Research progress of imprinted gene H19 methylation in the field of assisted reproduction / 医学研究生学报

The imprinted gene H19, one of the maternally imprinted gene which had been found long time ago, is highly expressed in early embryo. It mainly concentrates in endoderm and mesoderm which plays an important role in regulating the development of embryos and in control of off spring behavior. More and more studies have shown that the alterations of methylation status in CpG islands of H19 gene imprinted control region will lead to the decline of male sperm quality and female oocyte quality, then affecting human fertility. Imprinting gene H19 is also related to the development of the embryo. This article reviews the progress of methylation of the imprinted gene H19 in assisted reproductive technology.