According to the the study published in the ‘Molecular Human Reproduction’ journal, first time, scientists from the University of Edinburgh (UK) have managed to grow human eggs in laboratory.
- The researchers were able to grow the eggs from immature cells taken from human ovarian tissue – something that has only been achieved in mice before. During experiment, immature ovarian tissue was taken from biopsies on ten women aged between 25 and 39 having Caesarean sections. Some 87 follicles (tissue containing immature eggs) were developed. Of these, nine eggs were grown. Although the eggs were not fertilised to create embryos, but the said research is seen as a ‘proof of concept’ which will lead to further advances.
Who will benefit
- This move could widen the scope of available fertility treatments and bring hope to infertile couples.
- It will help cancer patients wishing to preserve their fertility while undergoing chemotherapy treatment
- Deepen scientific understanding of the biology of the earliest stages of human life.
- It paves the way for growing thousands of eggs from a small piece of ovarian tissue.
- It will those women who are facing an early menopause,
- It will also those who want to delay having children
