Scientists at Shanghai Jiao Tong University have successfully produced fertile adult mice from embryos made entirely with male genetic material. This breakthrough reveals that genomic imprinting, a mechanism that regulates gene expression based on parental origin, is the main barrier to creating live offspring without a maternal contribution.
Researchers used CRISPR-based editing to correct specific epigenetic marks in androgenetic embryos, which are created by combining sperm from two males with an egg. The team reconstructed 587 diploid embryos and implanted them into 18 mice, resulting in three healthy pups that survived to adulthood. These mice were fertile and had normal behavior, producing healthy offspring.
The study’s findings suggest that genomic imprinting can be overcome through precise epigenetic engineering. The researchers found that correcting the epigenetic marks required for successful development led to improved expression levels of imprinted genes associated with certain genetic regions.
This achievement opens new avenues in reproductive biology and developmental genetics, providing insights into how genetic material from two males can be combined to create live offspring. However, further research is needed to fully understand the mechanisms involved and to overcome any potential unknown imprinting elements that may hinder success.
Source: https://phys.org/news/2025-06-mice-born-dads-reveal-hidden.html