Epigenetics and Reproductive Health

Epigenetics and Reproductive Health, a new volume in the Translational Epigenetics series, provides a thorough overview and discussion of epigenetics in reproduction and implications for reproductive medicine. Twenty international researchers discuss epigenetic mechanisms operating during the formation of male and female gametes, fertilization and subsequent embryo and placental development, particularly in mammals and transgenerational epigenetic inheritance. This volume also addresses aberrant epigenetic changes influencing male and female infertility, pregnancy related disorders, and those potentially linked to therapeutic manipulations and assisted reproductive technologies. Emphasis is placed on identifying biomarkers for early detection of aberrant epigenetic mechanisms.

Later chapters examine the possibility of correcting these epigenetic dysfunctions, as well as current challenges and next steps in research, enabling new translational discoveries and efforts towards developing therapeutics.

Thoroughly examines the influence of aberrant epigenetics during gametogenesis and embryogenesis, affecting parents, gametes and embryos, offspring and future generationsExplores health outcomes for reproductive senescence, endocrine disruption, testicular cancer, prostrate cancer, breast cancer, ovarian, cancer, endometrial cancer and cervical cancersFeatures chapter contributions from international researchers in the field

SECTION I Spermatogenesis, oogenesis and fertility CHAPTER 1 Epigenome reprogramming in the male and female germ line CHAPTER 2 Genomic imprinting CHAPTER 3 Chromatin remodeling of the male genome during spermiogenesis and embryo development CHAPTER 4 Epigenetic regulation in stem cells CHAPTER 5 Aberrant epigenetics and reproductive disorders

SECTION II Pregnancy/developmental/placental epigenetics CHAPTER 6 Epigenetic reprogramming in the embryo CHAPTER 7 Epigenetic regulation during placentation CHAPTER 8 Epigenetic modulation during pregnancy and pregnancy related disorders CHAPTER 9 Epigenetic involvement in fetal and neonatal origins of late-onset disease

SECTION III Epigenetic – lifestyle, aging and environmental influence CHAPTER 10 Impact of environmental chemicals and endocrine disruptors on mammalian germ cell epigenome CHAPTER 11 Influence of nutrition on reproductive health through epigenetic mechanisms CHAPTER 12 Influence of stress and lifestyle on epigenetic modifications CHAPTER 13 Aging of male and female gametes

SECTION IV Reproductive cancer and epigenetics CHAPTER 14 Testicular and prostate cancers CHAPTER 15 Emerging patterns and implications of breast cancer epigenetics: an update of the current knowledge CHAPTER 16 Ovarian & endometrial cancers CHAPTER 17 Epigenetic aberrations in cervical cancer

SECTION V Epigenetics in diagnosis, prognosis and therapy CHAPTER 18 Natural molecules as epigenetic modifiers in reproduction