Embryonetic: development of epigenetically personalised culture media for the production of bovine embryos

Abstract

To ensure the sustainability of livestock activity, it is crucial to produce animals with desirablezootechnical traits, such as higher weight gain, better reproductive performance, greater resistance to thermal stress, and reduced greenhouse gas emissions. Genomics has been instrumental in selecting animals with superior genetics, but optimal expression of these traits requires suitable environmental conditions from conception to slaughter. Epigenetic marks, such as DNA methylation, can further enhance the combination of superior genetics and optimal expression potential. DNA methylation has been shown to play a key role in determining better performance and tolerance to environmental stress in various animal models. Although DNA methylation undergoes modifications throughout an animal's life in different tissues, it undergoes global reprogramming during gametogenesis and the pre-implantation phase, resulting in patterns that persist into adulthood. Therefore, this project aims to investigate how changes in vitro embryo production systems by the addition of essential molecules for the correct establishment of DNA methylation marks, can impact the epigenetic profile of gametes and embryos. By doing so, this project seeks to contribute to the modulation of reprogramming epigenetics during the pre-implantation phase, opening up new opportunities for epigenetic improvement in livestock production. (AU)