Human Eggs Remain Healthy for Decades by Putting 'Batteries on Standby Mode'
Published:20 Jul.2022 Source:Center for Genomic Regulation
Immature human egg cells skip a fundamental metabolic reaction thought to be essential for generating energy, according to the findings of a study by researchers at the Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG) published today in the journal Nature.
By altering their metabolic activity, the cells avoid creating reactive oxygen species, harmful molecules that can accumulate, damage DNA and cause cell death. The findings explain how human egg cells remain dormant in ovaries for up to 50 years without losing their reproductive capacity.