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Unravelling the role of epigenetics in reproductive adaptations to early-life environment

Bar-Sadeh, Ben; Rudnizky, Sergei; Pnueli, Lilach; Bentley, Gillian R.; St�ger, Reinhard; Kaplan, Ariel; Melamed, Philippa

Authors

Ben Bar-Sadeh

Sergei Rudnizky

Lilach Pnueli

Gillian R. Bentley

Ariel Kaplan

Philippa Melamed



Abstract

© 2020, Springer Nature Limited. Reproductive function adjusts in response to environmental conditions in order to optimize success. In humans, this plasticity includes age of pubertal onset, hormone levels and age at menopause. These reproductive characteristics vary across populations with distinct lifestyles and following specific childhood events, and point to a role for the early-life environment in shaping adult reproductive trajectories. Epigenetic mechanisms respond to external signals, exert long-term effects on gene expression and have been shown in animal and cellular studies to regulate normal reproductive function, strongly implicating their role in these adaptations. Moreover, human cohort data have revealed differential DNA methylation signatures in proxy tissues that are associated with reproductive phenotypic variation, although the cause–effect relationships are difficult to discern, calling for additional complementary approaches to establish functionality. In this Review, we summarize how adult reproductive function can be shaped by childhood events. We discuss why the influence of the childhood environment on adult reproductive function is an important consideration in understanding how reproduction is regulated and necessitates consideration by clinicians treating women with diverse life histories. The resolution of the molecular mechanisms responsible for human reproductive plasticity could also lead to new approaches for intervention by targeting these epigenetic modifications.

Citation

Bar-Sadeh, B., Rudnizky, S., Pnueli, L., Bentley, G. R., Stöger, R., Kaplan, A., & Melamed, P. (2020). Unravelling the role of epigenetics in reproductive adaptations to early-life environment. Nature Reviews Endocrinology, 16, 519-533. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41574-020-0370-8

Journal Article Type Article
Acceptance Date May 11, 2020
Online Publication Date Jul 3, 2020
Publication Date Sep 1, 2020
Deposit Date Aug 24, 2020
Journal Nature Reviews Endocrinology
Print ISSN 1759-5029
Electronic ISSN 1759-5037
Publisher Nature Publishing Group
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 16
Pages 519-533
DOI https://doi.org/10.1038/s41574-020-0370-8
Keywords Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism; Endocrinology
Public URL https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/4747141
Publisher URL https://www.nature.com/articles/s41574-020-0370-8