Longitudinal study of DNA methylation changes during mouse pregnancy

Aging is classically conceptualized as an ever-increasing trajectory of damage accumulation and loss of function, leading to increases in morbidity and mortality. However, recent in vitro studies have raised the possibility of age reversal. We characterized several models in which biological age, assessed primarily through analysis of DNA methylation, undergoes reversible changes. Pregnancy is one such example. We studied a mouse model of pregnancy. Following a baseline blood sample, C57Bl/6 mice were mated, and two blood samples were taken during the early and late phases of their pregnancies. Following parturition and a period of recovery, a final blood sample was collected. We subjected DNA isolated from these blood samples to the HorvathMammalMethylChip40 for methylation profiling.