Genomic imprinting in bovine oocytes

What is it about?

The successful progression through key morphological and biochemical events of the oocyte growth phase ultimately affects the developmental potential of the resulting ovulated oocyte. This study involved investigating DNA methylation at imprinted genes and the expression of DNA methyltransferase genes, in growing and fully grown bovine oocytes. These genes are vital for development and inappropriate regulation/expression of them is known to have a detrimental impact on early mammalian development.

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Why is it important?

At the time of publication much research had been carried out on imprinted genes in mouse and human; however, little was known about DNA methylation dynamics at imprinted loci in bovine. This study identified that; - DNA methylation at imprinted loci occurs during oocyte growth - IGF2R is imprinted in bovine - DNMT3L is during oocyte growth - sex specific isoforms of DNMT3 are present in bovine This study highlights that the bovine model could prove useful in further identifying factors involved with the relationship between maternal environment and imprinting defects in a uniparous animal system.