British scientists have successfully matured human oocytes in vitro, it was announced today.
The breakthrough means improved treatment for young women who store ovarian tissue ahead of cancer treatment.
Currently they have relied on ovary implants, a hazardous procedure that can reintroduce cancer risk.
The work was successfully undertaken at Edinburgh University, Scotland.
The scientists say it is the first time a human egg has been developed in the laboratory from its earliest stage to full maturity.
The findings are published in Molecular Human Reproduction today.
Researcher Professor Evelyn Telfer said: "Being able to fully develop human eggs in the lab could widen the scope of available fertility treatments. We are now working on optimising the conditions that support egg development in this way and studying how healthy they are.
“We also hope to find out, subject to regulatory approval, whether they can be fertilised."
Molecular Human Reproduction 9 February 2018
Leave a Reply