Three-parent IVF: what is a pronuclear transfer?
September 2, 2021
Pronuclear transfer, also known as a mitochondrial donation, is usually carried out to prevent the occurrence of mitochondrial diseases. Since 2015, this method is also used in IVF. What does it involve?
A child with three DNAs
First of all, what are mitochondria used for? They are found inside the body’s cells. Mitochondria produce the energy needed for the cells to function properly. Cells cannot survive without mitochondria. How can the donation of mitochondria help to overcome infertility?
It is important to know that abnormalities in the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) can cause serious genetic diseases. Women with these defects can pass them on to their children. In this case, a pronuclear transfer is used to prevent the transmission of genetic diseases to the baby.
It turns out that mtDNA abnormalities can also cause some cases of infertility and IVF failure. In these cases, a pronuclear transfer can be performed to get rid of the defective mtDNA.
The pronuclear transfer technique involves inserting the nucleus of the mother’s (abnormal carrier) egg into the healthy donor egg. The egg is then implanted into the mother’s uterus.
In this way, the egg contains the genetic material of the parents and the cytoplasm of the donor.
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