Additional source of oocytes

Scientists have obtained mice from granulosa cells for the first time

Sergey Kolenov, Hi-tech+

The experiment of Chinese geneticists led to the birth of perfectly healthy mice, indistinguishable from ordinary ones. The researchers hope that in the future the technique will improve the efficiency of in vitro fertilization.

During in vitro fertilization, only an egg is used, and thousands of granulose cells surrounding it in the follicle are thrown out. Meanwhile, they could become an additional source of oocytes, which would significantly increase the chances of conception.

Chinese scientists from Nankai University, whose work tells Phys.org , we decided to find out whether it is possible to reset the settings of granulosa cells and direct their development in a different way. To do this, they treated them with a mixture of crotonic acid and a protein kinase inhibitor Y-27632. The chemical cocktail prevented the death of cells outside the follicle and allowed them to turn into pluripotent stem cells.

The induced stem cells were then treated with a mixture of protein kinase inhibitor and vitamin C. This stimulated meiosis – the transformation of an ordinary cell into a sexual one with a reduction in the number of chromosomes.

Having received an egg from granulose tissue, it was fertilized and injected into experimental mice. As a result, healthy offspring were born, completely indistinguishable from individuals born in the usual way.

The "yield" was relatively low – out of 171 eggs injected into mice, only 5 mice developed. Nevertheless, the analysis confirmed the safety of the technique, including for the genetic stability of cells.

In the future, the new technology would improve the efficiency of in vitro fertilization, the authors believe. However, first you need to prove that it works as well on humans as on rodents.

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