DNA methylation patterns in in vitro-fertilised goat zygotes.

Recent studies have shown that zygote demethylation patterns in mammals are variable among species. However, the methylation patterns of goat zygotes have not yet been reported on. In the present study, using immunofluorescence staining with an antibody against 5-methylcytosine, the methylation patterns of in vitro-derived goat zygotes were studied. The results indicate that goat zygotes do not undergo active global demethylation during pronuclei development, which is similar to the situation in ovine, but not in murine or bovine zygotes. This is believed to be the first report regarding methylation in goat zygotes.