Reproduction and nutriment-nurture crosstalk: epigenetic perspectives

Epigenetics refers to the acquisition and maintenance of heritable states of gene expression that occurs above the level of genetics through alterations in chromatin structure and accessibility. The field of epigenetics has moved much ahead from an emerging science and is growing at a faster pace, as there is increased realization about nutriment and nurture-epigenetic-phenotype relationship. Scientific studies concerning epigenetic changes in the genome in a systematic and genome-wide way provide clinching evidence for epigenetic interactions of environmental and lifestyle factors with genes and determine the reproductive outcomes and health. The epigenetic mechanisms are traditionally studied as DNA methylation, histone modifications, ATP-dependent chromatin remodeling, and noncoding RNA-mediated regulation. In the present review, we have presented an overview of the epigenetics evolved from the interaction and confluence of reproduction and nutrient environment. Besides, our experience with DNA methylation and chromatin modification of the cytochrome P450 aromatase (CYP19) gene is also presented. Understanding the emergence of paradigm shift in the reproductive epigenetics appears important as it will open up new vistas for viewing the impact of environment and dietary components on regulation of gene expression concerning the reproductive events and health conditions.