विवरण
Infertility affects 10% of the reproductive-age population. Even the most successful treatments such as assisted reproductive technologies still result in failed implantation. Despite the underlying infertility etiology, epigenetic modifications as a result of the infertility treatment have been implicated in chronic long-term disease.The age related epigenetic changes have been found in female reproductive organs, and the effect of the changes that may contribute to reproductive outcomes.
सारांश
- **Basic Genetics and DNA**
- The fundamental instructions for all human activities are encoded in DNA. Human and chimpanzee DNA differ by only about 1%, a small fraction that makes humans unique. Human DNA comprises approximately 3 billion nucleotide bases, with four types: adenine (A), thymine (T), guanine (G), and cytosine (C). These bases always pair A with T and G with C, and their sequence determines life instructions. Only about 1% of the 3 billion bases is the real difference between humans and chimpanzees (approximately 15 million bases).
- **Epigenetics Defined**
- Epigenetics refers to external modifications to DNA that can switch genes on or off, affecting how cells read the DNA without altering the underlying sequence. The reason why different cell types like skin and brain cells look different despite having the same DNA is because of epigenetics. The term "epigenetics," coined in 1942, comes from the Greek word "epigenesis," originally referring to how genetic processes influence development.
- **How Epigenetics Works**
- Epigenetics involves chemical changes to DNA and its associated proteins, histones. DNA methylation and histone modification are key mechanisms. A "marked gene" doesn't change DNA sequence but alters how cells interpret instructions. These marks can be passed on during cell division and even across generations.
- **DNA Methylation and Histone Modification**
- DNA methylation, the attachment of a small chemical group (methyl group), is a common epigenetic modification. Histone modification affects chromosome function through electrostatic charges and by influencing DNA's accessibility. Histone proteins are crucial for supercoiling DNA to fit inside cells; modifications that relax this coiling make DNA accessible for gene expression.
- **MicroRNA and Gene Regulation**
- MicroRNAs, also known as non-coding RNAs (NCRNAs), play a regulatory role by binding to the 3' prime region of messenger RNA, stopping the production of specific proteins. The DNA has two strands one goes from 5' to 3' and other from 3' to 5'. This creates a positive and negative feedback mechanism, ensuring proteins are produced and degraded at appropriate times.
- **Environmental Influences on Epigenetics and Infertility**
- Lifestyle factors like diet, pollutants, smoking, stress, and radiation can affect sperm and other cells. During embryonic development, some DNA errors can be repaired through reprogramming, while others are passed on to subsequent generations. The extent to which an error will affect subsequent generations depends on the threshold level of error.
- **Inheritance and Lifestyle Factors**
- Epigenetic factors can be inherited, with the effects of smoking or other lifestyle choices potentially passing through generations. Whether a gene is switched on or off depends on the interaction between the inherent nature of DNA and environmental nurture. Lifestyle factors, including diet, obesity, physical activity, smoking, alcohol consumption, and stress, significantly influence epigenetic patterns.
- **Psychological Stress and Positive Feedback**
- Psychological stress can greatly impact infertility. Lifestyle modifications such as diet, yoga, and therapy, and a positive mindset can improve reproductive outcomes.
नमूना प्रमाण पत्र
वक्ताओं के बारे में
Dr Chandan
Clinical Embryology Scientist, Director Lanka institute of Embryology and Andrology Training, Colombo Scientific Director for Aikya Fertility center and Aikya Embryology Training, Banglore
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