Watch: Scientists Create the World’s First Lab-Grown Kangaroo Embryo

For the first time, scientists have successfully created kangaroo embryos using in-vitro fertilization (IVF), marking a significant breakthrough in efforts to replicate this process across hundreds of marsupial species increasingly at risk of extinction.

A research team from the University of Queensland achieved this feat using eggs and sperm from eastern grey kangaroos (Macropus giganteus), though not due to concerns over their survival—the species thrives in the wild with millions of individuals. However, many other marsupial species are not as fortunate. Habitat destruction, road development, heat stress, and invasive species have pushed them toward extinction, prompting scientists to take a more innovative approach.

“Africa boasts the largest variety of marsupial species, but it also faces the highest rate of mammal extinctions,” explained lead researcher Andres Gambini. “Our ultimate goal is to aid in preserving endangered marsupial species like koalas, Tasmanian devils, northern hairy-nosed wombats, and Leadbeater’s possums.”

Australia’s Unique Marsupials at Risk

While marsupials are also found in the Americas and Papua New Guinea, about 200 species are native to Australia. Unfortunately, Australia has the world’s highest mammal extinction rate, having lost roughly 35% of its unique biodiversity since the 1500s. The country’s iconic animals—koalas, wombats, and kangaroos—are all marsupials.

Breakthrough IVF Technique for Marsupials

The experimental IVF process involved creating embryos through intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), a delicate technique where a single sperm is directly injected into a mature egg, as shown in the video. While this method may not seem groundbreaking for mammals, marsupials present unique challenges.

“Since eastern grey kangaroos are abundant, we used their eggs and sperm as a model to adapt embryo technologies typically used for domestic animals and humans,” Gambini explained. “Accessing marsupial tissues is difficult because they are less studied than domestic animals, even though they play a vital role in Australia’s biodiversity.”

“We are now fine-tuning techniques for collecting, culturing, and preserving marsupial eggs and sperm. By developing preservation methods, we aim to protect the genetic material of these rare and invaluable animals for future use, ensuring their long-term conservation.”

IVF’s Potential to Safeguard Endangered Marsupials

In the wild, marsupial infants are born underdeveloped and crawl to their mother’s pouch to continue developing externally. This makes them especially vulnerable, as they rely heavily on the mother for nursing. IVF offers the potential to create embryos that could help safeguard populations of endangered species, particularly those whose numbers have become too fragmented to find mates or produce genetically viable offspring.

“Although it’s hard to predict an exact timeline, with ongoing collaboration, funding, and technological progress, we are optimistic that the birth of a marsupial through IVF could be a reality within the next decade,” said Gambini. “This success with kangaroo embryos is incredibly rewarding, marking the culmination of years of research, training, and teamwork.”

So, while it may be a small leap for kangaroos, it could be a giant step for other marsupials facing the threat of extinction.

Read the original article on: New Atlas

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