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* To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail: klaus.steger{at}chiru.med.uni-giessen.de.
We provide an overview of epigenetic mechanisms comprizing DNA methylation, histone modification and RNA-associated silencing of gene expression by non-coding RNAs and, subsequently, focus attention on germ cell-specific epigenetic processes including histone-to-protamine exchange in haploid spermatids, genomic imprinting and reprogramming of epigenetic information after fertilization. Finally, aberrant epigenetic reprogramming and its association with testicular cancer and possible risks for assisted reproductive technology (ART) techniques is discussed.
Key words: Assisted reproduction
Infertility
Spermatogenesis
Testis
Epigenetics
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