Abstract: Recurrent spontaneous abortion (RSA) is a common pathological pregnancy, in which 50% of the etiology and pathogenesis are unknown. In recent years, the development of epigenetics, especially the study of DNA methylation, provides a new perspective for the pathogenesis of RSA. The study found that the defects of DNA methylation, methylational modification and the other epigenetic modification related to DNA methylation were associated with RSA. The abnormalities of DNA methylation in the imprinted genes, the placenta specific genes and sperm DNA may directly or indirectly affect the implantation, growth and development of embryo, involving in RSA. This review summarizes the research progress of DNA methylation in pathogenesis of RSA.

Key words: Abortion, habitual, Abortion, spontaneous, DNA methylation, Epigenesis, genetic