Groundbreaking research claims to have "rejuvenated" human eggs by reversing an age-related defect that causes genetic errors in embryos, potentially revolutionizing IVF success rates for older women. The study found that supplementing donated eggs with a crucial protein, Shugoshin 1, can nearly halve the number of eggs with abnormal chromosome numbers.
The decline in egg quality is the primary cause of IVF failure and miscarriage in older women, resulting in significantly lower birth rates as female age increases. For example, for women under 35, the average birth rate per embryo transferred in IVF treatment was 35%, while it dropped to just 5% for women aged 43-44.
According to researchers, this age-related defect occurs during meiosis, a process where sex cells jettison half their genetic material. In eggs, this requires 23 pairs of X-shaped chromosomes to align along a single axis in the cell. However, in older eggs, chromosome pairs tend to loosen at their midpoint, becoming slightly unstuck or detaching entirely before fertilization.
The team found that microinjections of Shugoshin 1 reversed this problem by restoring the protein levels in treated eggs to those seen in younger cells. This resulted in a significant decrease in the number of eggs with defective chromosomes. The researchers estimate that this approach could improve egg quality, leading to better IVF success rates and reduced risk of chromosome disorders such as Down's syndrome.
While the findings are promising, it is essential to note that the approach would not extend fertility beyond menopause, when the egg reserve runs out. However, if successful in larger trials, this technique has the potential to significantly improve IVF outcomes for older women.
The decline in egg quality is the primary cause of IVF failure and miscarriage in older women, resulting in significantly lower birth rates as female age increases. For example, for women under 35, the average birth rate per embryo transferred in IVF treatment was 35%, while it dropped to just 5% for women aged 43-44.
According to researchers, this age-related defect occurs during meiosis, a process where sex cells jettison half their genetic material. In eggs, this requires 23 pairs of X-shaped chromosomes to align along a single axis in the cell. However, in older eggs, chromosome pairs tend to loosen at their midpoint, becoming slightly unstuck or detaching entirely before fertilization.
The team found that microinjections of Shugoshin 1 reversed this problem by restoring the protein levels in treated eggs to those seen in younger cells. This resulted in a significant decrease in the number of eggs with defective chromosomes. The researchers estimate that this approach could improve egg quality, leading to better IVF success rates and reduced risk of chromosome disorders such as Down's syndrome.
While the findings are promising, it is essential to note that the approach would not extend fertility beyond menopause, when the egg reserve runs out. However, if successful in larger trials, this technique has the potential to significantly improve IVF outcomes for older women.