This is unheard of: a team of British and American researchers has succeeded in developing human eggs from their early stage to their full maturity. A process that could ultimately preserve the fertility of women with cancer. Explanations.
For the first time, scientists have developed human eggs from their early stage to full maturity, that is, until they are ready to be fertilized. An experiment conducted by the University of Edinburgh, Great Britain and American researchers, the results of which were published on February 9 in the journal Molecular Human Reproduction.
Hope for women with cancer
“This advance, a step prior to any subsequent fertilization attempt, could have applications for preserving the fertility of women with cancer,” said the British University in a press release. Indeed, in the event of chemotherapy, some women have the ovarian tissue removed, then reimplanted after their recovery. But this technique also presents the risk of re-implanting the cancer.
Nine out of ten mature eggs
To conduct their study, the researchers took 10 ovarian tissue samples from women in their 30s, which they cultured in 3 stages for 20 days. Nine have reached maturity. This kind of experiment had already been carried out on mouse eggs and had led to the birth of live mice.
“Being able to fully develop human eggs in the laboratory could expand the scope of available fertility treatments and we are now working to optimize the conditions for their development. We also hope to know, subject to regulatory approval, if they can be fertilized, ”says Professor Evelyn Telfer of the University of Edinburgh, author of the study. More research is needed before considering a clinical trial.
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