Preimplantation embryo development involves four stages: fertilization, cell cleavage, morula andblastocyst formation. During these stages, maternal and zygotic epigenetic factors play crucial roles.The gene expression profile is changed dramatically, chromatin is modified and core histoneelements undergo significant changes. Each preimplantation embryo stage has its own characteristicepigenetic profile, consistent with the acquisition of the capacity to support development.Moreover, histone modifications such as methylation and acetylation as well as other epigeneticevents can act as regulatory switches of gene transcription. Because the epigenetic profile is largelyrelated to differentiation, epigenetic dysfunction can give rise to developmental abnormalities.Thus, epigenetic profiling of the embryo is of pivotal importance clinically. Given the importance ofthese aspects, this review will mainly focus on the epigenetic profile during preimplantation embryodevelopment, as well as interactions between epigenetic and genetic regulation in these earlydevelopmental stages.