Based on new studies, scientists have used human skin cells to create fertilized eggs that can produce early embryos, an advance that could extend fertility treatment options.
The concept of proof of the concept, published on Tuesday, was associated with a nucleus, a part of the cell, which contains most of its genetic information, starting with ordinary human skin cells and transplanting it to a donor egg removed from its nucleus. Researchers produced 82 functional human oocytes or immature egg cells, which were later fertilized in the laboratory.
The result is an egg that shares DNA with a person who has proposed a skin cell and which can be fertilized by another person’s sperm – is the most important stage in creating a new approach to infertility, although it will be at least a decade to the science of clinical and clinically accessible technology and gynecology.
“This would allow older women or women to have a genetically related child for any reason (eg previous cancer treatment),” Said the craft by email. “It would also allow the same sex couples (for example, two men) to have a child genetically related to both partners.”
The main challenge the researchers had to overcome was to make sure that the reprogrammed fertilized egg had the required number of chromosomes: gender cells – sperm and eggs – each contains 23 chromosomes, half of 46 found in simple human cells such as skin cells.
The team, mostly located at the Oregon University of Health and Science in Portland, has developed a method to eliminate additional chromosomes by imitating natural cell division so that one set of 23 kit, leaving a functional egg cell. Researchers called the “mythomyosis” process.
However, less than 9% of the eggs formed in the study reached the stage of the embryo development of the blastocyst equivalent to five or six days after naming. This is a time when embryos are usually transferred to the uterus through in vitro fertilization.
In addition, the craft explained that all the resulting embryos were chromosomal abnormal because they had the wrong total chromosome number, or not one of each pair. Embryos are expected to receive healthy babies and will probably stop developing too early, she added.
The authors of the study said it was necessary to conduct detailed additional studies to keep the technique safe and effective in using it in clinics. Specifically, more studies are needed to better understand how chromosomes are pores and separated to create eggs with the right number of chromosomes.
Even the natural reproduction only about one third of the embryos develops into the stages of the blastocyst, noted the co -author of the study Shoukhrat Mitalipov, the director of the OHSU Embryo Cell and Gene Therapy Center, and a press release.
“At this stage, this remains only proof of the concept and additional trials are needed to ensure effectiveness and safety against future clinical application,” the study states.
“An important beginning”
Other experts in the field, such as Amander Clark, professor of molecular, cellular and development biology at the University of California, Los Angeles University, are also carefully optimistic. Clark, who did not participate in a new study, said although the study is impressive progress, current form of technology will not work as fertility.
“All embryos have been genetically abnormal. Therefore, this approach will not and should not be offered in the IVF laboratory until technical improvements,” said Clark, who is also the director of the UCLA Reproductive Science, Health and Education Center.
Nevertheless, since millions of women suffer from primary ovarian failure, when their ovaries create very little eggs or the eggs they receive do not work IVF, Clark said the attitude on the new paper is an “important beginning”.
“To help these women start or start their own families with transformative medical treatment, it will be necessary because the restorative reproductive medicine will not work and the IVF reaches the limits of this type of infertility,” Clark explained. In the letter.
The research team used the nuclear transmission of somatic cells – a technique that was used loudly for the cloning of sheep, called Dolly in 1997. In this case, the researchers created a copy of one parent.
In many countries, it is forbidden to make people’s reproductive cloning and a copy of one person with one set of genetic information.
For new studies, embryos with chromosomes contributed from both parents. However, since the nuclear transmission technique of somatic cells is related to cloning, Clark said “regulatory obstacles that allow you to transfer this technology to clinical practice.”
Dolly The Sheep 1997 In the case in the case. – Reuters
According to Southampton University and Honorary Consultant Reproductive Medicine and Surgery Honorary Consultant Professor Ying Cheong and Honorary Consultant of Reproductive Medicine and Surgery Yingo Cheong.
“Although it is still very early laboratory work, it could change in the future how we understand infertility and miscarriage, and perhaps one day to open doors to create eggs or sperm-like cells for those who have no other options,” said Cheong, who has not participated in the study,
“For the first time, scientists have shown that conventional body cell DNA can be added to the egg, activated and forced to halve its chromosomes by imitating special steps that usually create eggs and sperm,” she added.
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