Regulatory Mechanisms Mediated by DNA methyltransferase 1 link the maternal Environment with the Development of the Embryo

Epidemiological as well as animal model studies have demonstrated the close relationship that exists between the early maternal developmental environment and the risk of developing metabolic diseases in adulthood. Small birth weight has been shown to be an important marker for this although the molecular mechanisms which mediate these changes are not well understood By using average (50th to 75th) and lower (5th to 25th) percentiles of the normal birth weight range of Wistar rat pups, we show here that the growth of embryos is linked to the early maternal developmental environment