In a groundbreaking development, scientists have successfully transformed human skin cells into fertilizable eggs in the laboratory for the first time. This breakthrough, which has the potential to one day help infertile individuals have children, is still several years away from becoming a viable option, experts warn.
The technology, called in-vitro gametogenesis (IVG), could provide a solution for older women or those who lack eggs due to medical conditions. It was described as a potential game-changer for infertility, which affects one in six people globally.
While previous advances in the field have involved animal DNA, this study marks a significant step forward, as it used human DNA. The team removed the nucleus from regular skin cells and transferred it into an egg cell, a process similar to the one used to clone Dolly the sheep in 1996.
However, a major challenge arose due to the difference in chromosome numbers between skin cells and eggs. The scientists overcame this by using a process called “mitomeiosis,” which mimics natural cell division. They created 82 developing eggs, known as oocytes, which were fertilized by sperm via in-vitro fertilization (IVF).
Although only 9% of the embryos reached the stage where they could potentially be transferred to a uterus, this outcome was considered promising, as even in natural reproduction, only about a third of embryos reach this stage. However, the embryos showed several abnormalities, and the experiment was halted.
Experts estimate that it will take at least a decade before this technology could be made widely available, with the biggest hurdle being the creation of genetically normal eggs. Despite the current limitations, this breakthrough offers hope for the future of reproductive medicine.
Dr. Ying Cheong, a reproductive medicine researcher at the University of Southampton, praised the achievement, calling it a significant step towards understanding infertility and miscarriage. She emphasized that, while this work is still in its early stages, it could revolutionize reproductive science and offer new options for individuals without other alternatives.
Although researchers are using other methods, such as reprogramming skin cells into stem cells before turning them into eggs, it is still unclear which approach will be more successful. The study adhered to ethical guidelines for embryo use, ensuring that the research followed established ethical standards.
