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First baby from lab-matured egg | First baby from lab-matured egg |
(20 minutes later) | |
The first baby created from an egg matured in the lab, frozen, thawed and then fertilised, has been born. | The first baby created from an egg matured in the lab, frozen, thawed and then fertilised, has been born. |
Until now it was not known whether eggs obtained in this way could survive thawing to be fertilised. | Until now it was not known whether eggs obtained in this way could survive thawing to be fertilised. |
The advance spares women from taking risky fertility drugs that can cause a rare, yet deadly condition - ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS). | The advance spares women from taking risky fertility drugs that can cause a rare, yet deadly condition - ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS). |
Canadian researchers told a fertility conference in Lyon three others are expecting babies by the same process. | Canadian researchers told a fertility conference in Lyon three others are expecting babies by the same process. |
These pregnancies are an exciting step Dr Laurence ShawBritish Fertility Society | These pregnancies are an exciting step Dr Laurence ShawBritish Fertility Society |
The findings hold particular hope for patients with cancer-related fertility problems. | The findings hold particular hope for patients with cancer-related fertility problems. |
Chemotherapy can cause infertility and, therefore, some women with cancer opt to have their eggs collected and frozen before they start their cancer treatment. | Chemotherapy can cause infertility and, therefore, some women with cancer opt to have their eggs collected and frozen before they start their cancer treatment. |
But not all women will want or be able to delay having chemotherapy to undergo ovarian stimulation. | But not all women will want or be able to delay having chemotherapy to undergo ovarian stimulation. |
Certain tumours, including some breast cancers, can grow if the woman takes drugs to stimulate the ovaries, for example. | Certain tumours, including some breast cancers, can grow if the woman takes drugs to stimulate the ovaries, for example. |
Early stages | Early stages |
Dr Hannal Holzer and colleagues at the McGill Reproductive Center, Montreal, cautioned that their technique - in vitro maturation or IVM - had not yet been tried on women with cancer. | Dr Hannal Holzer and colleagues at the McGill Reproductive Center, Montreal, cautioned that their technique - in vitro maturation or IVM - had not yet been tried on women with cancer. |
The women they studied had polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) - a condition where the ovaries are covered in cysts which can impair fertility and which is linked with an increased risk of OHSS. | The women they studied had polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) - a condition where the ovaries are covered in cysts which can impair fertility and which is linked with an increased risk of OHSS. |
Of 20 women, four achieved pregnancy with the technique. | Of 20 women, four achieved pregnancy with the technique. |
Dr Holzer said: "Until now, it was not known whether oocytes collected from unstimulated ovaries, matured in vitro and then vitrified, could survive thawing, be fertilised successfully and result in a viable pregnancy after embryo transfer. | Dr Holzer said: "Until now, it was not known whether oocytes collected from unstimulated ovaries, matured in vitro and then vitrified, could survive thawing, be fertilised successfully and result in a viable pregnancy after embryo transfer. |
"We have demonstrated for the first time that it is possible to do this and, so far, we have achieved four successful pregnancies, one of which has resulted in a live birth." | "We have demonstrated for the first time that it is possible to do this and, so far, we have achieved four successful pregnancies, one of which has resulted in a live birth." |
He warned the research was still in its early stages. | He warned the research was still in its early stages. |
Moderate or severe ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome can occur in 3-8% of IVF cycles. | Moderate or severe ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome can occur in 3-8% of IVF cycles. |
Expand choices | |
Professor Robin Lovell-Badge, of the Medical Research Council's National Institute For Medical Research, said: "Each step in this work had been achieved before, but this is the first time they have been successfully strung together. | |
"It is important as it will expand the choices available to women with diseases of the ovary or cancer and the clinicians treating them." | |
Dr Laurence Shaw, spokesman for the British Fertility Society, said: "These pregnancies are an exciting step. However, the pregnancy rate is very low and therefore large numbers of eggs would be needed." | Dr Laurence Shaw, spokesman for the British Fertility Society, said: "These pregnancies are an exciting step. However, the pregnancy rate is very low and therefore large numbers of eggs would be needed." |
He stressed that it was a treatment suitable for people with fertility problems linked to conditions such as PCOS or cancer, and not for women who merely want to delay having a family. | He stressed that it was a treatment suitable for people with fertility problems linked to conditions such as PCOS or cancer, and not for women who merely want to delay having a family. |