The role of maternal epigenetic inheritance in offspring growth and bone development

A mother’s egg (oocyte) transmits both genetic and non-genetic (epigenetic) information to the next generation, which is crucial for offspring development. The exposure of oocytes to lifestyle factors such as drugs and diet may provoke epigenetic changes that could modify the development of the next generation; however, the mechanisms remain unclear. This project investigated the role of maternal epigenetic inheritance in offspring bone development, and revealed how a non-genetic program established in oocytes affects offspring growth and development. This work helps to define how inherited epigenetic information controls offspring development, which is important for understanding developmental origins of disease.