Epigenetic Alterations in Ovarian Function and Their Impact on Assisted Reproductive Technologies: A Systematic Review

<b>Background</b>: Epigenetic modifications have an important role in controlling ovarian function, modulating ovarian response and implantation success in Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ART). The alterations, such as DNA methylation and non-coding RNA control, have been identified...

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Main Authors: Charalampos Voros, Antonia Varthaliti, Despoina Mavrogianni, Diamantis Athanasiou, Antonia Athanasiou, Aikaterini Athanasiou, Anthi-Maria Papahliou, Constantinos G. Zografos, Vasileios Topalis, Panagiota Kondili, Menelaos Darlas, Sophia Sina, Maria Anastasia Daskalaki, Marianna Theodora, Panos Antsaklis, Georgios Daskalakis
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-03-01
Series:Biomedicines
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9059/13/3/730
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author Charalampos Voros
Antonia Varthaliti
Despoina Mavrogianni
Diamantis Athanasiou
Antonia Athanasiou
Aikaterini Athanasiou
Anthi-Maria Papahliou
Constantinos G. Zografos
Vasileios Topalis
Panagiota Kondili
Menelaos Darlas
Sophia Sina
Maria Anastasia Daskalaki
Marianna Theodora
Panos Antsaklis
Georgios Daskalakis
author_facet Charalampos Voros
Antonia Varthaliti
Despoina Mavrogianni
Diamantis Athanasiou
Antonia Athanasiou
Aikaterini Athanasiou
Anthi-Maria Papahliou
Constantinos G. Zografos
Vasileios Topalis
Panagiota Kondili
Menelaos Darlas
Sophia Sina
Maria Anastasia Daskalaki
Marianna Theodora
Panos Antsaklis
Georgios Daskalakis
author_sort Charalampos Voros
collection DOAJ
description <b>Background</b>: Epigenetic modifications have an important role in controlling ovarian function, modulating ovarian response and implantation success in Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ART). The alterations, such as DNA methylation and non-coding RNA control, have been identified as key variables regulating ovarian physiology and reproductive outcomes. This systematic review investigates the significance of epigenetic pathways in ovarian function, with an emphasis on their effect on ART success rates. <b>Methods</b>: A thorough search of the PubMed, Scopus, and EMBASE databases was performed to find articles published between 2015 and 2024 that investigated the connection between epigenetic changes and ovarian function in ART patients. Studies that examined miRNA expression, DNA methylation, and histone changes in follicular fluid, granulosa cells, and embryos were included. The study followed the PRISMA recommendations to guarantee scientific rigor and repeatability. The data were combined into a thorough study of epigenetic markers linked to ovarian aging, ovarian reserve, and implantation success. <b>Results</b>: A total of 15 studies satisfied the inclusion criteria, with substantial relationships found between distinct epigenetic markers and ovarian function. Changes in miRNA expression patterns in follicular fluid and granulosa cells were associated with oocyte maturation, ovarian reserve, and implantation potential. Women with low ovarian reserve and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) have different DNA methylation patterns. MiR-27a-3p and miR-15a-5p were shown to be involved with granulosa cell malfunction and poor ovarian response, whereas global DNA hypomethylation was linked to ovarian aging and ART results. <b>Conclusions</b>: Epigenetic alterations affect ovarian function via pathways that control hormone signaling, follicular development, and implantation success. Further study is needed to determine the practical applicability of epigenetic biomarkers in predicting ART effectiveness and enhancing patient treatment procedures.
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spelling doaj-art-5e10920adb8c45b481d066cdd9f4080f2025-08-20T03:43:34ZengMDPI AGBiomedicines2227-90592025-03-0113373010.3390/biomedicines13030730Epigenetic Alterations in Ovarian Function and Their Impact on Assisted Reproductive Technologies: A Systematic ReviewCharalampos Voros0Antonia Varthaliti1Despoina Mavrogianni2Diamantis Athanasiou3Antonia Athanasiou4Aikaterini Athanasiou5Anthi-Maria Papahliou6Constantinos G. Zografos7Vasileios Topalis8Panagiota Kondili9Menelaos Darlas10Sophia Sina11Maria Anastasia Daskalaki12Marianna Theodora13Panos Antsaklis14Georgios Daskalakis151st Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, ‘Alexandra’ General Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 80 Vasilissis Sofias Avenue, 11528 Athens, Greece1st Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, ‘Alexandra’ General Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 80 Vasilissis Sofias Avenue, 11528 Athens, Greece1st Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, ‘Alexandra’ General Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 80 Vasilissis Sofias Avenue, 11528 Athens, GreeceIVF Athens Reproduction Center V. Athanasiou, 15123 Maroussi, GreeceIVF Athens Reproduction Center V. Athanasiou, 15123 Maroussi, GreeceIVF Athens Reproduction Center V. Athanasiou, 15123 Maroussi, Greece1st Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, ‘Alexandra’ General Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 80 Vasilissis Sofias Avenue, 11528 Athens, Greece2nd Surgical Department, General Hospital of Athens “ LAIKO”, 11527 Athens, GreeceDepartment of Internal Medicine, Hospital of Thun, 3600 Thun, Switzerland1st Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, ‘Alexandra’ General Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 80 Vasilissis Sofias Avenue, 11528 Athens, Greece1st Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, ‘Alexandra’ General Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 80 Vasilissis Sofias Avenue, 11528 Athens, Greece1st Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, ‘Alexandra’ General Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 80 Vasilissis Sofias Avenue, 11528 Athens, Greece1st Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, ‘Alexandra’ General Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 80 Vasilissis Sofias Avenue, 11528 Athens, Greece1st Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, ‘Alexandra’ General Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 80 Vasilissis Sofias Avenue, 11528 Athens, Greece1st Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, ‘Alexandra’ General Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 80 Vasilissis Sofias Avenue, 11528 Athens, Greece1st Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, ‘Alexandra’ General Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 80 Vasilissis Sofias Avenue, 11528 Athens, Greece<b>Background</b>: Epigenetic modifications have an important role in controlling ovarian function, modulating ovarian response and implantation success in Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ART). The alterations, such as DNA methylation and non-coding RNA control, have been identified as key variables regulating ovarian physiology and reproductive outcomes. This systematic review investigates the significance of epigenetic pathways in ovarian function, with an emphasis on their effect on ART success rates. <b>Methods</b>: A thorough search of the PubMed, Scopus, and EMBASE databases was performed to find articles published between 2015 and 2024 that investigated the connection between epigenetic changes and ovarian function in ART patients. Studies that examined miRNA expression, DNA methylation, and histone changes in follicular fluid, granulosa cells, and embryos were included. The study followed the PRISMA recommendations to guarantee scientific rigor and repeatability. The data were combined into a thorough study of epigenetic markers linked to ovarian aging, ovarian reserve, and implantation success. <b>Results</b>: A total of 15 studies satisfied the inclusion criteria, with substantial relationships found between distinct epigenetic markers and ovarian function. Changes in miRNA expression patterns in follicular fluid and granulosa cells were associated with oocyte maturation, ovarian reserve, and implantation potential. Women with low ovarian reserve and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) have different DNA methylation patterns. MiR-27a-3p and miR-15a-5p were shown to be involved with granulosa cell malfunction and poor ovarian response, whereas global DNA hypomethylation was linked to ovarian aging and ART results. <b>Conclusions</b>: Epigenetic alterations affect ovarian function via pathways that control hormone signaling, follicular development, and implantation success. Further study is needed to determine the practical applicability of epigenetic biomarkers in predicting ART effectiveness and enhancing patient treatment procedures.https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9059/13/3/730infertilityovarian functionfertilityepigenetic alterationsDNA methylation
spellingShingle Charalampos Voros
Antonia Varthaliti
Despoina Mavrogianni
Diamantis Athanasiou
Antonia Athanasiou
Aikaterini Athanasiou
Anthi-Maria Papahliou
Constantinos G. Zografos
Vasileios Topalis
Panagiota Kondili
Menelaos Darlas
Sophia Sina
Maria Anastasia Daskalaki
Marianna Theodora
Panos Antsaklis
Georgios Daskalakis
Epigenetic Alterations in Ovarian Function and Their Impact on Assisted Reproductive Technologies: A Systematic Review
Biomedicines
infertility
ovarian function
fertility
epigenetic alterations
DNA methylation
title Epigenetic Alterations in Ovarian Function and Their Impact on Assisted Reproductive Technologies: A Systematic Review
title_full Epigenetic Alterations in Ovarian Function and Their Impact on Assisted Reproductive Technologies: A Systematic Review
title_fullStr Epigenetic Alterations in Ovarian Function and Their Impact on Assisted Reproductive Technologies: A Systematic Review
title_full_unstemmed Epigenetic Alterations in Ovarian Function and Their Impact on Assisted Reproductive Technologies: A Systematic Review
title_short Epigenetic Alterations in Ovarian Function and Their Impact on Assisted Reproductive Technologies: A Systematic Review
title_sort epigenetic alterations in ovarian function and their impact on assisted reproductive technologies a systematic review
topic infertility
ovarian function
fertility
epigenetic alterations
DNA methylation
url https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9059/13/3/730
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