The first kangaroo embryo created by Australian scientists was created using in vitro fertilization ( IVF), which they claim could save other species from extinction.
The researchers successfully injected a one egg cell into an egg using eastern gray kangaroos, but they also claimed that “technical advancements” and more work may be required to achieve a live birth.
Direct researcher Andres Gambini said the feat provides significant insights into marsupial breeding and may aid efforts to increase the genomic diversity of threatened species like the koala, the Tasmanian devil, the north hairy-nosed wombat, and Leadbeater’s possum.
Australia has the highest level of animal extinctions, but it also has the largest range of mammal mammals.
Before creating eggs using a technique known as intracytoplasmic sperm injection ( ICSI), the University of Queensland study examined the growth of bunny eggs and sperm in a laboratory setting.
The method, which is already used on people and some local creatures, was tried on eastern dark kangaroo that had died. The kinds was chosen because it already has large groups and is not threatened.
Despite the classic mammal species in Australia and the important role they play in its wildlife, researchers claim that studies into their cells have been limited.
According to Dr. Gambini,” we are currently developing methods to collect, culture, and preserve animal eggs and sperm,” adding that” the biological material of these special and important animals” would be at stake.
Infertility is being used as a tool to try to protect threatened species around the world.
Last year, scientists achieved the world’s first IVF rhino pregnancy, successfully transferring a lab-created rhino embryo into a surrogate mother in Kenya.
In 2018, IVF was also used to create the world’s first animal zygote.