ISSN 0300-9092 (Print)
ISSN 2412-5679 (Online)

Epigenetic regulation of reproductive potential: from folliculogenesis to implantation

Amyan T.S., Patskova P.O., Kurushin N.D., Timofeeva A.V., Gavisova A.A.

Academician V.I. Kulakov National Medical Research Centre for Obstetrics, Gynecology and Perinatology, Ministry of Health of Russia, Moscow, Russia

Epigenetic regulation plays an important role in the ovarian function. It determines the ovarian response to hormonal stimulation and the embryo implantation potential in assisted reproduction. Epigenetic modifications such as DNA methylation, (de)methylation and (de)acetylation of histone proteins, and changes in expression levels of non-coding RNAs are identified as key factors regulating ovarian function and reproductive outcomes. Changes in the expression levels of microRNAs in follicular fluid and granulosa cells are related to the process of oocyte development, the level of ovarian reserve and the implantation potential of the embryo. miR-27a-3p and miR-15a-5p have been shown to be associated with impaired granulosa cell function and poor ovarian response to ovarian stimulation, while global DNA hypomethylation is associated with ovarian aging. Epigenetic changes affect ovarian function through pathways that control hormone signaling, follicular development and success of implantation. It is necessary to conduct further research to identify ways of practical application of epigenetic modifications as markers for predicting the effectiveness of ART programs and optimizing patient management and treatment.
Conclusion: The results of the review that included recent studies highlight the critical importance of epigenetic factors in predicting the success of assisted reproduction. The studies suggest that epigenetic biomarkers and personalized targeted therapy based on these biomarkers are a promising direction. This approach aims to individualize treatment methods by modifying criteria for embryo culture, ovarian stimulation protocols, and implantation potential parameters.

Authors’ contributions: Amyan T.S., Patskova P.O., Kurushin N.D. – search and analysis of literature, writing the text of the article; Timofeeva A.V., Gavisova А.А. – editing and final approval of the article.
Conflicts of interest: The authors declare that there are no conflicts of interest.
Funding: The research was carried out with the financial support of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation within the framework of the state assignment 125022002648-0 on the subject: “Assessment of the blastocyst ploidy and its implantation potential by the level of extracellular piwiRNAs in the culture medium”.
For citation: Amyan T.S., Patskova P.O., Kurushin N.D., Timofeeva A.V., Gavisova A.A. 
Epigenetic regulation of reproductive potential: from folliculogenesis to implantation.
Akusherstvo i Ginekologiya/Obstetrics and Gynecology. 2025; (11): 30-37 (in Russian)
https://dx.doi.org/10.18565/aig.2025.170

Keywords

infertility
IVF
ART failure
decreased ovarian reserve
oocyte
embryo
epigenetic modification
reproductive medicine

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Received 24.06.2025

Accepted 13.11.2025

About the Authors

Tatiana S. Amyan, PhD, gynaecologist, 1st Gynecological Departament of the Institute of Reproductive Medicine, Academician V.I. Kulakov National Medical Research Center for Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Perinatology, Ministry of Health of Russia, 117997, Russia, Moscow, Ac. Oparin str., 4, +7(926)163-28-33, t_amyan@oparina4.ru,
https://orcid.org/0009-0004-3772-2346
Polina O. Patskova, PhD student, 1st Gynecological Departament of the Institute of Reproductive Medicine, Academician V.I. Kulakov National Medical Research Center
for Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Perinatology, Ministry of Health of Russia, 117997, Russia, Moscow, Ac. Oparin str., 4, +7(915)639-66-06, p_patskova@oparina4.ru,
https://orcid.org/0009-0005-6805-2944
Nikita D. Kurushin, PhD student, 1st Gynecological Departament of the Institute of Reproductive Medicine, Academician V.I. Kulakov National Medical Research Center
for Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Perinatology, Ministry of Health of Russia, 117997, Russia, Moscow, Ac. Oparin str., 4, +7(926)159-13-03, kurushinniko@gmail.com,
https://orcid.org/0009-0009-9956-1724
Angelika V. Timofeeva, PhD (Bio), Head of the Laboratory of Applied Transcriptomics, Academician V.I. Kulakov National Medical Research Center for Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Perinatology, Ministry of Health of Russia, 117997, Russia, Moscow, Ac. Oparin str., 4, +7(917)5165167, v_timofeeva@oparina4.ru,
https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2324-9653
Alla A. Gavisova, Dr. Med. Sci., Head of the 1st Gynecological Departament of the Institute of Reproductive Medicine, Academician V.I. Kulakov National Medical Research Center for Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Perinatology, Ministry of Health of Russia, 117997, Russia, Moscow, Ac. Oparin str., 4, a_gavisova@oparina4.ru,
https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4700-2786

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