Since anti-cancer medication can destroy the ovary´s follicles, hence women that go through chemotherapy often have trouble getting pregnant. A study developed by scientists in the UK have found a way of storing and growing a woman´s immature eggs in the laboratory, with the utilization of a specialized technique.

Some fertility centers in Great Britain are already offering a way of storing ovary tissue from women that have to go through chemotherapy with the speculation that the eggs will mature with further development and be used for IVF (In Vitro Fertilization)

Evelyn Telfer, from the University of Edinburgh, has led the study that made a big step towards growing stored human eggs. By adding artificial hormones in the laboratory, the eggs have grown and developed in the follicles.

With further research, Tefler stated, the eggs can get to be fully mature using this same technique, and use them for assisted reproduction procedures. This can also mean a faster development in egg growth, since with this method, it only took 10 days for an egg to mature.

Moreover, the technique that Tefler developed makes it possible for the procedures to be held without women having to take hormone injections, with the danger of over-production of eggs it carries.

Via | Hindu