Researchers in the US have created human eggs from skin cells in a development that could transform IVF treatment for those unable to conceive naturally.
The work, led by Prof Shoukhrat Mitalipov at Oregon Health and Science University, could provide new options for women who are infertile due to age, illness or medical treatment, as well as same-sex male couples.
The method adapts cloning techniques used in the creation of Dolly the sheep, by transferring the nucleus of a skin cell into a donor egg with its own nucleus removed. After fertilisation with sperm, the eggs were activated with a compound called roscovitine to reduce their chromosome count to 23, as found in natural eggs.
Out of 82 eggs created, fewer than 10% developed to the early embryo stage, and none were cultured beyond six days. Many had abnormal chromosome pairings, meaning they would not result in healthy pregnancies.
The study, published in Nature Communications, is described as proof of concept. Researchers say refining the process and demonstrating its safety could take another decade.
