First human eggs grown in laboratory

In a new study, researchers from the University of Edinburgh have been able to develop a human egg in a lab from its earliest stage to full maturity for the first time.

In previous studies, scientists had developed mouse eggs to produce live offspring, and had matured human eggs from a relatively late stage of development.

“Being able to fully develop human eggs in the lab could widen the scope of available fertility treatments,” said the University of Edinburgh’s Professor Evelyn Telfer.

“We are now working on optimising the conditions that support egg development in this way and studying how healthy they are.

“We also hope to find out, subject to regulatory approval, whether they can be fertilised.”

Professor Telfer and colleagues at the University of Edinburgh worked to develop suitable substances in which eggs could be grown — known as culture mediums — to support each stage of cell development.

Their findings, using tissue donated by women who were undergoing routine surgery, build on 30 years of research.

“The advance could safeguard the fertility of girls with cancer ahead of potentially harmful medical treatment, such as chemotherapy,” the researchers said.

“Immature eggs recovered from patients’ ovarian tissue could be matured in the lab and stored for later fertilisation.

“Conventionally, cancer patients can have a piece of ovary removed before treatment, but re-implanting this tissue can risk reintroducing cancer.”