Epigenetic: A new approach to etiology of infertility
Abstract: Infertility is a
complex disease which could be caused by male and female factors. The etiology
from both factors needs further study. There are some approaches to
understanding the etiology of infertility, one of them is epigenetic.
Epigenetic modifications consist of DNA methylation, histone modifications, and
chromatin remodelling. Male and female germinal cells undergo epigenetic
modifications dynamically during differentiation into matured sperm and oocyte
cells. In a male, the alteration of DNA methylation in spermatogenesis will
cause oligo/asthenozoospermia. In addition, the histone methylation,
acetylation, or other histone modification may lead sperm lose its ability to
fertilize oocyte. Similarly, in a female, the alteration of DNA methylation and
histone modification affects oogenesis, created aneuploidy in fertilized
oocytes and resulted in embryonic death in the uterus. Alteration of these
epigenetic modification patterns will cause infertility, both in male and
female.
Keywords: epigenetic alteration;
epigenetic modification; female infertility; male infertility
Author: Silvia W. Lestari,
Meidika D. Rizki
Journal Code: jpkedokterangg160314
