A new technique has been developed experimentally in IVF for the creation of new and fully functional oocytes, which will carry the genome of the "maternal" ovum from which they originate, in women with abnormal ova. IVF patients with cytoplasmically "aged" ova, the quality of which does not allow them to have their own biological child, may use in the near future a new method that will make their dream come true.

The new technique uses donated oocytes, but not in the form we know it today. Donated ova are initially transformed into "cytoplasts" by removing their nucleus. Then, the polar body is being removed from patient's own ovum by polar body biopsy and is being transplanted into the cytoplasm of the donated ovum. As it is known, the polar body encompasses a genomic mirror of the ovum from which it was originated and will form the "maternal" nucleus in the new ovum.

With this technique we achieve the following unique innovation: the creation of an ovum with donor cytoplasmic material, but with the chromosomal material of the patient. Thus, the child that will be born after the new and fully functional ovum will be fertilized and implanted, will have the genetic background of its two natural parents, and not just one, as it occurs until today in the conventional oocyte donation cases.

At Embryogenesis we are pioneers in investing in new technologies that lead to clinically applicable solutions and treatments for our patients. A new field is being launched in embryology and reproductive medicine, where the creation of new oocytes after polar body transplantation could be a real "miracle" for the treatment of patients, for which the use of donated oocytes is the only treatment available at the moment.

Dr. Konstantinos A. Economou MSc, PhD, CCE

Consultant Clinical Embryologist

Embryo / Oocyte Biopsy Specialist at Embryogenesis