1;Preface to the Series;62;Foreword;82.1;References;103;Contents;124;Contributors;145;Part I: Medical Aspects and Questions Raised on the Molecular Basis of Epigenome Involvement in Reproduction;185.1;Chapter 1: Potential Epigenetic Consequences Associated with Assisted Reproduction;195.1.1;1.1 Introduction;205.1.2;1.2 ARTs and the Timing of Epigenetic Events during Gametogenesis and Embryogenesis;205.1.2.1;1.2.1 Gamete Development;215.1.2.2;1.2.2 Preimplantation Embryo Development;225.1.3;1.3 Assisted Reproduction and Imprinting Disorders;225.1.4;1.4 Searching for Epigenetic Abnormalities in Children Conceived Using ARTs;245.1.5;1.5 Underlying Infertility as a Contributor to Imprinting Defects After ART;255.1.6;1.6 Techniques Used in ART and Imprinting Defects;275.1.7;1.7 Assisted Reproduction and Other Potential Epigenetic Effects;275.1.8;1.8 Lessons from Animal Models: Mimicking Techniques Used in Human-Assisted Reproduction;285.1.8.1;1.8.1 Superovulation and Gamete Manipulation;285.1.8.2;1.8.2 Embryo Culture;295.1.9;1.9 Future Directions;305.1.10;References;315.2;Chapter 2: Germ Cell Cancer, Testicular Dysgenesis Syndrome and Epigenetics;355.2.1;2.1 Introduction;365.2.2;2.2 Epigenetics in Testicular Development: From Specification of Primordial Gem Cells to Formation of the Gonads;365.2.3;2.3 TDS: A Collection of Reproductive Disorders with a Possible Common Pathogenesis;395.2.3.1;2.3.1 Testicular Cancer;395.2.3.2;2.3.2 Undescended Testis and Hypospadias;415.2.3.3;2.3.3 Impaired Spermatogenesis with Developmental Aetiology;415.2.4;2.4 Endocrine Disrupters and Their Possible Influence on Epigenetic Patterns;425.2.4.1;2.4.1 Evidence from Human Studies;425.2.4.2;2.4.2 Evidence from Studies in Animals;435.2.5;2.5 Epigenetics of Germ Cell Tumors and Testicular Dysgenesis;445.2.5.1;2.5.1 Chromatin Changes;445.2.5.2;2.5.2 Methylation Profiles of Specific Genes Important for Pluripotency and Tumorigenesis;465.2.5.3;2.5.3 X-Linked Genes and XIST Expression;475.2.5.4;2.5.4 Gene Imprinting;485.2.5.5;2.5.5 Possible Involvement of miRNAs in TGCTs and Neoplastic Transformation;505.2.6;2.6 Open Questions and Perspectives;515.2.7;References;525.3;Chapter 3: Medical Implications of Sperm Nuclear Quality;615.3.1;3.1 Fundamental Knowledge on Sperm Genome and Proteome/Epigenome Constitution;625.3.1.1;3.1.1 Changes in Sperm Nuclear Composition and Structure During Spermatogenesis;625.3.1.2;3.1.2 Sperm Cell Nuclear Proteome;645.3.1.3;3.1.3 Sperm Cell Epigenome;695.3.2;3.2 Approaches/Tests for Exploring Sperm Nuclear Quality in Human Infertility;725.3.2.1;3.2.1 Sperm DNA Quality and Integrity;725.3.2.2;3.2.2 Measurement of the Protamine Content in Infertile Patients;765.3.2.3;3.2.3 Correlation Between Protamines and Sperm DNA Integrity;795.3.3;3.3 Sperm Nuclear Quality and Outcome of ART;805.3.4;3.4 Present Limitations of Sperm Nuclear Quality Assessment and Open Questions;845.3.5;References;855.4;Chapter 4: Gene Expression/Phenotypic Abnormalities in Placental Tissues of Sheep Clones: Insurmountable Block in Cloning Progress?;1005.4.1;4.1 Introduction;1005.4.2;4.2 Abnormal Nuclear Reprogramming in Clones and Related Placental Phenotypes;1025.4.3;4.3 Possible Directions to Improve SCNT;1065.4.4;4.4 Concluding Remarks;1085.4.5;References;1096;Part II: Fundamental Aspects of Genome and Epigenome Reprogramming During Gametogenesis;1126.1;Chapter 5: Epigenetic Reprogramming Associated with Primordial Germ Cell Development;1136.1.1;5.1 Introduction;1136.1.1.1;5.1.1 From Fertilization to the Specification of the New Germ Cell Lineage;1146.1.2;5.2 A Brief Overview of the Epigenetic Reprogramming During PGC Development;1166.1.3;5.3 The Cell Cycle State of PGCs;1186.1.4;5.4 Genome-Wide DNA Demethylation in Migrating PGCs;1196.1.5;5.5 Genome-Wide Demethylation of H3K9me2 in Migrating PGCs;1206.1.6;5.6 Global Transcriptional Repression in Migrating PGCs;1216.1.7;5.7 Genome-Wide Upregulation