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The Epigenetic Basis of Adaptation and Responses to Environmental Change: Perspective on Human Reproduction

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Reproductive Sciences in Animal Conservation

Part of the book series: Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology ((AEMB,volume 753))

Abstract

Not only genetic but also epigenetic mechanisms regulate gene expression, cellular differentiation and development processes. Additionally, “environmental epigenetics” studies the interaction between the environment and the epigenome, and its potential role in the regulation of gene activity. Several studies have shown that the impact of environmental exposures on the epigenome takes on more importance during early fertilization and embryonic development, given that during these periods epigenetic reprogramming occurs and the new epigenetic profile of the offspring is established. Epigenetic alterations in the germline are especially relevant since they can be transmitted trans-generationally and could be associated with a wide range of diseases including several reproductive disorders. In this chapter we review some epigenetic mechanisms, focusing mainly on DNA methylation and histone modifications, which are related to reproductive aspects, and we discuss the controversies in the literature surrounding how environmental conditions, such as exposure to toxic substances or treatment with assisted reproductive techniques (ART), may be involved in epigenetic alterations that affect reproductive success.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Cancer Epigenetics Laboratory, Instituto Universitario de Oncología del Principado de Asturias (IUOPA), HUCA, Universidad de Oviedo, C/Dr. Emilio Rodríguez Vigil, s/n., Bloque polivalente A, 4° planta, Oviedo, 33006, Asturias, Spain

    Agustín F. Fernández Ph.D., Estela García Toraño Ph.D., Rocío González Urdinguio Ph.D. & Mario F. Fraga Ph.D.

  2. Embryology, FIV4-Instituto de Reproducción Humana, Oviedo, Asturias, Spain

    Abel Gayo Lana Ph.D.

  3. Gynecology, FIV4-Instituto de Reproducción Humana, Oviedo, Asturias, Spain

    Ignacio Arnott Fernández M.D.

  4. Department of Immunology and Oncology, Centro Nacional de Biotecnología/CNB-CSIC, Cantoblanco, Madrid, 28049, Spain

    Mario F. Fraga Ph.D.

Authors
  1. Agustín F. Fernández Ph.D.
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  2. Estela García Toraño Ph.D.
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  3. Rocío González Urdinguio Ph.D.
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  4. Abel Gayo Lana Ph.D.
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  5. Ignacio Arnott Fernández M.D.
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  6. Mario F. Fraga Ph.D.
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Correspondence to Mario F. Fraga Ph.D. .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Human Metabolism, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom

    William V. Holt

  2. Center for Species Survival, Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute, Front Royal, Virginia, USA

    Janine L. Brown

  3. Center for Species Survival, Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute, Front Royal, Virginia, USA

    Pierre Comizzoli

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Fernández, A.F., Toraño, E.G., Urdinguio, R.G., Lana, A.G., Fernández, I.A., Fraga, M.F. (2014). The Epigenetic Basis of Adaptation and Responses to Environmental Change: Perspective on Human Reproduction. In: Holt, W., Brown, J., Comizzoli, P. (eds) Reproductive Sciences in Animal Conservation. Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology, vol 753. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-0820-2_6

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