Japanese scientists produce eggs from male cells of mice
Reproduction among species is why the world continues to exist. Needless to say, it is a fascinating field of study as well. In this regard you might be keen to know that Japanese scientists have gained a breakthrough. Turns out, researchers based at Kyushu University and Osaka University were able to give birth to a mouse having two biological fathers and no mothers. Guess what this means? Yes, they have generated eggs from two male cells. This brand-new research is believed to open up a series of new radical possibilities, including that for human reproduction.
For instance, it can help treat severe forms of infertility and give hopes to same-sex couples who wish to have biological children.
Experts have lauded this breakthrough and have said that this has been one of the first attempts in producing strong mammal oocytes (a cell that develops into an egg) from male cells. It is also a step forward in the pioneering field of lab-grown eggs and sperms.
The latest findings have been presented during the 3rd International Summit on Human Genome Editing that happened last week at London’s Francis Crick Institute. The team involved commented during the meet that they hope to create a viable human egg from two male skin cells in less than a decade.
For those of you who are curious how the scientists made this experiment possible, here’s what they did. At first, they created a stem cell (a cell that can turn into other types of cells) from a skin cell of a male mouse and then got rid of the Y chromosome. Next, they duplicated the X chromosome, thus enabling it to turn into an egg. But the process wasn’t as easy as it seems. Out of 600 implants created, only seven baby mice were born. Not only that, but they also went on to lead a healthy life of their own and have offspring. In case you didn’t know, XY is the male chromosome, while XX is the female.
Wondering whether this was the first time something like this happened? Absolutely not. Earlier, in 2018, Chinese geneticists attempted to breed mice from two fathers. However, the babies born were unhealthy and didn’t survive for long. So, we can say that this was the first ever successful attempt.