Human eggs have been developed in the laboratory until they are ready to be fertilized

This is unheard of: a team of British and American researchers has succeeded in developing human eggs from their early stage to full maturity. A process that could ultimately preserve the fertility of women with cancer.

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For the first time, scientists have developed human eggs from their early stage to full maturity, ie until they are ready to be fertilised. An experiment conducted by the University of Edinburgh in Britain and researchers from Americans, the results of which were published February 9 in the journal Molecular Human Reproduction.

A hope for women with cancer

"This breakthrough, a precondition for any future fertilization attempt, may have applications to preserve the fertility of women with cancer," the University said in a statement. Indeed, in the case of chemotherapy, some women have ovarian tissue removed and then reimplant after healing. But this technique also has the risk of reimplanting cancer.

Nine out of ten mature eggs

To conduct their study, the researchers took 10 samples of ovarian tissue from women in their thirties, who were cultured in 3 stages for 20 days. Nine have reached maturity. This kind of experiment had already been conducted on mouse eggs and had led to the birth of live mice.

"Being able to fully develop human eggs in the laboratory could broaden the scope of available fertility treatments and we are now working to optimise the conditions for their development, and we hope to know, subject to regulatory approval, whether they can be "Professor Evelyn Telfer of the University of Edinburgh, author of the study. Further research is needed before considering a clinical trial.