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GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (March 16, 2021) Older age at the time of conception and alcohol consumption during pregnancy have long been known to impact fetal development.
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences suggests older age and alcohol consumption in the year leading up to conception also may have an impact by epigenetically altering a specific gene during development of human eggs, or oocytes.
Although the study did not determine the ultimate physical effects of this change, it provides important insights into the intricate relationship between environmental exposures, genetic regulation and human development. While the outcome of the change isn t clear, our findings give us a valuable look into how environmental factors affect gene regulation through epigenetics and imprinting, said Peter A. Jones, Ph.D., D.Sc. (hon), Van Andel Institute chief scientific officer and the study s senior author. A better understanding of these complex processes further our u