In a groundbreaking leap forward in reproductive science, researchers from Kyushu University in Japan have successfully created mice with two biological fathers, bypassing the need for female eggs. The findings, presented at the Third International Summit on Human Genome Editing, hold promising implications for addressing severe forms of infertility and potentially enabling same-sex couples to have biological children (well, probably only in countries where same-sex marriage has been legalized).
Lead researcher Katsuhiko Hayashi, known for his pioneering work in lab-grown eggs and sperm, announced that his team achieved this milestone by generating eggs from male cells, a feat never before accomplished in the mammalian reproductive process. While previous attempts with mice involved intricate genetic engineering, this study marks the first time viable eggs were cultivated directly from male cells.
Reprogramming Male Cells
The process involved reprogramming male skin cells into induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells, which were then modified to carry two identical X chromosomes. This crucial step of duplicating the X chromosome was a significant breakthrough. The cells were cultivated in an ovary organoid, simulating conditions inside a mouse ovary. When these eggs were fertilized with normal sperm, approximately 600 embryos were obtained, leading to the birth of seven healthy mouse pups.
Although the efficiency of this method was lower than conventional methods, with only 1% of embryos resulting in live births compared to 5% in female-derived eggs, the mice exhibited normal growth, lifespan, and fertility as adults. However, there was no information to suggest whether this method was able to produce female offspring, as the researcher only mentioned, “They look OK, they look to be growing normally, they become fathers.”
Future Potential
The potential applications of this technology are vast. Beyond challenging traditional notions of reproduction, the technique could offer hope to individuals with severe forms of infertility, such as women with Turner’s syndrome. Hayashi expressed optimism about the future, suggesting that it might be technically possible to create viable human eggs from male skin cells within the next decade.
While the study has yet to undergo peer review and publication in a leading journal, the implications are already sparking discussions about the ethical and societal considerations of using such technology for clinical purposes. Prof. George Daley of Harvard Medical School acknowledged the fascinating nature of the research but highlighted the challenges in translating these findings to human cells, given the unique biology of human gametogenesis.
As scientists continue to push the boundaries of reproductive science, this breakthrough has potential uses beyond the usual. It offers hope for addressing severe forms of infertility, such as in individuals with Turner’s syndrome. While significant hurdles remain, this new research marks a step forward in discovering different ways to help with fertility treatments in the future.
iPS: induced pluripotent stem (cells)
Sources:
https://www.theguardian.com/science/2023/mar/08/scientists-create-mice-with-two-fathers-after-making-eggs-from-male-cells
https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-023-00717-7
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