DNA Methylation: A Key Regulator in Male and Female Reproductive Outcomes
DNA methylation is a well-studied epigenetic modification that regulates gene expression, maintains genome integrity, and influences cell fate. It is strictly regulated by a group of enzymes known as DNA methyltransferases (DNMTs). Most DNA methylation occurs at cytosines within symmetrical CpG dinu...
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2025-07-01
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| author | Adedeji O. Adetunji Henrietta Owusu Esiosa F. Adewale Precious Adedayo Adesina Christian Xedzro Tolulope Peter Saliu Shahidul Islam Zhendong Zhu Olanrewaju B. Morenikeji |
| author_facet | Adedeji O. Adetunji Henrietta Owusu Esiosa F. Adewale Precious Adedayo Adesina Christian Xedzro Tolulope Peter Saliu Shahidul Islam Zhendong Zhu Olanrewaju B. Morenikeji |
| author_sort | Adedeji O. Adetunji |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | DNA methylation is a well-studied epigenetic modification that regulates gene expression, maintains genome integrity, and influences cell fate. It is strictly regulated by a group of enzymes known as DNA methyltransferases (DNMTs). Most DNA methylation occurs at cytosines within symmetrical CpG dinucleotide base pairs, often located at gene promoters or other regulatory elements. Thus, methylation of a promoter CpG island leads to stable transcriptional repression of the associated gene. Nonetheless, abnormal gene expression caused by alterations in DNA methylation has been linked to infertility in both males and females, as well as to reproductive potential and improper post-fertilization embryo development. Recent epigenetic advancements have highlighted the significant association between epigenetic modification and reproductive health outcomes, garnering considerable attention. In this review, we explore significant advancements in understanding DNA methylation, emphasizing its establishment, maintenance, and functions in male and female reproductive sex cells. We also shed light on the recent discoveries on the influence of environmental exposures, nutrition, infection, stress, and lifestyle choices on DNA methylation. Finally, we discuss the latest insights and future directions concerning the diverse functions of DNA methylation in reproductive outcomes. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-9a719581cfd14e438595c2f566a7561b |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2075-1729 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-07-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Life |
| spelling | doaj-art-9a719581cfd14e438595c2f566a7561b2025-08-20T03:58:30ZengMDPI AGLife2075-17292025-07-01157110910.3390/life15071109DNA Methylation: A Key Regulator in Male and Female Reproductive OutcomesAdedeji O. Adetunji0Henrietta Owusu1Esiosa F. Adewale2Precious Adedayo Adesina3Christian Xedzro4Tolulope Peter Saliu5Shahidul Islam6Zhendong Zhu7Olanrewaju B. Morenikeji8Department of Agriculture, University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, Pine Bluff, AR 71601, USADepartment of Agriculture, University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, Pine Bluff, AR 71601, USADepartment of Biology, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY 40292, USANational Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, Division for Pre-Clinical Innovation, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20850, USALaboratory of Food Microbiology and Hygiene, Hiroshima University, Higashihiroshima 739-8528, JapanDepartment of Physiology, College of Medicine, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40536, USADepartment of Agriculture, University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, Pine Bluff, AR 71601, USACollege of Animal Science and Technology, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao 266109, ChinaDepartment of Biological and Health Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Bradford, PA 16701, USADNA methylation is a well-studied epigenetic modification that regulates gene expression, maintains genome integrity, and influences cell fate. It is strictly regulated by a group of enzymes known as DNA methyltransferases (DNMTs). Most DNA methylation occurs at cytosines within symmetrical CpG dinucleotide base pairs, often located at gene promoters or other regulatory elements. Thus, methylation of a promoter CpG island leads to stable transcriptional repression of the associated gene. Nonetheless, abnormal gene expression caused by alterations in DNA methylation has been linked to infertility in both males and females, as well as to reproductive potential and improper post-fertilization embryo development. Recent epigenetic advancements have highlighted the significant association between epigenetic modification and reproductive health outcomes, garnering considerable attention. In this review, we explore significant advancements in understanding DNA methylation, emphasizing its establishment, maintenance, and functions in male and female reproductive sex cells. We also shed light on the recent discoveries on the influence of environmental exposures, nutrition, infection, stress, and lifestyle choices on DNA methylation. Finally, we discuss the latest insights and future directions concerning the diverse functions of DNA methylation in reproductive outcomes.https://www.mdpi.com/2075-1729/15/7/1109DNA methylationepigenetic modificationageinfectionsteroidslifestyle |
| spellingShingle | Adedeji O. Adetunji Henrietta Owusu Esiosa F. Adewale Precious Adedayo Adesina Christian Xedzro Tolulope Peter Saliu Shahidul Islam Zhendong Zhu Olanrewaju B. Morenikeji DNA Methylation: A Key Regulator in Male and Female Reproductive Outcomes Life DNA methylation epigenetic modification age infection steroids lifestyle |
| title | DNA Methylation: A Key Regulator in Male and Female Reproductive Outcomes |
| title_full | DNA Methylation: A Key Regulator in Male and Female Reproductive Outcomes |
| title_fullStr | DNA Methylation: A Key Regulator in Male and Female Reproductive Outcomes |
| title_full_unstemmed | DNA Methylation: A Key Regulator in Male and Female Reproductive Outcomes |
| title_short | DNA Methylation: A Key Regulator in Male and Female Reproductive Outcomes |
| title_sort | dna methylation a key regulator in male and female reproductive outcomes |
| topic | DNA methylation epigenetic modification age infection steroids lifestyle |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2075-1729/15/7/1109 |
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