Chapter 1 Introduction: A Brief Guide to the Periconception Environment

Chapter 2 Epigenetic Influences During the Periconception Period and Assisted Reproduction

Chapter 3 The Importance of the Periconception Period: Immediate Effects in Cattle Breeding and in Assisted Reproduction Such as Artificial Insemination and Embryo Transfer

Chapter 4 The Consequences of Maternal-Embryonic Cross Talk During the Periconception Period on Subsequent Embryonic Development

Chapter 5 The Role of Maternal Nutrition During the Periconceptional Period and Its Effect on Offspring Phenotype

Chapter 6 The Long-Term Effect of the Periconception Period on the Embryo’s Epigenetic Profile and Phenotype: The Role of Maternal Disease Such as Diabetes and How the Effect Is Mediated (Example from a Rabbit Model)

Chapter 7 Long-Term Effects of the Periconception Period on Embryo Epigenetic Profile and Phenotype: The Role of Stress and How This Effect Is Mediated

Chapter 8 The Long-Term Effects of the Periconceptional Period on Embryo Epigenetic Profile and Phenotype; The Paternal Role and His Contribution, and How Males Can Affect Offspring’s Phenotype/Epigenetic Profile

Chapter 9 Exploitation of Non-mammalian Model Organisms in Epigenetic Research