THREE PARENT IVF

by
Andrean

INTRODUCTION
IVF is a type of ART involving controlled ovarian
hyperstimulation, retrieval of oocytes from ovaries
fertilization in the laboratory transcervical transfer of
embryo into the uterus.
Three parent IVF / mitochondrial donation / mitochondrial
manipulation technology(MMT) is a special form of IVF in
which the future babys mitochondrial DNA comes from a third
party.
It is used in cases where mothers carry genetic mitochondrial
diseases and conventional IVF techniques dont work.

MITOCHONDRIAL DISEASES
Mitochondrial diseases occur due to
mutation in mtDNA or in nuclear genes
coding for mitochondrial components.
mtDNA is maternally inherited.
Diseases involve parts of the body
using more energy , causing loss of
muscle coordination, heart, liver and
neurological diseases.

 Examples of diseases/
syndromes :
Diabetes mellitus and deafness
Cardiovascular
Parkinsons
Lebers hereditary optic neuropathy
Neuropathy, ataxia , retinitis
pigmentosa and ptosis( NARP).
Myoclonic epilepsy.

History
In the US(1996) embryologist
Jacques Cohen discovered
cytoplasmic transfer.
Cytoplasm of an egg( donor) injected
into egg off mother fertilized with
sperm and placed in the womb.
Not considered as mitochondrial
donation- mothers faulty
mitochondria still present.

 Feb 2015, UK govt passed the human

fertilization and embryology
regulations which came into force
OCT 2015
Made human mitochondrial donation
legal in UK
Currently not approved as safe in US
Prohibited in china .

Techniques
1. Pronuclear transfer

 2. Spindle transfer technique

Ethical Issues
Involves modification of the germline ,
leading to designer babies , whereby
certain traits are fixed/ changed.
Human embryos in vitro research is
controversial as embryos are created
specifically for research .
Financial compensation of egg donors.
Children with 3 genetic parents may
suffer psychological damage.

Conclusion
Requires further research with
regards to safety and efficacy
Needs long term follow up of children
born as a result of these techniques.
Techniques are potentially useful for
patients whose offspring have severe
/ lethal genetic mtDNA disease.

references

THANK YOU