Epigenetics of surrogacy - does a surrogate mother share DNA with a child?

Epigenetics of surrogacy - does a surrogate mother share DNA with a child?
Epigenetics of surrogacy - does a surrogate mother share DNA with a child?
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The short answer to this question is no, and the epigenetics of surrogacy may explain why. With the gestational method, the genetic material does not come from the surrogate mother herself. The pregnancy that a surrogate mother carries is the result of an in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycle. The sperm and eggs used in IVF can be obtained from the intended parents or from sperm and egg donors. 100% of a child's DNA comes from eggs and sperm (intended parents and / or donor).

Understanding IVF

Understanding the IVF process can help clarify how babies get their genetic material. In IVF, embryologists inject one sperm into one egg. As a result, an embryo is formed - a fertilized egg. Each sperm and egg gives the embryo 23 chromosomes. Together, these 46 chromosomes make up the entire genome of the embryo, and the surrogate mother never brings genetic material into the embryo. The genome of the embryo contains about 20,000 genes that are responsible for the growth and development of the fetus and subsequent periods.

After embryologists create an embryo in an IVF laboratory, they transfer it to the surrogate mother's uterus. The embryo then develops and receives nutrients and oxygen through the surrogate mother's placenta. Interestingly, in addition to the lack of common DNA, the surrogate mother and child also never share a common blood. Nutrients and oxygen diffuse across the placenta from the surrogate mother to the developing fetus, and the blood of the surrogate mother and the fetus never mixes.

Epigenetics of surrogacy

Although a surrogate mother does not transfer DNA directly to the embryo, her health and the conditions in the uterus that she creates for the growing fetus are critical to the healthy development of the baby. The epigenetics of surrogacy refers to the influence of the health of the surrogate mother and the intrauterine environment on gene expression. For example, if a woman who is carrying someone else's child is malnourished, the fetal's metabolic genes may be expressed in such a way that the child's risk of obesity and diabetes increases throughout her life. Some research suggests that stress and mental health problems can have epigenetic effects on a child's brain development.

Although most of the data on this issue comes from observational studies, animal studies have shown a link between pregnancy and metabolic and brain development in offspring, which can persist for several generations. More research is published on this topic every year, so if you are concerned about the possible epigenetic effects during surrogacy, talk to your doctor to find out more.

Although a gestational surrogate mother does not directly contribute to the baby's DNA, she can still influence gene expression and normal fetal development. We encourage and expect surrogate mothers to maintain a healthy diet and lifestyle throughout pregnancy, and our team provides each surrogate mother with support resources to ensure the well-being of the surrogate mother and baby.

Learn more about https://international-surrogacy.com/cost-of-surrogacy-in-ukraine: [email protected], www.international-surrogacy.com, 1.908.386.3864.

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