Daijiworld Media Network – New Delhi

New Delhi, Oct 3: In a groundbreaking study, scientists have successfully transformed human skin cells into fertilizable eggs capable of producing early embryos, a development that could revolutionize fertility treatments in the future.

The proof-of-concept research, published in Nature Communications, involved taking the nucleus—which contains nearly all genetic material—from a human skin cell and transplanting it into a donor egg stripped of its own nucleus. This process produced 82 functional human oocytes, or immature egg cells, which were then fertilized in the lab.

“This approach could allow older women, or women without eggs due to medical reasons such as cancer treatment, to have a genetically related child,” said Dr. Paula Amato, coauthor of the study and professor of obstetrics and gynecology at Oregon Health and Science University (OHSU). “It could also enable same-sex couples, for example two men, to have a child genetically related to both partners.”

A major scientific hurdle was ensuring the reprogrammed egg had the correct number of chromosomes—23, half the usual 46 found in ordinary cells. The researchers developed a method, termed “mitomeiosis,” to mimic natural cell division, discarding the extra chromosomes and leaving a functional egg cell.

However, fewer than 9% of the eggs reached the blastocyst stage, roughly five to six days post-fertilization—the stage when embryos are typically transferred in IVF. All resulting embryos were chromosomally abnormal, meaning they were not viable for developing into healthy babies.

While clinical application is likely a decade away, the study represents a milestone in the quest to expand reproductive options and overcome infertility challenges.