Parenting from before conception

At fertilization, the gametes endow the embryo with a genomic blueprint, the integrity of which is affected by the age and environmental exposures of both parents. Recent studies reveal that parental history and experiences also exert effects through epigenomic information not contained in the DNA s...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Science (American Association for the Advancement of Science) 2014-08, Vol.345 (6198), p.756-760
Main Authors: Lane, Michelle, Robker, Rebecca L., Robertson, Sarah A.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
Embryo, Mammalian - physiology
Embryonic Development
Embryos
Epigenesis, Genetic
Epigenetics
Fathers
Female
Fertilization
Genomics
Heredity
Humans
Integrity
Male
Maternal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena
Methylation
Mitochondria
Mothers
Oocytes - physiology
Parents
Patterning
Pregnancy
Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects
REVIEWS
RNA, Untranslated - metabolism
Semen - physiology
Spermatozoa - physiology
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Summary:At fertilization, the gametes endow the embryo with a genomic blueprint, the integrity of which is affected by the age and environmental exposures of both parents. Recent studies reveal that parental history and experiences also exert effects through epigenomic information not contained in the DNA sequence, including variations in sperm and oocyte cytosine methylation and chromatin patterning, noncoding RNAs, and mitochondria. Transgenerational epigenetic effects interact with conditions at conception to program the developmental trajectory of the embryo and fetus, ultimately affecting the lifetime health of the child. These insights compel us to revise generally held notions to accommodate the prospect that biological parenting commences well before birth, even prior to conception.
ISSN:0036-8075
1095-9203
DOI:10.1126/science.1254400