Artificial uterus

Japanese scientists have successfully tested ' artificial artificial uterus ' - a device capable of helping in vitro fertilized eggs grow faster and healthier, contributing to increasing the success rate of artificial insemination method.

This study was conducted by Professor Teruo Fujii, of the Institute of Industrial Science at the University of Tokyo, and colleagues.

Increase successful fertilization rate

' Microfluidic chips ' contain 20 fertilized eggs and are capable of stimulating embryos to grow similar to uterine-like embryos (Photo: Zeenews.com).

Currently, in vitro human embryos are fed with a mixture of mineral oil and culture fluid to keep embryos growing and not drying out. But such an environment is still far below the natural conditions in the womb. Therefore, artificial insemination eggs tend to grow much slower than normal fertilized eggs.

In order to overcome this situation, Professor Fujii's group has researched and designed 'micro-translucent microchip' (microfluidic chips), a type of chip 2 mm wide and 0.5 mm high. This microchip contains 20 fertilized eggs and is capable of stimulating embryos to grow similar to uterine-like embryos.

Professor Fujii said: ' Our goal is to create an artificial environment more conducive to the development of embryos. This chip works like a cushion to stimulate embryos to grow better . '

Under this new method, in vitro fertilized eggs will be inserted into the chip , including the endometrial cells that are cultured. The chemicals produced by these cells will nourish the embryo and help the embryo grow. When embryos have formed the ability to attach themselves to the uterine wall, they will be returned to the mother's uterus.

Test results show that mouse embryos grown in chips grow faster than in vitro embryos. Specifically, within 72 hours, 80% of embryos in chips developed enough to be re-implanted into the uterus, while this ratio in vitro embryos during that same period was only 20%.

But the uterus of female mice is still the best environment for embryos, with the rate of eggs attaching to the uterus after 72 hours up to 90%. In another trial, after being implanted in the uterus of female mice, the number of embryos cultured in the ' artificial artificial uterus ' achieved a healthy growth rate of 44%, compared with 40% for embryos. cultured in vitro.

In a press interview, Fujii said: 'This is a big difference between our new method and the conventional method for in vitro fertilized eggs. Embryos that grow faster will have better quality. '

According to the team, if embryos of artificial insemination grow faster, they are more likely to survive after being returned to the mother's uterus. Therefore, this device will help improve the success rate of artificial insemination method.

Will test for human embryos

' Automatic artificial uterus ' will help improve the success rate of artificial insemination (Artwork: Immediart)

Professor Fujii published the results of this study at a recent conference in Lyon, France. His team has also been given permission by the competent authority to test the ' automatic artificial uterus ' for human embryos. As expected, those tests will be conducted later this year.

According to him, 'in an artificial uterine environment, we can still find ways to help embryos grow faster with stimuli similar to the mother's womb.'

Matt Wheeler of the University of Illinois, a member of the research team, said: 'Compared to in vitro feeding, the new method not only produces many embryos that exist to re-implant into the uterus, but also help the embryo deliver. grows better when implanted '.

The team hopes to create a 'fully autonomous artificial uterus' system, in which one end of the system will be a place to nourish eggs and sperm, while the other end is the place to be obtained. healthy embryos, ready to be implanted in the mother's uterus.

Professor Fujii said excitedly: 'We hope to successfully test this method for human embryos in the near future'.

Quang Thinh

According to Reuters, Telegraph, Life Style Extra, VietNamNet