Options and Periods of Epigenetic Influences on the Development of the Fetus

Abstract

Aim: To analyze modern research on the variants and frequency of epigenetic effects on fetal development. Key points. Epigenetic influences provide operational adaptation to the conditions of existence. Immediately after fertilization, the first wave of demethylation, “erasing” of methylation marks of parental gametes. After implantation, the first wave of methylation in blastocyst is carried out. The second wave of demethylation takes place at the beginning of the development of gametes. We know three types of epigenetic effects in the process of ontogenesis: direct influences of life experience refers to changes that occur in human life and caused by “direct life experience” of its adaptation to the conditions of existence. External indirect influences (transgenerations) are an impact of epigenetic changes that have developed in previous generations (both intrauterine and postnatally). Obviously, external indirect influences have a faster route for the transfer of hereditary information in comparison with the genetic mechanisms of inheritance. Conclusion. Thus, the expansion of our ideas about the epigenetics allows you to see in it the most important mechanism for the adaptation to the conditions of the external environment both on the organism and in the population levels. Keywords: development, epigenetics, ontogenesis, methylation, histone modifications, chromatin remodeling, noncoding RNAs.