Cloned sperm to provide "hope" for infertile couples

The researchers believe their work could bring "hope"

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Tuesday, 03, Jul 2007 05:23

Cloned sperm could provide "hope" for infertile couples who want to have a baby, according to US scientists.

A study from a team at Weill medical college at Cornell University in New York showed how replicating the male genome could lead to a better chance of conceiving offspring.

Professor Takumi Takeuchi, part of the US Weill college team, said the technique should make it "possible to create enough [sperm] to be sure that the embryo which is implanted is healthy".

Researchers injected a single healthy mouse sperm into a mouse egg without a nucleas as part of the study. This then cloned the male genome and gave an identical return in over 80 per cent of the clones analysed.

The cells were then fused with an egg and allowed to develop, with some success from the scientists.

Professor Takeuchi said: "64 blastocysts were transferred to six foster-mother mice, and so far four offspring have grown into normal adults, therefore proving that it is possible to replicate the male genome, and that such a cloned genome has the ability to develop to term."

Although the prospect of this working with humans remains some way off, Professor Takeuchi said if it did work, it could improve chances of conception.

He said: "If we were able to propagate it while maintaining its normal chromosomal make-up, its ability to fertilise and to participate in full-term embryo development, we would be able to enhance the number of chances of conception of many couples."

The next task for the team is to investigate a procedure which makes the process more efficient, reducing embryo wastage.

Professor Takeuchi concluded: "Since this work aims at preserving the contribution of both parents to the generation of embryos, I feel that, when it is further developed and refined, it should elicit a favourable response from those involved in ethical issues."