3D-printed ovaries may help infertile women give birth to healthy babies

In a breakthrough research, scientists claim to have created artificial 3D-printed ovaries with biological hydrogel which could make conceiving possible for infertile women.

The study was carried out by researchers from the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine and McCormick School of Engineering.

Sterilised mice were used for the experiment in which their ovaries were replaced by artificial 3D-printed ovaries. They later gave birth to healthy babies.

The artificial ovaries even helped the mice to produce breast milk to feed their newborn.

The 'ovary scaffold or skeleton' were implanted in female mice, which supported survival of immature egg cells, as well as the cells



that aided hormone secretion and enhance production.

The open structure also allows room for the egg cells to mature and ovulate, as well as blood vessels to form within the implant enabling the hormones to circulate within the bloodstream and trigger lactation after giving birth.

"This research shows these bio-prosthetic ovaries have long-term, durable function," said Teresa K Woodruff, a reproductive scientist and director of the Women's Health Research Institute at Feinberg.

"Using bioengineering, instead of transplanting from a cadaver, to create organ structures that function and restore the health of that tissue for that person, is the holy grail of bioengineering for regenerative medicine," Woodruff added.