3D printer ovaries allow pregnancy in infertile rats

Researchers at Northwestern University in Chicago have successfully implanted 3D printer ovaries in infertile rats. The 3D ovaries restored the fertility of the animals, which were able to generate healthy puppies.

Scientists' ultimate goal is to restore fertility and endocrine health in young people who have had cancer and were sterilized for treatment.

According to The Guardian, researchers created synthetic ovaries by printing porous matrices with a gelatin ink and filling those matrices with follicles. Like a tiny sac, synthetic ovaries retain fluid and are filled with immature egg cells.

To test the effectiveness of 3D printing, scientists surgically removed a single ovary from a rat. In one test, when placing the 3D ovaries, the implants successfully linked to the body's blood supply in just one week. Then the eggs were naturally released into the pores printed on gelatinous structures.

• Of seven rats that mated after 3D ovarian implantation, three had healthy puppies - there is no information on whether the other four animals became pregnant.

Teresa Woodruff, research leader, commented on the case: "Our hope is that one day these ovarian bioprostheses will be the ovary of the future. The goal of the project is to be able to restore fertility and endocrine health in young people." with cancer who were sterilized because of the treatment. "

If you don't know, the high doses of chemotherapy and radiation used to treat cancer have the potential to destroy female eggs - the risk of infertility and even menopause exists for women undergoing treatment. So actions like this show how technology is not here just to upgrade our smartphones.

Via TecMundo.