Mouse Embryos Grown WITHOUT Eggs or Sperm

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In summary, researchers have been able to grow synthetic mouse embryos in a dish for a period of 8.5 days, allowing for the development of brain regions, a beating heart, and the formation of neural and gut tubes. These synthetic embryos are similar to natural embryos but not identical, as some defects and changes in organ size can be seen. They were created from stem cells instead of egg and sperm cells and were able to thrive without the need for nourishment from the mother. This success has opened the possibility of studying mammalian embryo development in a dish, which has previously been limited due to the need for embryos to be inside the mother for intensive observations.
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https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-022-02334-2

That period (8.5 days) is long enough for the brain regions to develop, the heart to start beating, and the neural and gut tubes to form. These synthetic embryos look a lot like natural embryos that form when mouse sperm meets egg, but they “were not 100% identical”, Hanna says. “You can see some defects and some changes in the organ size.”
 
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They were made from stem cells (rather than egg and sperm cells).
Mice are mammals and normally develop in the mother receiving nourishment from the placenta.
Late implantation in mice is at 8 to 10 days post fertilization, so (assuming a similar rate of development) these could be similar to preimplantation embryos. This may be why they did so well. Thay had not yet run into the requirement for nourishment from the mother. Implanted embryos would also be in a different environment and would receive different signals of various kinds from the mother's uterus. These may be important for normal subsequent development.

Growing mammalian embryos to later stages in a dish is a dream of a lot of researchers. They have to be removed from the mother for any really intensive observations. This is why zebrafish are considered a much more optimal prep for observing development. The eggs are externally fertilized and all development is easily observed in a microscope, with lot of observational and manipulative tricks available.
 
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FAQ: Mouse Embryos Grown WITHOUT Eggs or Sperm

What is the purpose of growing mouse embryos without eggs or sperm?

The purpose of this research is to better understand the process of embryonic development and potentially find alternative methods for assisted reproduction. This could have implications for fertility treatments and animal breeding.

How are mouse embryos grown without eggs or sperm?

Scientists use a technique called parthenogenesis, where an unfertilized egg is activated to start dividing and developing into an embryo. This can be done by manipulating the egg's environment or by using chemicals to trigger the process.

Are these embryos genetically identical to traditional embryos?

No, parthenogenetic embryos only contain genetic material from the mother, whereas traditional embryos have genetic material from both the mother and father. This can result in differences in physical and behavioral traits.

What are the potential benefits of this research?

This research could provide insights into the mechanisms of embryonic development and offer new avenues for assisted reproduction techniques. It could also have implications for conservation efforts and the study of genetic diseases.

Are there any ethical concerns surrounding this research?

As with any scientific research, there are ethical considerations to take into account. Some may argue that creating embryos without the use of eggs or sperm goes against natural reproduction processes. However, this research is strictly controlled and monitored by ethical review boards to ensure the well-being of the animals involved.

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