Related Experiment Videos
Ooplasmic donation in humans: the potential for epigenic modifications
Susan M Hawes1, Carmen Sapienza, Keith E Latham
1Centre for Early Human Development, Institute of Reproduction and Development, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria 3168, Australia. susan.hawes@med.monash.edu.au
Human Reproduction (Oxford, England)
|April 2, 2002
Summary
Ooplasm donation, used to improve embryo viability, raises safety concerns due to potential mitochondrial heteroplasmy and epigenetic alterations in resulting children. Further research in animal models is crucial to assess risks.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive biology
- Genetics
- Developmental biology
Background:
- Ooplasm donation involves transferring cytoplasm from a donor to a recipient oocyte to enhance embryo viability.
- This technique has resulted in human pregnancies and births, but its safety and efficacy remain inadequately studied.
- Concerns include mitochondrial heteroplasmy and potential epigenetic modifications in offspring.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the safety and efficacy of ooplasm donation.
- To investigate potential risks associated with mitochondrial heteroplasmy and epigenetic alterations.
- To determine the necessity of animal model studies for assessing ooplasm donation safety.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing studies on ooplasm donation in humans and animal models.
- Analysis of reported cases of mitochondrial heteroplasmy in children conceived via ooplasm donation.
- Examination of mouse studies on the effects of genetically diverse ooplasms on epigenetic modifications.
Main Results:
- Ooplasm donation has led to human pregnancies and births, but safety and efficacy are not well-established.
- Mitochondrial heteroplasmy has been observed in children born following ooplasm donation.
- Studies in mice indicate that ooplasm from different genotypes can cause epigenetic modifications, potentially leading to heritable developmental defects.
Conclusions:
- The safety and efficacy of human ooplasm donation require thorough investigation.
- Potential risks include mitochondrial heteroplasmy and epigenetic alterations with possible transgenerational effects.
- Evaluation in a suitable animal model is essential to understand and mitigate these risks before widespread clinical application.