A study at Tampere University has identified one possible epigenetic mechanism through which the conditions at conception may affect the health of an individual in later life. The study, led by Finnish Academy Research Fellow Emma Raitoharju, shows that the family’s occupational status, income level and maternal age at conception are linked to specific molecular changes in offspring up to adulthood.
The link was detected in the DNA methylation in the region of the non-coding RNA 886 gene (nc886 gene).