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DNA methylation and gene expression changes derived from assisted reproductive technologies can be decreased by reproductive fluids.

Published version
Peer-reviewed

Type

Article

Change log

Authors

Ivanova, Elena 
Romar, Raquel 
García-Martínez, Soledad 
Soriano-Úbeda, Cristina 

Abstract

The number of children born since the origin of Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ART) exceeds 5 million. The majority seem healthy, but a higher frequency of defects has been reported among ART-conceived infants, suggesting an epigenetic cost. We report the first whole-genome DNA methylation datasets from single pig blastocysts showing differences between in vivo and in vitro produced embryos. Blastocysts were produced in vitro either without (C-IVF) or in the presence of natural reproductive fluids (Natur-IVF). Natur-IVF embryos were of higher quality than C-IVF in terms of cell number and hatching ability. RNA-Seq and DNA methylation analyses showed that Natur-IVF embryos have expression and methylation patterns closer to in vivo blastocysts. Genes involved in reprogramming, imprinting and development were affected by culture, with fewer aberrations in Natur-IVF embryos. Methylation analysis detected methylated changes in C-IVF, but not in Natur-IVF, at genes whose methylation could be critical, such as IGF2R and NNAT.

Description

Keywords

In vitro fertilization, blastocyst, developmental biology, epigenetics, imprinting, pig, reproductive secretions, stem cells, Animals, Blastocyst, Congenital Abnormalities, Culture Media, DNA, DNA Methylation, Disease Models, Animal, Gene Expression, Gene Expression Profiling, Reproductive Techniques, Assisted, Swine

Journal Title

Elife

Conference Name

Journal ISSN

2050-084X
2050-084X

Volume Title

6

Publisher

eLife Sciences Publications, Ltd