In a groundbreaking scientific achievement, a mouse with two male parents has successfully reached adulthood.
Researchers utilized embryo stem cell engineering to accomplish this milestone by accurately correcting an important gene involved in reproduction. Double-headed mouse.
This innovative method has allowed scientists to overcome previously insurmountable barriers in reproducing single-identified mammals.
In previous experiments, using two male mice resulted in genetic issues during fertilization, leading to severe congenital defects and early termination of mouse embryo development.
However, the researchers of this new study suspected that these genetic issues were caused by “imprinted” genes, which are inherited from both male and female parents.
“The unique characteristics of imprinted genes have led scientists to believe they are the fundamental barriers to mammal reproduction,” said Research co-author Professor Qi Zhou.
“Even in the artificial creation of a two-cell embryo or double-headed embryo, they were unable to develop properly and stalled at a certain point due to these genes.”
Based on this theory, researchers altered 20 important imprinted genes using various methods before implanting the modified embryos into surrogate mothers.
Their findings revealed that these genetic edits not only allowed for the creation of double-headed mice but also enabled them to survive to adulthood.
“These discoveries offer compelling evidence that imprinted abnormalities are the primary barriers in mammals,” said co-author Professor Guan Zan Ruo from SUN YAT-SEN University.
“This approach greatly advances the manipulation of embryo stem cells and cloned animals, paving the way for progress in regenerative medicine.”
However, researchers noted that only 11.8% of surviving embryos successfully developed to birth, and some did not survive to adulthood due to developmental disorders.
In fact, most of the adult mice displayed abnormal growth and lifespan, and the surviving mice were infertile.
The team is actively working to address these issues by investigating whether altering a specific gene can improve embryo development. They also plan to extend their research to include larger animals like monkeys, though the use of this technology in humans remains uncertain.
Read more:
- Y chromosome has disappeared. Is this the end of man?
- Mice display emotions on their faces like humans
- Male mice transformed into females using previously considered “junk” DNA.
Source: www.sciencefocus.com
