferruzzi-Perri AN, Albrecht C. The Consequences of Assisted Reproduction Technologies on the Offspring Health Throughout Life: A Placental Contribution. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:906240. [PMID: 35747691 PMCID: PMC9210138 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.906240] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2022] [Accepted: 05/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The use of assisted reproductive technologies (ART) worldwide has led to the conception and birth of over eight million babies since being implemented in 1978. ART use is currently on the rise, given growing infertility and the increase in conception age among men and women in industrialized countries. Though obstetric and perinatal outcomes have improved over the years, pregnancies achieved by ART still bear increased risks for the mother and the unborn child. Moreover, given that the first generation of ART offspring is now only reaching their forties, the long-term effects of ART are currently unknown. This is important, as there is a wealth of data showing that life-long health can be predetermined by poor conditions during intrauterine development, including irregularities in the structure and functioning of the placenta. In the current review, we aim to summarize the latest available findings examining the effects of ART on the cardiometabolic, cognitive/neurodevelopmental, and behavioral outcomes in the perinatal period, childhood and adolescence/adulthood; and to examine placental intrinsic factors that may contribute to the developmental outcomes of ART offspring. Altogether, the latest knowledge about life outcomes beyond adolescence for those conceived by ART appears to suggest a better long-term outcome than previously predicted. There are also changes in placenta structure and functional capacity with ART. However, more work in this area is critically required, since the potential consequences of ART may still emerge as the offspring gets older. In addition, knowledge of the placenta may help to foresee and mitigate any adverse outcomes in the offspring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariana Schroeder
- Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Gina Badini
- Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Amanda N Sferruzzi-Perri
- Centre for Trophoblast Research, Department of Physiology, Development, and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Christiane Albrecht
- Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
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Kallianidis K, Dimitroulia E, Mavrogianni D, Liokari E, Bletsa R, Anagnostou E, Sofikitis N, Loutradis D. Comparison of the Fetal Fraction of Cell-Free DNA in In-Vitro Fertilization (IVF) Versus Natural Conception Evaluation of the Fetal Fraction With IVF Parameters. Cureus 2022; 14:e24516. [PMID: 35651460 PMCID: PMC9136190 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.24516] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Background As the offspring of assisted reproduction techniques (ARTs) have become a substantial proportion of the population, increased attention has been placed on the safety of ART. Investigators have focused on identifying a tool that combines molecular or biological tests that can predict the outcomes of in-vitro fertilization (IVF) or intracytoplasmic sperm injection and the resulting pregnancy after ART-mediated embryo implantation. This study aimed to answer the following questions: is there a difference between natural conception and IVF pregnancies regarding fetal fraction (FF) of cell-free DNA (cfDNA) in maternal age, birth weight, gender, and gestational age? Is there a difference between FF concentration regarding the parameters of IVF as possible predictive factors affecting the outcomes of IVF? Methodology This study included 31 women with singleton pregnancies conceived via IVF who underwent cell-free fetal DNA (cffDNA) screening for trisomy 13, 18, and 21; sex determination; and FF. The control group included 55 women who experienced natural conception. For all women, anthropometric characteristics such as age, weight, height, and body mass index (BMI) were recorded. For the IVF group, early follicular phase values of follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, prolactin, anti-müllerian hormone, thyroid-stimulating hormone, and estradiol were recorded. Results The natural conception and IVF groups were similar regarding maternal age, BMI of the mother, gender, birth weight, and gestational age. FF was not significantly different between the natural conception and IVF groups (10 (3.8) vs. 9 (2.6); p = 0.144). The results were similar after adjusting for maternal age via regression analysis. cfDNA was not associated with maternal age, birth weight, gender, or gestational age in the entire study sample or separately for the natural conception and IVF groups. No significant correlation was found between cfDNA and IVF parameters. Conclusions The FF is an important factor for non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) accuracy. Several studies have found a reduction in FF in pregnancies following ART compared with natural conception, while other studies have presented no differences in the FF. All researchers agree on the importance of NIPT; however, knowledge on how the FF is affected in ART pregnancies compared with naturally conceived pregnancies is very limited. In this study, no difference in FF for the IVF group compared with natural conception women was observed. The cffDNA concentrations in maternal serum do not appear to be affected in IVF conception. We suggest that FF is an independent factor compared with IVF parameters.
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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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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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Folic Acid, Folinic Acid, 5 Methyl TetraHydroFolate Supplementation for Mutations That Affect Epigenesis through the Folate and One-Carbon Cycles. Biomolecules 2022; 12:biom12020197. [PMID: 35204698 PMCID: PMC8961567 DOI: 10.3390/biom12020197] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2021] [Revised: 01/18/2022] [Accepted: 01/20/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Methylation is an essential biochemical mechanism that is central to the transmission of life, and crucially responsible for regulating gametogenesis and continued embryo development. The methylation of DNA and histones drives cell division and regulation of gene expression through epigenesis and imprinting. Brain development and its maturation also depend on correct lipid methylation, and continued neuronal function depends on biogenic amines that require methylation for their synthesis. All methylation processes are carried out via a methyltransferase enzyme and its unique co-factor S-adenosylmethionine (SAM); the transfer of a methyl group to a target molecule results in the release of SAH (SA homocysteine), and then homocysteine (Hcy). Both of these molecules are toxic, inhibiting methylation in a variety of ways, and Hcy recycling to methionine is imperative; this is achieved via the one carbon cycle, supported by the folates cycle. Folate deficiency causes hyperhomocysteinaemia, with several associated diseases; during early pregnancy, deficiency interferes with closure of the neural tube at the fourth week of gestation, and nutraceutical supplementation has been routinely prescribed to prevent neural tube defects, mainly involving B vitamins, Zn and folates. The two metabolic pathways are subject to single nucleotide polymorphisms that alter their activity/capacity, often severely, impairing specific physiological functions including fertility, brain and cardiac function. The impact of three types of nutraceutical supplements, folic acid (FA), folinic acid (FLA) and 5 Methyl THF (MTHF), will be discussed here, with their positive effects alongside potentially hazardous secondary effects. The issue surrounding FA and its association with UMFA (unmetabolized folic acid) syndrome is now a matter of concern, as UMFA is currently found in the umbilical cord of the fetus, and even in infants’ blood. We will discuss its putative role in influencing the acquisition of epigenetic marks in the germline, acquired during embryogenesis, as well as the role of FA in the management of cancerous disease.
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Mizrak I, Asserhøj LL, Lund MAV, Kielstrup LR, Greisen G, Clausen TD, Main KM, Jensen RB, Vejlstrup NG, Madsen PL, Pinborg A. Cardiovascular function in 8- to 9-year-old singletons born after ART with frozen and fresh embryo transfer. Hum Reprod 2022; 37:600-611. [PMID: 35015837 DOI: 10.1093/humrep/deab284] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2021] [Revised: 12/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
STUDY QUESTION Do 8- to 9-year-old singletons conceived after frozen embryo transfer (FET) or fresh embryo transfer (Fresh-ET) have increased arterial stiffness compared to naturally conceived (NC) children? SUMMARY ANSWER The process of FET or Fresh-ET is not associated with altered cardiovascular function in 8- to 9-year-old singletons, including arterial stiffness, as compared to NC children. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY ART has been suggested to influence cardiovascular risk factors (i.e. endothelial dysfunction, increased arterial blood pressure and insulin resistance). It is not known if ART procedures alter arterial stiffness in singletons. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION A cohort study was carried out, including 8- to 9-year-old singletons conceived after FET, Fresh-ET and NC children (50 children in each group). This study was conducted between November 2018 and August 2020. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS In total, 150 singletons were identified through the Danish IVF Registry and the Medical Birth Registry. They underwent cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) and anthropometric measurements. Parental data were collected using questionnaires. NC children were matched by sex and birth year with FET/Fresh-ET children. Exclusion criteria were congenital heart disease, maternal gestational diabetes or maternal diabetes mellitus. Our primary outcome was arterial stiffness, which is assessed from noninvasive arterial blood pressure and aortic ascendens distensibility. The secondary outcome was the pulse wave velocity of total aorta and exploratory outcomes were left ventricular ejection fraction, mean arterial pressure, cardiac output and total peripheral resistance. Measurements and analyses were performed blinded to the child group. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE Aortic ascendens distensibility of children conceived after FET and Fresh-ET did not differ from NC children (mean (SD): FET 11.1 (3.6) 10-3 mmHg-1, Fresh-ET 11.8 (3.0) 10-3 mmHg-1, NC 11.4 (2.8) 10-3 mmHg-1, P > 0.05). Multivariate linear regression was performed to adjust for potential confounders (i.e. child sex and age, maternal BMI at early pregnancy and maternal educational level). Data showed no statistically significant differences between study groups and aortic ascendens distensibility. However, the fully adjusted model showed a non-significant tendency of lowered aortic ascendens distensibility in children born after FET compared to Fresh-ET (β estimate (95% CI): -0.99 10-3 mmHg-1 (-2.20; 0.21)) and NC children (β estimate (95% CI): -0.77 10-3 mmHg-1 (-1.98; 0.44)). Lastly, secondary and exploratory outcomes did not differ between the groups. Primary and secondary outcomes showed good intra-rater reliability. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION This study is possibly limited by potential selection bias as the participation rate was higher in the ART compared to the NC group. Also, in some variables, the study groups differed slightly from the non-participant population. The non-participant population (n = 1770) included those who were excluded, not invited to CMR scan, or declined to participate in this study. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS Our findings indicate that children born after FET or Fresh-ET do not have altered cardiovascular function, including arterial stiffness. This is reassuring for the future use of ART. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S) This study was funded by the Novo Nordisk Foundation (grant reference number: NNF19OC0054340) and The Research Foundation of Rigshospitalet. All authors declared no conflict of interests. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT03719703.
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Affiliation(s)
- I Mizrak
- Department of Cardiology, Copenhagen University Hospital, Herlev-Gentofte, Herlev, Denmark.,Fertility Department, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, Denmark, Copenhagen
| | - L L Asserhøj
- Fertility Department, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, Denmark, Copenhagen.,Department of Growth and Reproduction and EDMaRC, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - M A V Lund
- Department of Cardiology, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, Denmark, Copenhagen
| | - L R Kielstrup
- Fertility Department, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, Denmark, Copenhagen
| | - G Greisen
- Department of Neonatology, Copenhagen University Hospital Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - T D Clausen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, North Zealand Hospital, Hillerød, Denmark
| | - K M Main
- Department of Growth and Reproduction and EDMaRC, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - R B Jensen
- Department of Growth and Reproduction and EDMaRC, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - N G Vejlstrup
- Department of Cardiology, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, Denmark, Copenhagen
| | - P L Madsen
- Department of Cardiology, Copenhagen University Hospital, Herlev-Gentofte, Herlev, Denmark.,Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - A Pinborg
- Fertility Department, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, Denmark, Copenhagen
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OUP accepted manuscript. Hum Reprod Update 2022; 28:629-655. [DOI: 10.1093/humupd/dmac010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2021] [Revised: 02/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
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Barberet J, Binquet C, Guilleman M, Romain G, Bruno C, Martinaud A, Ginod P, Cavalieri M, Amblot C, Choux C, Fauque P. Does underlying infertility in natural conception modify the epigenetic control of imprinted genes and transposable elements in newborns? Reprod Biomed Online 2022; 44:706-715. [DOI: 10.1016/j.rbmo.2022.01.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2021] [Revised: 11/30/2021] [Accepted: 01/10/2022] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
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Peral-Sanchez I, Hojeij B, Ojeda DA, Steegers-Theunissen RPM, Willaime-Morawek S. Epigenetics in the Uterine Environment: How Maternal Diet and ART May Influence the Epigenome in the Offspring with Long-Term Health Consequences. Genes (Basel) 2021; 13:31. [PMID: 35052371 PMCID: PMC8774448 DOI: 10.3390/genes13010031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2021] [Revised: 12/15/2021] [Accepted: 12/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The societal burden of non-communicable disease is closely linked with environmental exposures and lifestyle behaviours, including the adherence to a poor maternal diet from the earliest preimplantation period of the life course onwards. Epigenetic variations caused by a compromised maternal nutritional status can affect embryonic development. This review summarises the main epigenetic modifications in mammals, especially DNA methylation, histone modifications, and ncRNA. These epigenetic changes can compromise the health of the offspring later in life. We discuss different types of nutritional stressors in human and animal models, such as maternal undernutrition, seasonal diets, low-protein diet, high-fat diet, and synthetic folic acid supplement use, and how these nutritional exposures epigenetically affect target genes and their outcomes. In addition, we review the concept of thrifty genes during the preimplantation period, and some examples that relate to epigenetic change and diet. Finally, we discuss different examples of maternal diets, their effect on outcomes, and their relationship with assisted reproductive technology (ART), including their implications on epigenetic modifications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irene Peral-Sanchez
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton SO16 6YD, UK; (D.A.O.); (S.W.-M.)
| | - Batoul Hojeij
- Department Obstetrics and Gynecology, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center, 3000 CA Rotterdam, The Netherlands; (B.H.); (R.P.M.S.-T.)
| | - Diego A. Ojeda
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton SO16 6YD, UK; (D.A.O.); (S.W.-M.)
| | - Régine P. M. Steegers-Theunissen
- Department Obstetrics and Gynecology, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center, 3000 CA Rotterdam, The Netherlands; (B.H.); (R.P.M.S.-T.)
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Ducreux B, Frappier J, Bruno C, Doukani A, Guilleman M, Simon E, Martinaud A, Bourc’his D, Barberet J, Fauque P. Genome-Wide Analysis of DNA Methylation in Buccal Cells of Children Conceived through IVF and ICSI. Genes (Basel) 2021; 12:1912. [PMID: 34946866 PMCID: PMC8701402 DOI: 10.3390/genes12121912] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2021] [Revised: 11/19/2021] [Accepted: 11/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Early life periconceptional exposures during assisted reproductive technology (ART) procedures could alter the DNA methylation profiles of ART children, notably in imprinted genes and repetitive elements. At the genome scale, DNA methylation differences have been reported in ART conceptions at birth, but it is still unclear if those differences remain at childhood. Here, we performed an epigenome-wide DNA methylation association study using Illumina InfiniumEPIC BeadChip to assess the effects of the mode of conception on the methylome of buccal cells from 7- to 8-year-old children (48 children conceived after ART or naturally (control, CTL)) and according to the embryo culture medium in which they were conceived. We identified 127 differentially methylated positions (DMPs) and 16 differentially methylated regions (DMRs) (FDR < 0.05) with low delta beta differences between the two groups (ART vs. CTL). DMPs were preferentially located inside promoter proximal regions and CpG islands and were mostly hypermethylated with ART. We highlighted that the use of distinct embryo culture medium was not associated with DNA methylation differences in childhood. Overall, we bring additional evidence that children conceived via ART display limited genome-wide DNA methylation variation compared with those conceived naturally.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bastien Ducreux
- Equipe Génétique des Anomalies du Développement (GAD), Université Bourgogne Franche-Comté, INSERM UMR1231, 2 Rue Angélique Ducoudray, F-21000 Dijon, France; (B.D.); (J.F.); (C.B.); (M.G.); (E.S.); (A.M.); (J.B.)
| | - Jean Frappier
- Equipe Génétique des Anomalies du Développement (GAD), Université Bourgogne Franche-Comté, INSERM UMR1231, 2 Rue Angélique Ducoudray, F-21000 Dijon, France; (B.D.); (J.F.); (C.B.); (M.G.); (E.S.); (A.M.); (J.B.)
- Laboratoire de Biologie de la Reproduction—CECOS, CHU Dijon Bourgogne, 14 Rue Gaffarel, F-21000 Dijon, France
| | - Céline Bruno
- Equipe Génétique des Anomalies du Développement (GAD), Université Bourgogne Franche-Comté, INSERM UMR1231, 2 Rue Angélique Ducoudray, F-21000 Dijon, France; (B.D.); (J.F.); (C.B.); (M.G.); (E.S.); (A.M.); (J.B.)
- Laboratoire de Biologie de la Reproduction—CECOS, CHU Dijon Bourgogne, 14 Rue Gaffarel, F-21000 Dijon, France
| | - Abiba Doukani
- Faculté de Médecine, Sorbonne Université, UMS 37 PASS Plateforme P3S, 91, Bd de l’hôpital, F-75634 Paris, France;
| | - Magali Guilleman
- Equipe Génétique des Anomalies du Développement (GAD), Université Bourgogne Franche-Comté, INSERM UMR1231, 2 Rue Angélique Ducoudray, F-21000 Dijon, France; (B.D.); (J.F.); (C.B.); (M.G.); (E.S.); (A.M.); (J.B.)
- Laboratoire de Biologie de la Reproduction—CECOS, CHU Dijon Bourgogne, 14 Rue Gaffarel, F-21000 Dijon, France
| | - Emmanuel Simon
- Equipe Génétique des Anomalies du Développement (GAD), Université Bourgogne Franche-Comté, INSERM UMR1231, 2 Rue Angélique Ducoudray, F-21000 Dijon, France; (B.D.); (J.F.); (C.B.); (M.G.); (E.S.); (A.M.); (J.B.)
- Service de Gynécologie-Obstétrique, CHU Dijon Bourgogne, 14 Rue Gaffarel, F-21000 Dijon, France
| | - Aurélie Martinaud
- Equipe Génétique des Anomalies du Développement (GAD), Université Bourgogne Franche-Comté, INSERM UMR1231, 2 Rue Angélique Ducoudray, F-21000 Dijon, France; (B.D.); (J.F.); (C.B.); (M.G.); (E.S.); (A.M.); (J.B.)
- Laboratoire de Biologie de la Reproduction—CECOS, CHU Dijon Bourgogne, 14 Rue Gaffarel, F-21000 Dijon, France
| | - Déborah Bourc’his
- Institut Curie, PSL University, CNRS, INSERM, 26 Rue d’Ulm, F-75248 Paris, France;
| | - Julie Barberet
- Equipe Génétique des Anomalies du Développement (GAD), Université Bourgogne Franche-Comté, INSERM UMR1231, 2 Rue Angélique Ducoudray, F-21000 Dijon, France; (B.D.); (J.F.); (C.B.); (M.G.); (E.S.); (A.M.); (J.B.)
- Laboratoire de Biologie de la Reproduction—CECOS, CHU Dijon Bourgogne, 14 Rue Gaffarel, F-21000 Dijon, France
| | - Patricia Fauque
- Equipe Génétique des Anomalies du Développement (GAD), Université Bourgogne Franche-Comté, INSERM UMR1231, 2 Rue Angélique Ducoudray, F-21000 Dijon, France; (B.D.); (J.F.); (C.B.); (M.G.); (E.S.); (A.M.); (J.B.)
- Laboratoire de Biologie de la Reproduction—CECOS, CHU Dijon Bourgogne, 14 Rue Gaffarel, F-21000 Dijon, France
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Cui L, Zhao M, Zhang Z, Zhou W, Lv J, Hu J, Ma J, Fang M, Yang L, Magnussen CG, Xi B, Chen ZJ. Assessment of Cardiovascular Health of Children Ages 6 to 10 Years Conceived by Assisted Reproductive Technology. JAMA Netw Open 2021; 4:e2132602. [PMID: 34735014 PMCID: PMC8569486 DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2021.32602] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
IMPORTANCE Assisted reproductive technology (ART) has been widely used for treatment of infertility and has brought millions of births worldwide. The health of offspring conceived by ART has been of much concern, and adverse cardiovascular health outcomes have been reported by previous studies. OBJECTIVE To assess the cardiovascular health of children conceived by ART. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS This cohort study was conducted among participants recruited from November 2017 to February 2019. Participants were 382 children conceived by ART who were selected from a single reproductive center and 382 children who were naturally conceived, randomly selected from a primary school, and matched by sex, age, and maternal age at the child's birth (2 years older or younger). Data were analyzed from March 2019 through December 2019. EXPOSURES Conception by ART. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES Blood pressure was measured, and echocardiography was performed to determine left ventricular structural and functional parameters. Adjusted relative wall thickness (aRWT) was found for age, with high RWT defined as an aRWT of 0.375 or more. RESULTS Among 764 children aged 6 to 10 years, 382 children were conceived by ART (mean [SD] age, 7.20 [1.21] years; 201 [52.6%] boys) and 382 children were naturally conceived (mean [SD] age, 7.20 [1.21] years; 201 [52.6%] boys). Children conceived by ART had statistically significantly increased mean (SD) height (130.2 [9.5] cm vs 128.5 [8.1] cm; P = .007) and body mass index (17.6 [3.6] vs 17.1 [2.7]; P = .03). Those conceived by ART, compared with children in the matched control group, had statistically significantly increased blood pressure (mean [SD] systolic blood pressure, 105.5 [6.9] mm Hg vs 103.5 [8.4] mm Hg; adjusted P < .001; mean [SD] diastolic blood pressure, 67.2 [5.6] mm Hg vs 62.2 [6.3] mm Hg ; adjusted P < .001), left ventricular systolic dysfunction (mean [SD] left ventricular ejection fraction, 64.61% [3.20%] vs 66.70% [3.89%]; adjusted P < .001), and diastolic dysfunction (mean [SD] early/late mitral/tricuspid diastolic velocities ratio, 1.66 [0.28] vs 2.21 [0.36]; adjusted P < .001). They also had statistically significantly increased parameters of left ventricular structure, including mean (SD) left ventricular mass index (31.97 [5.04] g/m2.7 vs 28.28 [3.54] g/m2.7; adjusted P < .001) and RWT (3.30 [0.41] mm vs 2.98 [0.14] mm; adjusted P < .001). Additionally, children conceived by ART had statistically significantly increased prevalence of left ventricular hypertrophy (9 children [2.4%] vs 2 children [0.5%]; P = .03), high RWT (61 children [16.0%] vs 0 children; P < .001), and left ventricle remodeling patterns, including concentric remodeling (60 children [15.7%] vs 0 children), eccentric hypertrophy (8 children [2.1%] vs 2 children [0.5%]), and concentric hypertrophy (1 child [0.3%] vs 0 children) (P for left ventricle remodeling < .001). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE This study found that children conceived by ART had increased blood pressure and unfavorable changes in left ventricular structure and function compared with children who were naturally conceived. These findings suggest that further studies are needed to investigate the potential mechanisms and long-term outcomes associated with these differences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linlin Cui
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
- Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology of Ministry of Education, Shandong University, Jinan, China
- Shandong Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Jinan, China
- Shandong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Reproductive Health, Jinan, China
- National Research Center for Assisted Reproductive Technology and Reproductive Genetics, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Min Zhao
- Department of Nutrition and Food Hygiene, School of Public Health, Qilu Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Zhirong Zhang
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
- Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology of Ministry of Education, Shandong University, Jinan, China
- Shandong Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Jinan, China
- Shandong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Reproductive Health, Jinan, China
- National Research Center for Assisted Reproductive Technology and Reproductive Genetics, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Wei Zhou
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
- Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology of Ministry of Education, Shandong University, Jinan, China
- Shandong Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Jinan, China
- Shandong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Reproductive Health, Jinan, China
- National Research Center for Assisted Reproductive Technology and Reproductive Genetics, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Jianan Lv
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
- Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology of Ministry of Education, Shandong University, Jinan, China
- Shandong Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Jinan, China
- Shandong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Reproductive Health, Jinan, China
- National Research Center for Assisted Reproductive Technology and Reproductive Genetics, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Jingmei Hu
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
- Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology of Ministry of Education, Shandong University, Jinan, China
- Shandong Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Jinan, China
- Shandong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Reproductive Health, Jinan, China
- National Research Center for Assisted Reproductive Technology and Reproductive Genetics, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Jinlong Ma
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
- Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology of Ministry of Education, Shandong University, Jinan, China
- Shandong Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Jinan, China
- Shandong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Reproductive Health, Jinan, China
- National Research Center for Assisted Reproductive Technology and Reproductive Genetics, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Mei Fang
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
- Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology of Ministry of Education, Shandong University, Jinan, China
- Shandong Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Jinan, China
- Shandong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Reproductive Health, Jinan, China
- National Research Center for Assisted Reproductive Technology and Reproductive Genetics, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Lili Yang
- Children Cardiovascular Research Center, Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Qilu Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Costan G. Magnussen
- Menzies Institute for Medical Research, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Australia
- Research Centre of Applied and Preventive Cardiovascular Medicine, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
| | - Bo Xi
- Children Cardiovascular Research Center, Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Qilu Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
- Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Remodeling and Function Research, Chinese Ministry of Education, Chinese National Health Commission and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, State and Shandong Province Joint Key Laboratory of Translational Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Cardiology, Cheeloo Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Zi-Jiang Chen
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
- Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology of Ministry of Education, Shandong University, Jinan, China
- Shandong Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Jinan, China
- Shandong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Reproductive Health, Jinan, China
- National Research Center for Assisted Reproductive Technology and Reproductive Genetics, Shandong University, Jinan, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory for Assisted Reproduction and Reproductive Genetics, Shanghai, China
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
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Horánszky A, Becker JL, Zana M, Ferguson-Smith AC, Dinnyés A. Epigenetic Mechanisms of ART-Related Imprinting Disorders: Lessons From iPSC and Mouse Models. Genes (Basel) 2021; 12:genes12111704. [PMID: 34828310 PMCID: PMC8620286 DOI: 10.3390/genes12111704] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2021] [Revised: 10/24/2021] [Accepted: 10/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
The rising frequency of ART-conceived births is accompanied by the need for an improved understanding of the implications of ART on gametes and embryos. Increasing evidence from mouse models and human epidemiological data suggests that ART procedures may play a role in the pathophysiology of certain imprinting disorders (IDs), including Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome, Silver-Russell syndrome, Prader-Willi syndrome, and Angelman syndrome. The underlying molecular basis of this association, however, requires further elucidation. In this review, we discuss the epigenetic and imprinting alterations of in vivo mouse models and human iPSC models of ART. Mouse models have demonstrated aberrant regulation of imprinted genes involved with ART-related IDs. In the past decade, iPSC technology has provided a platform for patient-specific cellular models of culture-associated perturbed imprinting. However, despite ongoing efforts, a deeper understanding of the susceptibility of iPSCs to epigenetic perturbation is required if they are to be reliably used for modelling ART-associated IDs. Comparing the patterns of susceptibility of imprinted genes in mouse models and IPSCs in culture improves the current understanding of the underlying mechanisms of ART-linked IDs with implications for our understanding of the influence of environmental factors such as culture and hormone treatments on epigenetically important regions of the genome such as imprints.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alex Horánszky
- BioTalentum Ltd., H-2100 Gödöllő, Hungary; (A.H.); (M.Z.)
- Department of Physiology and Animal Health, Institute of Physiology and Animal Health, Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences, H-2100 Gödöllő, Hungary
| | - Jessica L. Becker
- Department of Genetics, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 3EH, UK; (J.L.B.); (A.C.F.-S.)
| | - Melinda Zana
- BioTalentum Ltd., H-2100 Gödöllő, Hungary; (A.H.); (M.Z.)
| | - Anne C. Ferguson-Smith
- Department of Genetics, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 3EH, UK; (J.L.B.); (A.C.F.-S.)
| | - András Dinnyés
- BioTalentum Ltd., H-2100 Gödöllő, Hungary; (A.H.); (M.Z.)
- Department of Physiology and Animal Health, Institute of Physiology and Animal Health, Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences, H-2100 Gödöllő, Hungary
- HCEMM-USZ Stem Cell Research Group, Hungarian Centre of Excellence for Molecular Medicine, H-6723 Szeged, Hungary
- Department of Cell Biology and Molecular Medicine, University of Szeged, H-6720 Szeged, Hungary
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +36-20-510-9632; Fax: +36-28-526-151
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Barberet J, Romain G, Binquet C, Guilleman M, Bruno C, Ginod P, Chapusot C, Choux C, Fauque P. Do frozen embryo transfers modify the epigenetic control of imprinted genes and transposable elements in newborns compared with fresh embryo transfers and natural conceptions? Fertil Steril 2021; 116:1468-1480. [PMID: 34538459 DOI: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2021.08.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2021] [Revised: 07/02/2021] [Accepted: 08/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To determine whether the epigenetic control of imprinted genes (IGs) and transposable elements (TEs) differs at birth between fresh or frozen embryo transfers and natural conceptions. DESIGN Prospective study. SETTING University hospital. PATIENT(S) A total of 202 singleton births were divided into three groups: 84 natural pregnancies (controls), 66 in vitro fertilization/intracytoplasmic sperm injection with fresh embryo transfers, and 52 vitro fertilization/intracytoplasmic sperm injection with frozen embryo transfers. INTERVENTION(S) None. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S) Pyrosequencing was used to assess the DNA methylation profiles of three IGs (H19/IGF2:IG-DMR [two sequences], KCNQ1OT1:TSS-DMR, and SNURF:TSS-DMR) and two TEs (LINE-1 and HERV-FRD) in cord blood and placenta. The quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction was used to study the transcription of three IGs (H19, KCNQ1, and SNRPN) and two TEs (LINE-1 and ORF2). RESULT(S) After adjustment, the placental DNA methylation levels of H19/IGF2 were lower in the fresh embryo transfer group than in the control (H19/IGF2-seq1) and frozen embryo transfer (H19/IGF2-seq2) groups. The DNA methylation rate for LINE-1 was lower in placentas from the fresh embryo transfer group than in placentas from the control and frozen embryo transfer groups and for HERV-FRD compared with controls. In cord blood, DNA methylation levels were not significantly associated with the mode of conception. The relative expression of LINE-1 and ORF2 was decreased in both cord blood and placental tissues from fresh embryo transfer conceptions compared with natural conceptions and frozen embryo transfer conceptions. CONCLUSION(S) Compared with natural conceptions and frozen embryo transfers, fresh embryo transfers were associated with methylation and/or transcription changes in some TEs and IGs, mostly in placental samples, which could indicate altered placental epigenetic regulation resulting from ovarian stimulation protocols.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julie Barberet
- Université Bourgogne Franche-Comté-Equipe Génétique des Anomalies du Développement (GAD), INSERM UMR1231, Dijon, France; Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Dijon-Bourgogne, Laboratoire de Biologie de la Reproduction-CECOS, Dijon, France
| | - Gaelle Romain
- Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Dijon-Bourgogne, Centre d'Investigation Clinique, Module Epidémiologie Clinique/Essais Cliniques (CIC-EC), Dijon, France; INSERM, CIC1432, Module Epidémiologie Clinique, Dijon, France
| | - Christine Binquet
- Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Dijon-Bourgogne, Centre d'Investigation Clinique, Module Epidémiologie Clinique/Essais Cliniques (CIC-EC), Dijon, France; INSERM, CIC1432, Module Epidémiologie Clinique, Dijon, France
| | - Magali Guilleman
- Université Bourgogne Franche-Comté-Equipe Génétique des Anomalies du Développement (GAD), INSERM UMR1231, Dijon, France; Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Dijon-Bourgogne, Laboratoire de Biologie de la Reproduction-CECOS, Dijon, France
| | - Céline Bruno
- Université Bourgogne Franche-Comté-Equipe Génétique des Anomalies du Développement (GAD), INSERM UMR1231, Dijon, France; Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Dijon-Bourgogne, Laboratoire de Biologie de la Reproduction-CECOS, Dijon, France
| | - Perrine Ginod
- Université Bourgogne Franche-Comté-Equipe Génétique des Anomalies du Développement (GAD), INSERM UMR1231, Dijon, France; Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Dijon-Bourgogne, Service de Gynécologie-Obstétrique, Dijon, France
| | - Caroline Chapusot
- Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Dijon-Bourgogne, Plateforme de Génétique des Cancers de Bourgogne, Dijon, France
| | - Cécile Choux
- Université Bourgogne Franche-Comté-Equipe Génétique des Anomalies du Développement (GAD), INSERM UMR1231, Dijon, France; Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Dijon-Bourgogne, Service de Gynécologie-Obstétrique, Dijon, France
| | - Patricia Fauque
- Université Bourgogne Franche-Comté-Equipe Génétique des Anomalies du Développement (GAD), INSERM UMR1231, Dijon, France; Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Dijon-Bourgogne, Laboratoire de Biologie de la Reproduction-CECOS, Dijon, France.
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Abstract
Assisted reproductive technology is today considered a safe and reliable medical intervention, with healthy live births a reality for many IVF and ICSI treatment cycles. However, there are increasing numbers of published reports describing epigenetic/imprinting anomalies in children born as a result of these procedures. These anomalies have been attributed to methylation errors in embryo chromatin remodelling during in vitro culture. Here we re-visit three concepts: (1) the so-called 'in vitro toxicity' of 'essential amino acids' before the maternal to zygotic transition period; (2) the effect of hyperstimulation (controlled ovarian hyperstimulation) on homocysteine in the oocyte environment and the effect on methylation in the absence of essential amino acids; and (3) the fact/postulate that during the early stages of development the embryo undergoes a 'global' demethylation. Methylation processes require efficient protection against oxidative stress, which jeopardizes the correct acquisition of methylation marks as well as subsequent methylation maintenance. The universal precursor of methylation [by S-adenosyl methionine (SAM)], methionine, 'an essential amino acid', should be present in the culture. Polyamines, regulators of methylation, require SAM and arginine for their syntheses. Cystine, another 'semi-essential amino acid', is the precursor of the universal protective antioxidant molecule: glutathione. It protects methylation marks against some undue DNA demethylation processes through ten-eleven translocation (TET), after formation of hydroxymethyl cytosine. Early embryos are unable to convert homocysteine to cysteine as the cystathionine β-synthase pathway is not active. In this way, cysteine is a 'real essential amino acid'. Most IVF culture medium do not maintain methylation/epigenetic processes, even in mouse assays. Essential amino acids should be present in human IVF medium to maintain adequate epigenetic marking in preimplantation embryos. Furthermore, morphological and morphometric data need to be re-evaluated, taking into account the basic biochemical processes involved in early life.
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Ochoa E. Alteration of Genomic Imprinting after Assisted Reproductive Technologies and Long-Term Health. Life (Basel) 2021; 11:728. [PMID: 34440472 PMCID: PMC8398258 DOI: 10.3390/life11080728] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2021] [Revised: 06/24/2021] [Accepted: 07/15/2021] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Assisted reproductive technologies (ART) are the treatment of choice for some infertile couples and even though these procedures are generally considered safe, children conceived by ART have shown higher reported risks of some perinatal and postnatal complications such as low birth weight, preterm birth, and childhood cancer. In addition, the frequency of some congenital imprinting disorders, like Beckwith-Wiedemann Syndrome and Silver-Russell Syndrome, is higher than expected in the general population after ART. Experimental evidence from animal studies suggests that ART can induce stress in the embryo and influence gene expression and DNA methylation. Human epigenome studies have generally revealed an enrichment of alterations in imprinted regions in children conceived by ART, but no global methylation alterations. ART procedures occur simultaneously with the establishment and maintenance of imprinting during embryonic development, so this may underlie the apparent sensitivity of imprinted regions to ART. The impact in adulthood of imprinting alterations that occurred during early embryonic development is still unclear, but some experimental evidence in mice showed higher risk to obesity and cardiovascular disease after the restriction of some imprinted genes in early embryonic development. This supports the hypothesis that imprinting alterations in early development might induce epigenetic programming of metabolism and affect long-term health. Given the growing use of ART, it is important to determine the impact of ART in genomic imprinting and long-term health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eguzkine Ochoa
- Department of Medical Genetics, University of Cambridge and NIHR Cambridge Biomedical Research Centre, Cambridge CB2 0QQ, UK
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Penova-Veselinovic B, Melton PE, Huang RC, Yovich JL, Burton P, Wijs LA, Hart RJ. DNA methylation patterns within whole blood of adolescents born from assisted reproductive technology are not different from adolescents born from natural conception. Hum Reprod 2021; 36:2035-2049. [PMID: 33890633 DOI: 10.1093/humrep/deab078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2020] [Revised: 03/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
STUDY QUESTION Do the epigenome-wide DNA methylation profiles of adolescents born from ART differ from the epigenome of naturally conceived counterparts? SUMMARY ANSWER No significant differences in the DNA methylation profiles of adolescents born from ART [IVF or ICSI] were observed when compared to their naturally conceived, similar aged counterparts. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY Short-term and longer-term studies have investigated the general health outcomes of children born from IVF treatment, albeit without common agreement as to the cause and underlying mechanisms of these adverse health findings. Growing evidence suggests that the reported adverse health outcomes in IVF-born offspring might have underlying epigenetic mechanisms. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION The Growing Up Healthy Study (GUHS) is a prospective study that recruited 303 adolescents and young adults, conceived through ART, to compare various long-term health outcomes and DNA methylation profiles with similar aged counterparts from Generation 2 from the Raine Study. GUHS assessments were conducted between 2013 and 2017. The effect of ART on DNA methylation levels of 231 adolescents mean age 15.96 ± 1.59 years (52.8% male) was compared to 1188 naturally conceived counterparts, 17.25 ± 0.58 years (50.9% male) from the Raine Study. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS DNA methylation profiles from a subset of 231 adolescents (13-19.9 years) from the GUHS, generated using the Infinium Methylation Epic Bead Chip (EPIC) array were compared to 1188 profiles from the Raine Study previously measured using the Illumina 450K array. We conducted epigenome-wide association approach (EWAS) and tested for an association between the cohorts applying Firth's bias reduced logistic regression against the outcome of ART versus naturally conceived offspring. Additionally, within the GUHS cohort, we investigated differences in methylation status in fresh versus frozen embryo transfers, cause of infertility as well as IVF versus ICSI conceived offspring. Following the EWAS analysis we investigated nominally significant probes using Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA) to identify enriched biological pathways. Finally, within GUHS we compared four estimates (Horvath, Hanuum, PhenoAge [Levine], and skin Horvath) of epigenetic age and their correlation with chronological age. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE Between the two cohorts, we did not identify any DNA methylation probes that reached a Bonferroni corrected P-value < 1.24E-0.7. When comparing IVF versus ICSI conceived adolescents within the GUHS cohort, after adjustment for participant age, sex, maternal smoking, multiple births, and batch effect, three methylation probes (cg15016734, cg26744878 and cg20233073) reached a Bonferroni correction of 6.31E-08. After correcting for cell count heterogeneity, two of the aforementioned probes remained significant and an additional two probes (cg 0331628 and cg 20235051) were identified. A general trend towards hypomethylation in the ICSI offspring was observed. All four measures of epigenetic age were highly correlated with chronological age and showed no evidence of accelerated epigenetic aging within their whole blood. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION The small sample size coupled with the use of whole blood, where epigenetic differences may occur in other tissue. This was corrected by the utilized statistical method that accounts for imbalanced sample size between groups and adjusting for cell count heterogeneity. Only a small portion of the methylome was analysed and rare individual differences may be missed. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS Our findings provide further reassurance that the effects of the ART manipulations occurring during early embryogenesis, existing in the neonatal period are indeed of a transient nature and do not persist into adolescence. However, we have not excluded that alternative epigenetic mechanisms may be at play. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S) This project was supported by NHMRC project Grant no. 1042269 and R.J.H. received funding support from Ferring Pharmaceuticals Pty Ltd. R.J.H. is the Medical Director of Fertility Specialists of Western Australia and a shareholder in Western IVF. He has received educational sponsorship from Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp.- Australia, Merck-Serono Australia Pty Ltd and Ferring Pharmaceuticals Pty Ltd. P.B. is the Scientific Director of Concept Fertility Centre, Subiaco, Western Australia. J.L.Y. is the Medical Director of PIVET Medical Centre, Perth, Western Australia. The remaining authors have no conflicts of interest.
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Affiliation(s)
- B Penova-Veselinovic
- Division of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - P E Melton
- School of Population and Global Health, University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia.,School of Pharmacy and Biomedical Science, Curtin University, Perth, WA, Australia.,Menzies Institute for Medical Research, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS, Australia
| | - R C Huang
- Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, Centre for Child Health Research, University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia.,Telethon Kids Institute, Nedlands, WA, Australia
| | - J L Yovich
- School of Pharmacy and Biomedical Science, Curtin University, Perth, WA, Australia.,PIVET Medical Centre, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - P Burton
- Concept Fertility Centre, Subiaco, WA, Australia.,School of Health and Medical Sciences, Faculty of Health Science, Edith Cowan University, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - L A Wijs
- Division of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - R J Hart
- Division of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia.,Fertility Specialists of Western Australia, Bethesda Hospital, Claremont, WA, Australia
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Terho AM, Pelkonen S, Opdahl S, Romundstad LB, Bergh C, Wennerholm UB, Henningsen AA, Pinborg A, Gissler M, Tiitinen A. High birth weight and large-for-gestational-age in singletons born after frozen compared to fresh embryo transfer, by gestational week: a Nordic register study from the CoNARTaS group. Hum Reprod 2021; 36:1083-1092. [PMID: 33416878 DOI: 10.1093/humrep/deaa304] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2020] [Revised: 09/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
STUDY QUESTION When do the differences in birth weights become apparent between singletons born after frozen embryo transfer (FET) and fresh embryo transfer (fresh ET)? SUMMARY ANSWER Mean birth weights after FET become significantly higher starting from gestational week (GW) 33 among boys and from GW 34 among girls. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY In recent years, there has been a steep rise in recorded FET treatments, enabling widespread use of elective single embryo transfer, thus reducing the risks associated with multiple gestations. However, singletons born after FET are heavier and there is a higher risk of large-for-gestational-age (LGA) (birth weight > 90 percentiles) compared to fresh ET. In contrast, risk of small-for-gestational-age (SGA, birth weight < 10 percentiles) is lower in singletons born after FET compared to fresh ET. The reasons, timing and consequences of these differences remain largely unclear. There is limited evidence about whether this difference in growth develops before the last trimester of pregnancy. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION This retrospective Nordic register-based cohort study compared singletons born after FET (n = 17 500) to singletons born after fresh ET (n = 69 510) and natural conception (NC, n = 3 311 588). All live born singletons born between the years 2000 and 2015 in Denmark, Norway and Sweden at gestational age ≥22 weeks were included from the population-based Committee of Nordic ART and Safety (CoNARTaS) study population. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS Children born after FET were compared to those born after fresh ET and NC for mean birth weight and proportion of LGA and SGA for each GW at birth. Chi-square test and tests for relative proportions were used to compare categorical variables and Student's t-test was used to compare continuous variables. Adjusted odds ratios (aORs) for LGA and SGA were calculated using logistic regressions, adjusting for year of birth, maternal age, parity, BMI, chronic hypertension, diabetes, smoking and offspring sex. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE Mean birth weights were significantly higher after FET compared to fresh ET starting from GW 33 (range from 75 g to 228 g by week) for boys and starting from GW 34 (range from 90 g to 236 g by week) for girls. Boys born after FET had a significantly higher proportion of LGA (11.0-15.1%) at birth between GW 36 and 42, compared to those born after fresh ET (7.1-9.4%) (range from P < 0.001 to P = 0.048 by week). For girls born after FET, the difference was seen between GW 37 and 42 (10.6-13.4%) compared to those born after fresh ET (6.6-8.0%) (range from P < 0.001 to P = 0.009 by week).The proportion of SGA was significantly lower among boys born after FET (7.6-8.7%) compared to fresh ET (11.9-13.6%) between GW 36 and 42 (range from P < 0.001 to P = 0.016 by week). For girls born after FET, the difference was seen between GW 38 and 42 (7.0-9.3%) compared to those born after fresh ET (13.0-14.6%) (P < 0.001). The proportion of LGA (12.3-15.1%) was significantly higher for boys born after FET between GW 38 and 41 (P < 0.001) and for girls born after FET (12.6-13.4%) between GW 37 and 40 (range from P < 0.001 to P = 0.018 by week), compared to naturally conceived boys (9.7-9.9%) and girls (9.0-10.0%). All singletons born after FET had a higher risk of LGA compared to singletons born after fresh ET (aOR 1.87, 95% CI 1.76-1.98) and singletons born after NC (aOR 1.28, 95% CI 1.22-1.35). LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION There may be residual confounding factors that we were not able to control for, most importantly the causes of preterm birth, which may also influence foetal growth. A further limitation is that we have no knowledge on growth patterns between implantation and GW 22. Finally, the number of children born extremely preterm or post-term was limited even in this large study population. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS This is, to date, the largest study on birth weights among preterm and term ART singletons with a population-based design and NC control group. The results suggest that the freeze-thaw process is associated with higher birthweights and greater risk of LGA at least in the last trimester of pregnancy. This is an important aspect of the safety profile of ART. More research is needed on the long-term outcome of these children. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S) The CoNARTaS collaboration has received the following funding: the Nordic Trial Alliance: a pilot project jointly funded by the Nordic Council of Ministers and NordForsk [71450], the Central Norway Regional Health Authorities [46045000], the Norwegian Cancer Society [182356-2016], the Nordic Federation of Obstetrics and Gynaecology [NF13041, NF15058, NF16026 and NF17043], the Interreg Öresund-Kattegat-Skagerrak European Regional Development Fund (ReproUnion project) and the Research Council of Norway's Centre of Excellence funding scheme [262700]. None of the authors have any competing interests to declare. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER ISRCTN11780826.
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Affiliation(s)
- A M Terho
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Oulu University Hospital and University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland
| | - S Pelkonen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Oulu University Hospital and University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland
| | - S Opdahl
- Department of Public Health and Nursing, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway
| | - L B Romundstad
- Center for Fertility and Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway.,Spiren Fertility Clinic, Trondheim, Norway
| | - C Bergh
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Institute of Clinical Sciences, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - U B Wennerholm
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Institute of Clinical Sciences, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - A A Henningsen
- The Fertility Clinic, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - A Pinborg
- The Fertility Clinic, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - M Gissler
- Information Services Department, THL, Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, Helsinki, Finland.,Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - A Tiitinen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Helsinki University Hospital and University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
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Barberet J, Binquet C, Guilleman M, Doukani A, Choux C, Bruno C, Bourredjem A, Chapusot C, Bourc'his D, Duffourd Y, Fauque P. Do assisted reproductive technologies and in vitro embryo culture influence the epigenetic control of imprinted genes and transposable elements in children? Hum Reprod 2021; 36:479-492. [PMID: 33319250 DOI: 10.1093/humrep/deaa310] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2020] [Revised: 09/10/2020] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
STUDY QUESTION Do assisted reproductive technologies (ART) and in vitro embryo culture influence the epigenetic control of imprinted genes (IGs) and transposable elements (TEs) in children? SUMMARY ANSWER Significant differences in the DNA methylation of IGs or transposon families were reported between ART and naturally conceived children, but there was no difference between culture media. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY There is concern that ART may play a role in increasing the incidence of adverse health outcomes in children, probably through epigenetic mechanisms. It is crucial to assess epigenetic control, especially following non-optimal in vitro culture conditions and to compare epigenetic analyses from ART-conceived and naturally conceived children. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION This follow-up study was based on an earlier randomized study comparing in vitro fertilization outcomes following the use of two distinct culture media. We compared the epigenetic profiles of children from the initial randomized study according to the mode of conception [i.e. ART singletons compared with those of a cohort of naturally conceived singleton children (CTL)], the type of embryo culture medium used [global medium (LifeGlobal) and single step medium (Irvine Scientific)] and the mode of in vitro fertilization (i.e. IVF versus ICSI). PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS A total of 57 buccal smears were collected from 7- to 8-year-old children. The DNA methylation profiles of four differentially methylated regions (DMRs) of IGs (H19/IGF2: IG-DMR, KCNQ1OT1: TSS-DMR, SNURF: TSS-DMR, and PEG3: TSS-DMR) and two TEs (AluYa5 and LINE-1) were first assessed by pyrosequencing. We further explored IGs and TEs' methylation changes through methylation array (Human MethylationEPIC BeadChip referred as EPIC array, Illumina). MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE Changes in the IGs' DNA methylation levels were found in ART children compared to controls. DNA methylation levels of H19/IGF2 DMR were significantly lower in ART children than in CTL children [52% versus 58%, P = 0.003, false discovery rate (FDR) P = 0.018] while a significantly higher methylation rate was observed for the PEG3 DMR (51% versus 48%, P = 0.007, FDR P = 0.021). However, no differences were found between the culture media. After observing these targeted modifications, analyses were performed at wider scale. Again, no differences were detected according to the culture media, but imprinted-related DMRs overlapping promoter region near the genes major for the development (MEG3, BLCAP, and DLX5) were detected between the ART and CTL children. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION The sample size could seem relatively small, but the high consistency of our results was ensured by the homogeneity of the cohort from the initial randomized study, the standardized laboratory techniques and the robust statistical analyses accounting for multiple testing. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS Although this study did not report DNA methylation differences depending on the culture medium, it sheds light on epigenetic changes that could be observed in some children conceived by ART as compared to CTL children. The clinical relevance of such differences remains largely unknown, and it is still unclear whether such changes are due to some specific ART procedures and/or to parental infertility. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S) This work was supported by funding from the Agence Nationale pour la Recherche ('CARE'-ANR JCJC 2017). The authors have no conflicts of interest. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER Not concerned.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Barberet
- Université Bourgogne Franche-Comté-Equipe Génétique des Anomalies du Développement (GAD) INSERM UMR1231, Dijon, France.,CHU Dijon Bourgogne, Laboratoire de Biologie de la Reproduction-CECOS, Dijon, France
| | - C Binquet
- CHU Dijon Bourgogne, Centre d'Investigation Clinique, module Epidémiologie Clinique/essais cliniques (CIC-EC), Dijon, France.,INSERM, CIC1432, module épidémiologie clinique, Dijon, France
| | - M Guilleman
- Université Bourgogne Franche-Comté-Equipe Génétique des Anomalies du Développement (GAD) INSERM UMR1231, Dijon, France.,CHU Dijon Bourgogne, Laboratoire de Biologie de la Reproduction-CECOS, Dijon, France
| | - A Doukani
- Faculté de Médecine Sorbonne Université, Site Pitié-Salpêtrière, Paris, France
| | - C Choux
- Université Bourgogne Franche-Comté-Equipe Génétique des Anomalies du Développement (GAD) INSERM UMR1231, Dijon, France.,CHU Dijon Bourgogne, Service de Gynécologie-Obstétrique, Dijon, France
| | - C Bruno
- Université Bourgogne Franche-Comté-Equipe Génétique des Anomalies du Développement (GAD) INSERM UMR1231, Dijon, France.,CHU Dijon Bourgogne, Laboratoire de Biologie de la Reproduction-CECOS, Dijon, France
| | - A Bourredjem
- CHU Dijon Bourgogne, Centre d'Investigation Clinique, module Epidémiologie Clinique/essais cliniques (CIC-EC), Dijon, France.,INSERM, CIC1432, module épidémiologie clinique, Dijon, France
| | - C Chapusot
- CHU Dijon Bourgogne, Plateforme de génétique des Cancers de bourgogne, Dijon, France
| | - D Bourc'his
- Institut Curie, PSL University, CNRS, INSERM, Paris, France
| | - Y Duffourd
- Université Bourgogne Franche-Comté-Equipe Génétique des Anomalies du Développement (GAD) INSERM UMR1231, Dijon, France
| | - P Fauque
- Université Bourgogne Franche-Comté-Equipe Génétique des Anomalies du Développement (GAD) INSERM UMR1231, Dijon, France.,CHU Dijon Bourgogne, Laboratoire de Biologie de la Reproduction-CECOS, Dijon, France
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Moreau J, Gatimel N, Lippi Y, Tavenier G, Fauque P, Guilleman M, Naylies C, Huesca AA, Gayrard V, Parinaud J, Leandri RD. Impact of the polycarbonate strippers used in assisted reproduction techniques on embryonic development. Hum Reprod 2021; 36:331-339. [PMID: 33246333 DOI: 10.1093/humrep/deaa290] [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: 04/28/2020] [Revised: 09/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
STUDY QUESTION Do daily manipulations of preimplantation embryos with polycarbonate (PC)-made bisphenol A (BPA)-releasing strippers influence embryo development? SUMMARY ANSWER Compared to glass strippers, PC strippers enhance the blastocyst development rate but this does not seem to be BPA-related. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY PC strippers have been shown to release tiny amounts (around 0.5 ng/ml BPA) of BPA in routine human IVF procedures. A chronic exposure to BPA either in vivo or in vitro during the preimplantation period can impact post-implantation and post-natal development. BPA can act rapidly by binding to membrane receptors and inducing rapid non-genomic effects. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION This experimental study using mouse embryos had a balanced design and blinded evaluations of the endpoints. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS In vivo fertilized zygotes were obtained from outbred Swiss CD1 mice crossings after an ovarian stimulation. The zygotes were allocated to three daily handling conditions (HCs) and cultured until Day 4 in a single human commercial medium. Each day, the embryos were handled for 20 s either in a PC stripper (HC1) or in a glass stripper (HC2). In HC3, the embryos were pre-exposed to 0.5 ng/ml BPA before being handled for 20 s in a glass stripper. Handling operations were repeated on Days 1, 2 and 3. Embryo development was assessed blindly on Day 4. Expanded blastocysts were selected for a transcriptomic analysis using Agilent Sureprint G3 Mouse GE v2 microarrays and the retrotransposon LINE1-Orf2 expression was analysed using qRT-PCR, as a proxy for a global evaluation of the epigenetic status. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE Compared to the embryos manipulated in HC2 (n = 243), those in HC1 (n = 228) developed significantly more often to the blastocyst stage (55 vs 46%; P < 0.05). It appears the effect of these PC strippers was not BPA-related because embryos pre-exposed to BPA (HC3, n = 230) showed no difference in the blastocyst rate when compared to HC2 (43 vs 46%). When analysing same-stage blastocysts, we noticed no difference in the embryo gene expression between the three HC groups. LARGE SCALE DATA https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/geo/query/acc.cgi?acc=GSE148868. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION Our results using a mouse model designed to mimic human conditions (outbred strain, human commercial IVF dishes and a unique commercial human embryonic culture media) are reassuring since no gene was found to be differentially expressed, including LINE-1 genes, as a proxy for a global evaluation of the epigenetic status. However, no global epigenetic analysis of the genome has been performed. Furthermore, we did not evaluate post-implantation events, although BPA exposure during peri-conception could affect foeto-placental and post-natal development. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS Based on the precautionary principle, several European countries banned the use of BPA in baby bottles and food packaging several years before European Agencies took an official position. The question of applying this principle to plastics in closed contact with human embryos is raised. Further studies are needed for a decision to be made. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S) This study was supported by a grant from the Agence de Biomédecine (AOR 2016). The authors declare no competing interest.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Moreau
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, Toulouse University Hospital, Toulouse, France.,EA 3694 Human Fertility Research Group, Paul Sabatier University, Toulouse, France
| | - N Gatimel
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, Toulouse University Hospital, Toulouse, France.,EA 3694 Human Fertility Research Group, Paul Sabatier University, Toulouse, France
| | - Y Lippi
- Toxalim (Research Center in Food Toxicology), Université de Toulouse, INRAE, ENVT, INP-Purpan, UPS, Toulouse, France
| | - G Tavenier
- Transgenesis core facility of UMS006/Inserm/Paul Sabatier University/National Medical Veterinary School, Toulouse cedex 1, France.,Inserm UMR 1048, Paul Sabatier University, Toulouse cedex 4, France
| | - P Fauque
- Université Bourgogne Franche-Comté-Equipe Génétique des Anomalies du Développement (GAD) INSERM UMR 1231, Dijon, France.,CHU Dijon Bourgogne, Laboratoire de Biologie de la Reproduction, Dijon, France
| | - M Guilleman
- Université Bourgogne Franche-Comté-Equipe Génétique des Anomalies du Développement (GAD) INSERM UMR 1231, Dijon, France.,CHU Dijon Bourgogne, Laboratoire de Biologie de la Reproduction, Dijon, France
| | - C Naylies
- Toxalim (Research Center in Food Toxicology), Université de Toulouse, INRAE, ENVT, INP-Purpan, UPS, Toulouse, France
| | - A A Huesca
- INTHERES, Université de Toulouse, INRAE, ENVT, INP-Purpan, UPS, Toulouse, France
| | - V Gayrard
- ToxAlim (Research Centre in Food Toxicology), Université de Toulouse, INRAE, ENVT, INP-Purpan, UPS, Toulouse, France
| | - J Parinaud
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, Toulouse University Hospital, Toulouse, France.,EA 3694 Human Fertility Research Group, Paul Sabatier University, Toulouse, France
| | - R D Leandri
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, Toulouse University Hospital, Toulouse, France.,EA 3694 Human Fertility Research Group, Paul Sabatier University, Toulouse, France
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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: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [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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Argyraki M, Katafigiotis S, Vavilis T, Papadopoulou Z, Tzimagiorgis G, Haidich AB, Chatzimeletiou K, Grimbizis G, Tarlatzis B, Syrrou M, Lambropoulos A. Influence of conception and delivery mode on stress response marker Oct4B1 and imprinted gene expression related to embryo development: A cohort study. Int J Reprod Biomed 2021; 19:217-226. [PMID: 33842818 PMCID: PMC8023003 DOI: 10.18502/ijrm.v19i3.8569] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2019] [Revised: 01/01/2020] [Accepted: 08/25/2020] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Recent scientific data support that the mode of conception and delivery may influence epigenetic regulation and therefore embryo development. Octamer-binding transcription factor 4-B1 (OCT4B1), a novel variant of OCT4 with yet unknown biological function, is suggested to have a potential role in mediating cellular stress response. Furthermore, Insulinlike Growth Factor 2(IGF2), Mesoderm-specific Transcript(MEST) and paternally expressed gene 10(PEG10) are genes known as imprinted and are regulated via means of epigenetic regulation. The influence of delivery mode and conception on epigenetic regulation is an active research field. Objective Our aim was to correlate the expression level of Oct4B1 and the expression and methylation level of IGF2, MEST, and PEG10 imprinted genes with the mode of delivery and conception in the umbilical cord blood of newborns. Materials and Methods Samples of umbilical cord blood from infants born after vaginal delivery, caesarean section (CS) with the infant in cephalic position and CS due to breech position were examined. Furthermore, the investigation included infants conceived through means of assisted reproductive technology. Results No statistically significant differences were found in mRNA expression levels between different modes of conception and delivery (p = 0.96). Oct4B1, IGF2, MEST, and PEG10 expression levels do not seem to be significantly affected by different modes of conception and delivery. Conclusion These results indicate that the expression and methylation patterns of Oct4B1, IGF2, MEST and PEG10 in umbilical cord blood are not affected by the conception and delivery mode.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Argyraki
- Laboratory of Genetics, 1st Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, "Papageorgiou" General Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Socrates Katafigiotis
- Laboratory of Genetics, 1st Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, "Papageorgiou" General Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Theofanis Vavilis
- Laboratory of Biology and Genetics, School of Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Zoe Papadopoulou
- Laboratory of Biology, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Ioannina, Ioannina, Greece
| | - Giorgos Tzimagiorgis
- Laboratory of Biological Chemistry, School of Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Anna-Bettina Haidich
- Department of Hygiene and Epidemiology, School of Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Katerina Chatzimeletiou
- Unit for Human Reproduction, 1st Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, "Papageorgiou" General Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Grigoris Grimbizis
- Unit for Human Reproduction, 1st Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, "Papageorgiou" General Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Basil Tarlatzis
- Unit for Human Reproduction, 1st Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, "Papageorgiou" General Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Maria Syrrou
- Unit for Human Reproduction, 1st Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, "Papageorgiou" General Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Alexandros Lambropoulos
- Laboratory of Genetics, 1st Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, "Papageorgiou" General Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece
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Heber MF, Ptak GE. The effects of assisted reproduction technologies on metabolic health and disease†. Biol Reprod 2020; 104:734-744. [PMID: 33330924 PMCID: PMC8023432 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioaa224] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2020] [Revised: 11/12/2020] [Accepted: 12/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The increasing prevalence of metabolic diseases places a substantial burden on human health throughout the world. It is believed that predisposition to metabolic disease starts early in life, a period of great susceptibility to epigenetic reprogramming due to environmental insults. Assisted reproductive technologies (ART), i.e., treatments for infertility, may affect embryo development, resulting in multiple adverse health outcomes in postnatal life. The most frequently observed alteration in ART pregnancies is impaired placental nutrient transfer. Moreover, consequent intrauterine growth restriction and low birth weight followed by catch-up growth can all predict future obesity, insulin resistance, and chronic metabolic diseases. In this review, we have focused on evidence of adverse metabolic alterations associated with ART, which can contribute to the development of chronic adult-onset diseases, such as metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. Due to high phenotypic plasticity, ART pregnancies can produce both offspring with adverse health outcomes, as well as healthy individuals. We further discuss the sex-specific and age-dependent metabolic alterations reflected in ART offspring, and how the degree of interference of a given ART procedure (from mild to more severe manipulation of the egg) affects the occurrence and degree of offspring alterations. Over the last few years, studies have reported signs of cardiometabolic alterations in ART offspring that are detectable at a young age but that do not appear to constitute a high risk of disease and morbidity per se. These abnormal phenotypes could be early indicators of the development of chronic diseases, including metabolic syndrome, in adulthood. The early detection of metabolic alterations could contribute to preventing the onset of disease in adulthood. Such early interventions may counteract the risk factors and improve the long-term health of the individual.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Grażyna Ewa Ptak
- Malopolska Centre of Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland.,Faculty of Biosciences, University of Teramo, Teramo, Italy
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Menezo Y, Clement P, Clement A, Elder K. Methylation: An Ineluctable Biochemical and Physiological Process Essential to the Transmission of Life. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21239311. [PMID: 33297303 PMCID: PMC7730869 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21239311] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2020] [Revised: 11/28/2020] [Accepted: 12/02/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Methylation is a universal biochemical process which covalently adds methyl groups to a variety of molecular targets. It plays a critical role in two major global regulatory mechanisms, epigenetic modifications and imprinting, via methyl tagging on histones and DNA. During reproduction, the two genomes that unite to create a new individual are complementary but not equivalent. Methylation determines the complementary regulatory characteristics of male and female genomes. DNA methylation is executed by methyltransferases that transfer a methyl group from S-adenosylmethionine, the universal methyl donor, to cytosine residues of CG (also designated CpG). Histones are methylated mainly on lysine and arginine residues. The methylation processes regulate the main steps in reproductive physiology: gametogenesis, and early and late embryo development. A focus will be made on the impact of assisted reproductive technology and on the impact of endocrine disruptors (EDCs) via generation of oxidative stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yves Menezo
- Laboratoire CLEMENT, Avenue d’Eylau, 75016 Paris, France; (P.C.); (A.C.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Patrice Clement
- Laboratoire CLEMENT, Avenue d’Eylau, 75016 Paris, France; (P.C.); (A.C.)
| | - Arthur Clement
- Laboratoire CLEMENT, Avenue d’Eylau, 75016 Paris, France; (P.C.); (A.C.)
| | - Kay Elder
- Bourn Hall Clinic, Bourn, Cambridge CB232TN, UK;
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Intergenerational programming and in vitro fertilization: another turn of the screw. Fertil Steril 2020; 114:1167-1168. [PMID: 32873372 DOI: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2020.08.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2020] [Accepted: 08/04/2020] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
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41
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Ménézo Y, Elder K. Epigenetic remodeling of chromatin in human ART: addressing deficiencies in culture media. J Assist Reprod Genet 2020; 37:1781-1788. [PMID: 32676929 DOI: 10.1007/s10815-020-01884-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2020] [Accepted: 07/06/2020] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Yves Ménézo
- Laboratoire Clément, 17 Avenue d'Eylau, 75016, Paris, France.
| | - Kay Elder
- Bourn Hall Clinic, Bourn, Cambridge, CB232TN, UK
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Rahimi S, Martel J, Karahan G, Angle C, Behan NA, Chan D, MacFarlane AJ, Trasler JM. Moderate maternal folic acid supplementation ameliorates adverse embryonic and epigenetic outcomes associated with assisted reproduction in a mouse model. Hum Reprod 2020; 34:851-862. [PMID: 30989206 DOI: 10.1093/humrep/dez036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2018] [Revised: 01/14/2019] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
STUDY QUESTION Could clinically-relevant moderate and/or high dose maternal folic acid supplementation prevent aberrant developmental and epigenetic outcomes associated with assisted reproductive technologies (ART)? SUMMARY ANSWER Our results demonstrate dose-dependent and sex-specific effects of folic acid supplementation in ART and provide evidence that moderate dose supplements may be optimal for both sexes. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY Children conceived using ART are at an increased risk for growth and genomic imprinting disorders, often associated with DNA methylation defects. Folic acid supplementation is recommended during pregnancy to prevent adverse offspring outcomes; however, the effects of folic acid supplementation in ART remain unclear. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION Outbred female mice were fed three folic acid-supplemented diets, control (rodent daily recommended intake or DRI; CD), moderate (4-fold DRI; 4FASD) or high (10-fold DRI; 10FASD) dose, for six weeks prior to ART and throughout gestation. Mouse ART involved a combination of superovulation, in vitro fertilisation, embryo culture and embryo transfer. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS Midgestation embryos and placentas (n = 74-99/group) were collected; embryos were assessed for developmental delay and gross morphological abnormalities and embryos and placentas were examined for epigenetic defects. We assessed methylation at four imprinted genes (Snrpn, Kcnq1ot1, Peg1 and H19) in matched midgestation embryos and placentas (n = 31-32/group) using bisulfite pyrosequencing. In addition, we examined genome-wide DNA methylation patterns in placentas (n = 6 normal placentas per sex/group) and embryos (n = 6 normal female embryos/group; n = 3 delayed female embryos/group) using reduced representation bisulfite sequencing (RRBS). MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE Moderate, but not high dose supplementation, was associated with a decrease in the proportion of developmentally delayed embryos. Although moderate dose folic acid supplementation reduced DNA methylation variance at certain imprinted genes in embryonic and placental tissues, high dose supplementation exacerbated the negative effects of ART at imprinted loci. Furthermore, folic acid supplements resolved female-biased aberrant imprinted gene methylation. Supplementation was more effective at correcting ART-induced genome-wide methylation defects in male versus female placentas; however, folic acid supplementation also led to additional methylation perturbations which were more pronounced in males. LARGE-SCALE DATA The RRBS data from this study have been submitted to the NCBI Gene Expression Omnibus under the accession number GSE123143. LIMITATIONS REASONS FOR CAUTION Although the combination of mouse ART utilised in this study consisted of techniques commonly used in human fertility clinics, there may be species differences. Therefore, human studies, designed to determine the optimal levels of folic acid supplementation for ART pregnancies, and taking into account foetal sex, are warranted. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS Taken together, our findings support moderation in the dose of folic acid supplements taken during ART. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S) This work was funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (FDN-148425). The authors declare no conflict of interest.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sophia Rahimi
- Child Health and Human Development Program (CHHD), Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, 1001 Décarie Boulevard, Montréal QC, Canada.,Department of Human Genetics, McGill University, 3640 rue University, Montréal QC, Canada
| | - Josée Martel
- Child Health and Human Development Program (CHHD), Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, 1001 Décarie Boulevard, Montréal QC, Canada
| | - Gurbet Karahan
- Child Health and Human Development Program (CHHD), Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, 1001 Décarie Boulevard, Montréal QC, Canada.,Department of Human Genetics, McGill University, 3640 rue University, Montréal QC, Canada
| | - Camille Angle
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, 3655 Promenade Sir William Osler, Montréal QC, Canada
| | - Nathalie A Behan
- Nutrition Research Division, Health Canada, 251 Sir Frederick Banting Driveway, Ottawa ON, Canada
| | - Donovan Chan
- Child Health and Human Development Program (CHHD), Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, 1001 Décarie Boulevard, Montréal QC, Canada
| | - Amanda J MacFarlane
- Nutrition Research Division, Health Canada, 251 Sir Frederick Banting Driveway, Ottawa ON, Canada
| | - Jacquetta M Trasler
- Child Health and Human Development Program (CHHD), Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, 1001 Décarie Boulevard, Montréal QC, Canada.,Department of Human Genetics, McGill University, 3640 rue University, Montréal QC, Canada.,Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, 3655 Promenade Sir William Osler, Montréal QC, Canada.,Department of Pediatrics, McGill University, 1001 Décarie Boulevard, Montréal QC, Canada
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Choux C, Petazzi P, Sanchez-Delgado M, Hernandez Mora JR, Monteagudo A, Sagot P, Monk D, Fauque P. The hypomethylation of imprinted genes in IVF/ICSI placenta samples is associated with concomitant changes in histone modifications. Epigenetics 2020; 15:1386-1395. [PMID: 32573317 DOI: 10.1080/15592294.2020.1783168] [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] [Indexed: 10/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Although more and more children are born by Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ART), ART safety has not fully been demonstrated. Notably, ART could disturb the delicate step of implantation, and trigger placenta-related adverse outcomes with potential long-term effects, through disrupted epigenetic regulation. We have previously demonstrated that placental DNA methylation was significantly lower after IVF/ICSI than following natural conception at two differentially methylated regions (DMRs) associated with imprinted genes (IGs): H19/IGF2 and KCNQ1OT1. As histone modifications are critical for placental physiology, the aim of this study was to profile permissive and repressive histone marks in placenta biopsies to reveal a better understanding of the epigenetic changes in the context of ART. Utilizing chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) coupled with quantitative PCR, permissive (H3K4me3, H3K4me2, and H3K9ac) and repressive (H3K9me3 and H3K9me2) post-translational histone modifications were quantified. The analyses revealed a significantly higher quantity of H3K4me2 precipitation in the IVF/ICSI group than in the natural conception group for H19/IGF2 and KCNQ1OT1 DMRs (P = 0.016 and 0.003, respectively). Conversely, the quantity of both repressive marks at H19/IGF2 and SNURF DMRs was significantly lower in the IVF/ICSI group than in the natural conception group (P = 0.011 and 0.027 for H19/IGF2; and P = 0.010 and 0.035 for SNURF). These novel findings highlight that DNA hypomethylation at imprinted DMRs following ART is linked with increased permissive/decreased repressive histone marks, altogether promoting a more permissive chromatin conformation. This concomitant change in epigenetic state at IGs at birth might be an important developmental event because of ART manipulations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cécile Choux
- GAD (Génétique des anomalies du développement), Université Bourgogne Franche-Comté - INSERM UMR1231 , Dijon, France.,CHU Dijon Bourgogne, Service de Gynécologie-Obstétrique , Dijon, France
| | - Paolo Petazzi
- Imprinting and Cancer Group, Cancer Epigenetic and Biology Program, Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute , Barcelona, Spain
| | - Marta Sanchez-Delgado
- Imprinting and Cancer Group, Cancer Epigenetic and Biology Program, Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute , Barcelona, Spain
| | - José R Hernandez Mora
- Imprinting and Cancer Group, Cancer Epigenetic and Biology Program, Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute , Barcelona, Spain
| | - Ana Monteagudo
- Imprinting and Cancer Group, Cancer Epigenetic and Biology Program, Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute , Barcelona, Spain
| | - Paul Sagot
- CHU Dijon Bourgogne, Service de Gynécologie-Obstétrique , Dijon, France
| | - David Monk
- Imprinting and Cancer Group, Cancer Epigenetic and Biology Program, Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute , Barcelona, Spain.,Biomedical Research Centre, University of East Anglia, Norwich Research Park , Norwich Norfolk, UK
| | - Patricia Fauque
- GAD (Génétique des anomalies du développement), Université Bourgogne Franche-Comté - INSERM UMR1231 , Dijon, France.,CHU Dijon Bourgogne, Laboratoire de Biologie de la Reproduction , Dijon, France
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Deng T, Xie J, Ge H, Liu Q, Song X, Hu L, Meng L, Zhang C. Tauroursodeoxycholic acid (TUDCA) enhanced intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) embryo developmental competence by ameliorating endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and inhibiting apoptosis. J Assist Reprod Genet 2019; 37:119-126. [PMID: 31802346 DOI: 10.1007/s10815-019-01627-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2019] [Accepted: 11/01/2019] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE The objective of this study was to examine the effect of tauroursodeoxycholic acid (TUDCA) on intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) embryos by evaluating endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, apoptosis, and embryo developmental competence in vitro and in vivo. METHODS ER stress-associated genes and apoptosis-associated genes were measured and apoptosis index was analyzed. Embryo developmental competence was assessed in vitro and in vivo via the inner cell mass (ICM)/trophectoderm (TE) index, pregnancy and implantation rates, and birth rate. RESULTS The relative mRNA and protein expression of binding immunoglobulin protein (BIP) was significantly higher in the ICSI embryo group without TUDCA treatment (ICSI-C) than in the in vitro fertilization (IVF) group and in the ICSI embryo group with TUDCA treatment (200 μM) (ICSI-T), while TUDCA ameliorated ER stress in ICSI embryos. Embryos in the ICSI-C group showed a higher apoptosis index than those in the IVF group and ICSI-T group, and there was no significant difference between the IVF group and ICSI-T group. TUDCA can significantly improve ICSI embryo developmental competence in vitro and in vivo based on the ICM/TE index, pregnancy and implantation rates, and birth rate. CONCLUSION ICSI embryos manifested high ER stress and high apoptosis, while TUDCA ameliorated ER stress and reduced apoptosis in ICSI embryos. TUDCA can significantly improve the developmental competence of ICSI embryos in vitro and in vivo. This study provides a new idea for improving the efficiency of ICSI, and it will also have a positive effect on the development of assisted reproduction technologies for humans and other animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tengfei Deng
- Reproductive Medical Center, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, 7 Weiwu Rd, Zhengzhou City, 450003, Henan, China.,Reproductive Medical Center, People's Hospital of Zhengzhou University, 7 Weiwu Rd, Zhengzhou City, 450003, Henan, China.,Reproductive Medical Center, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, School of Clinical Medicine, Henan University, 7 Weiwu Rd, Zhengzhou City, 450003, Henan, China
| | - Juanke Xie
- Reproductive Medical Center, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, 7 Weiwu Rd, Zhengzhou City, 450003, Henan, China.,Reproductive Medical Center, People's Hospital of Zhengzhou University, 7 Weiwu Rd, Zhengzhou City, 450003, Henan, China.,Reproductive Medical Center, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, School of Clinical Medicine, Henan University, 7 Weiwu Rd, Zhengzhou City, 450003, Henan, China
| | - Hengtao Ge
- Reproductive Medical Center, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, 7 Weiwu Rd, Zhengzhou City, 450003, Henan, China.,Reproductive Medical Center, People's Hospital of Zhengzhou University, 7 Weiwu Rd, Zhengzhou City, 450003, Henan, China.,Reproductive Medical Center, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, School of Clinical Medicine, Henan University, 7 Weiwu Rd, Zhengzhou City, 450003, Henan, China
| | - Qi Liu
- Reproductive Medical Center, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, 7 Weiwu Rd, Zhengzhou City, 450003, Henan, China.,Reproductive Medical Center, People's Hospital of Zhengzhou University, 7 Weiwu Rd, Zhengzhou City, 450003, Henan, China.,Reproductive Medical Center, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, School of Clinical Medicine, Henan University, 7 Weiwu Rd, Zhengzhou City, 450003, Henan, China
| | - Xiaobing Song
- Reproductive Medical Center, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, 7 Weiwu Rd, Zhengzhou City, 450003, Henan, China.,Reproductive Medical Center, People's Hospital of Zhengzhou University, 7 Weiwu Rd, Zhengzhou City, 450003, Henan, China.,Reproductive Medical Center, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, School of Clinical Medicine, Henan University, 7 Weiwu Rd, Zhengzhou City, 450003, Henan, China
| | - Lin Hu
- Reproductive Medical Center, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, 7 Weiwu Rd, Zhengzhou City, 450003, Henan, China.,Reproductive Medical Center, People's Hospital of Zhengzhou University, 7 Weiwu Rd, Zhengzhou City, 450003, Henan, China.,Reproductive Medical Center, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, School of Clinical Medicine, Henan University, 7 Weiwu Rd, Zhengzhou City, 450003, Henan, China
| | - Li Meng
- Reproductive Medical Center, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, 7 Weiwu Rd, Zhengzhou City, 450003, Henan, China.,Reproductive Medical Center, People's Hospital of Zhengzhou University, 7 Weiwu Rd, Zhengzhou City, 450003, Henan, China.,Reproductive Medical Center, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, School of Clinical Medicine, Henan University, 7 Weiwu Rd, Zhengzhou City, 450003, Henan, China.,LA IVF Clinic, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Cuilian Zhang
- Reproductive Medical Center, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, 7 Weiwu Rd, Zhengzhou City, 450003, Henan, China. .,Reproductive Medical Center, People's Hospital of Zhengzhou University, 7 Weiwu Rd, Zhengzhou City, 450003, Henan, China. .,Reproductive Medical Center, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, School of Clinical Medicine, Henan University, 7 Weiwu Rd, Zhengzhou City, 450003, Henan, China.
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Bi WJ, Cui L, Xiao YJ, Song G, Wang X, Sun L, Qiao W, Ren WD. Assessing cardiovascular remodelling in fetuses and infants conceived by assisted reproductive technologies: a prospective observational cohort study protocol. BMJ Open 2019; 9:e031452. [PMID: 31662389 PMCID: PMC6830675 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2019-031452] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Assisted reproductive technologies (ART), namely in vitro fertilisation and intracytoplasmic sperm injection, have become widely used to treat infertility. Although the use of ART is generally considered favourable, there are ongoing concerns about the prenatal and perinatal risks as well as long-term risks for the child. Epidemiological studies have demonstrated an association between pathological events during fetal development and future cardiovascular risk, raising concerns about cardiovascular remodelling in fetuses conceived by ART. The authors hypothesise fetuses conceived by ART present signs of cardioventricular dysfunction, which can be detected by deformation analysis. To address these issues, we will assess comprehensive cardiovascular structure and function in ART offspring and explore the role of speckle-tracking in myocardial deformation. METHODS AND ANALYSIS This prospective observational cohort study will include 100 singleton pregnancies conceived by ART and 100 controls identified in fetal life and followed up to 6 months old. At inclusion, a baseline assessment of the mothers and ART characteristics will be recorded by interview and review of medical records. Between 28 and 32 weeks gestation, a detailed fetal echography will be performed, including an assessment of estimated fetal weight, fetoplacental Doppler, fetal echocardiography and fetal abdominal artery ultrasound. On delivery, maternal and neonatal characteristics will be assessed. Within 60 days of birth, the first postnatal cardiovascular assessment will be conducted which will include echocardiography and abdominal artery ultrasound. At 6 months of age, the second infants' follow-up evaluation will include the weight and length of the infant, echocardiography and abdominal artery ultrasound. Data will be presented as mean±SD, median or percentages where appropriate. A p<0.05 will be considered statistically significant. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION Ethical approval has been obtained from the Ethics Committee of Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University. Findings will be disseminated through scientific publications and conference presentations. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER ChiCTR1900021672.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wen-Jing Bi
- Department of Ultrasound, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Li Cui
- Department of Ultrasound, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Yang-Jie Xiao
- Department of Ultrasound, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Guang Song
- Department of Ultrasound, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Xin Wang
- Department of Ultrasound, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Lu Sun
- Department of Ultrasound, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Wei Qiao
- Department of Ultrasound, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Wei-Dong Ren
- Department of Ultrasound, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
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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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Safi-Stibler S, Gabory A. Epigenetics and the Developmental Origins of Health and Disease: Parental environment signalling to the epigenome, critical time windows and sculpting the adult phenotype. Semin Cell Dev Biol 2019; 97:172-180. [PMID: 31587964 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2019.09.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2019] [Revised: 09/19/2019] [Accepted: 09/26/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The literature about Developmental Origins of Health and Disease (DOHaD) studies is considerably growing. Maternal and paternal environment, during all the development of the individual from gametogenesis to weaning and beyond, as well as the psychosocial environment in childhood and teenage, can shape the adult and the elderly person's susceptibility to her/his own environment and diseases. This non-conventional, non-genetic, inheritance is underlain by several mechanisms among which epigenetics is obviously central, due to the notion of memory of early decisional events during development even when this stimulus is gone, that is implied in Waddington's developmental concept. This review first summarizes the different mechanisms by which the environment can model the epigenome: receptor signalling, energy metabolism and signal mechanotransduction from extracellular matrix to chromatin. Then an overview of the epigenetic changes in response to maternal environment during the vulnerability time windows, gametogenesis, early development, placentation and foetal growth, and postnatal period, is described, with the specific example of overnutrition and food deprivation. The implication of epigenetics in DOHaD is obvious, however the precise causal chain from early environment to the epigenome modifications to the phenotype still needs to be deciphered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sofiane Safi-Stibler
- UMR BDR, INRA, ENVA, Université Paris Saclay, 78350, Jouy-en-Josas, France; Sorbonne Université, Collège Doctoral, F-75005, Paris, France
| | - Anne Gabory
- UMR BDR, INRA, ENVA, Université Paris Saclay, 78350, Jouy-en-Josas, France.
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Dong J, Wen L, Guo X, Xiao X, Jiang F, Li B, Jin N, Wang J, Wang X, Chen S, Wang X. The increased expression of glucose transporters in human full-term placentas from assisted reproductive technology without changes of mTOR signaling. Placenta 2019; 86:4-10. [DOI: 10.1016/j.placenta.2019.08.087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2019] [Revised: 08/18/2019] [Accepted: 08/28/2019] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
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Beltran Anzola A, Pauly V, Riviere O, Sambuc R, Boyer P, Vendittelli F, Gervoise-Boyer MJ. Birthweight of IVF children is still a current issue and still related to maternal factors. Reprod Biomed Online 2019; 39:990-999. [PMID: 31740225 DOI: 10.1016/j.rbmo.2019.09.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2019] [Revised: 07/19/2019] [Accepted: 09/24/2019] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
RESEARCH QUESTION Does fresh embryo transfer after IVF with or without intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) increase the small for gestational age (SGA) rate, and frozen embryo transfer (FET) after IVF with or without ICSI increase the large for gestational age (LGA) rate versus natural conception? DESIGN Retrospective comparison of an exposed historical group/cohort involving singletons conceived after fresh embryo transfer and after FET with an unexposed group/cohort involving singletons conceived after a natural conception. RESULTS A total of 1961 fresh embryo transfer babies and 366 FET babies were compared with 6981 natural conception babies. The SGA rate in fresh embryo transfer babies was not significantly different to natural conception babies (6.9% versus 6.8%, P = 0.856). This outcome was not influenced by the fresh embryo transfer (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 1.0; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.8-1.3), but rather by a low rate of multiparity (aOR 0.5; 95% CI 0.3-0.7), advanced maternal age (aOR 1.1; 95% CI 1.0-1.2), maternal underweight (aOR 1.5; 95% CI 1.1-2.1), maternal smoking or cessation during pregnancy (aOR 1.8; 95% CI 1.4-2.3), pre-existing hypertension (aOR 2.3; 95% CI 1.3-4.1) and pregnancy-induced hypertension (aOR 2.5; 95% CI 1.7-3.7). The LGA rate in FET babies was significantly different from natural conception babies (6.6% versus 3.2%, P = 0.012). This outcome was influenced by the transfer of frozen embryos (aOR 2.2; 95% CI 1.3-3.8) and by a high maternal weight (aOR 1.9; 95% CI 1.1-3.6). CONCLUSIONS Maternal background and obstetric parameters are more likely to influence the SGA rate than fresh embryo transfer conception. FET conception could be associated with an increase in LGA rate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Any Beltran Anzola
- EA 3279, Centre d'Etudes et de Recherche sur les Services de Santé et la Qualité de Vie (CEReSS), Aix-Marseille Université, Faculté de Médecine, 27 Boulevard Jean Moulin, Marseille 13005, France; Centre Sainte Colette, Service de Médecine et Biologie de la Reproduction, Hôpital Saint Joseph, 26 Boulevard de Louvain, Marseille 13008, France
| | - Vanessa Pauly
- Service d'Information Médicale, Hôpital de la Conception, Assistance Publique Hôpitaux de Marseille, 147 Boulevard Baille, Marseille 13005, France
| | - Olivier Riviere
- AUDIPOG (Association des Utilisateurs de Dossiers Informatisés en Pédiatrie, Obstétrique et Gynécologie), Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Laennec, 7 Rue Guillaume Paradin, Lyon Cedex 08 69372, France
| | - Roland Sambuc
- EA 3279, Centre d'Etudes et de Recherche sur les Services de Santé et la Qualité de Vie (CEReSS), Aix-Marseille Université, Faculté de Médecine, 27 Boulevard Jean Moulin, Marseille 13005, France; Service d'Information Médicale, Hôpital de la Conception, Assistance Publique Hôpitaux de Marseille, 147 Boulevard Baille, Marseille 13005, France
| | - Pierre Boyer
- Centre Sainte Colette, Service de Médecine et Biologie de la Reproduction, Hôpital Saint Joseph, 26 Boulevard de Louvain, Marseille 13008, France.
| | - Françoise Vendittelli
- AUDIPOG (Association des Utilisateurs de Dossiers Informatisés en Pédiatrie, Obstétrique et Gynécologie), Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Laennec, 7 Rue Guillaume Paradin, Lyon Cedex 08 69372, France; Service de Gynécologie-obstétrique, Université Clermont Auvergne, CNRS, Institut Pascal, CHU de Clermont-Ferrand, 1 Place Lucie-Aubrac, Clermont-Ferrand 63003, France
| | - Marie-José Gervoise-Boyer
- Centre Sainte Colette, Service de Médecine et Biologie de la Reproduction, Hôpital Saint Joseph, 26 Boulevard de Louvain, Marseille 13008, France
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Assisted reproductive technologies are associated with limited epigenetic variation at birth that largely resolves by adulthood. Nat Commun 2019; 10:3922. [PMID: 31477727 PMCID: PMC6718382 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-11929-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2019] [Accepted: 07/30/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
More than 7 million individuals have been conceived by Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ART) and there is clear evidence that ART is associated with a range of adverse early life outcomes, including rare imprinting disorders. The periconception period and early embryogenesis are associated with widespread epigenetic remodeling, which can be influenced by ART, with effects on the developmental trajectory in utero, and potentially on health throughout life. Here we profile genome-wide DNA methylation in blood collected in the newborn period and in adulthood (age 22–35 years) from a unique longitudinal cohort of ART-conceived individuals, previously shown to have no differences in health outcomes in early adulthood compared with non-ART-conceived individuals. We show evidence for specific ART-associated variation in methylation around birth, most of which occurred independently of embryo culturing. Importantly, ART-associated epigenetic variation at birth largely resolves by adulthood with no direct evidence that it impacts on development and health. Use of Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ART) is increasing globally but their impact on long term health remains unclear. Here the authors show that ART-conceived individuals show variation in epigenetic profile at birth that largely resolves by adulthood, with no evidence of an impact on long term outcomes.
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