Mitochondria transplantation is very different from egg transplantation.

Speaking about "mitochondria transplantation," which can be applied to people who want to get pregnant or whose egg cells age prematurely, the Obstetrics and Gynecology, In Vitro Fertilization Specialist said, “We are not forming a child with someone else's genetic structure. As a matter of fact, the child genetically belongs to the mother by 99 percent. Here, the parts of the DNA that come through the mitochondria transplant are less than 1 percent. Since there is a gene transfer, even in a small amount, of course, it is a situation that couples should decide together.”

Evaluating mitochondria transplantation, which has come up recently, Obstetrics and Gynecology Specialist stated that mitochondria transplantation is an alternative to IVF efforts. Noting that this transplantation is so different from egg or sperm donation, Yıldırım emphasized that the baby born belongs only to that couple, and the genes belonging to someone else are present in the baby's DNA at a rate of less than one percent.

Defining mitochondria as the "generator of the cell," our specialist said, “The structures that provide energy to cells are called mitochondria. These are of great importance, especially in reproductive cells. For example, if the sperm's mitochondria become depleted or decrease, the sperm's movement is disrupted, losing its fertilization capacity. If the egg's mitochondria become depleted, again its capacity to fertilize, multiply, divide, and form a baby deteriorates.”

There Is No Age Restriction

Our specialist, who stated that mitochondria have their own genetic structures, said, “Moreover, this genetic structure is passed only and only through the mother. The biggest problem here is the decrease of mitochondria in reproductive cells with aging. Especially in advanced-age women or women who have tried IVF at a young age and whose eggs could not have been fertilized in any way, mitochondria transplantation can be performed. In these transfers, mitochondria can be collected from a person's own cells or a younger individual's cells. In a way, it is like a gene transfer because mitochondria carry the DNA passed through the mother's side. It is a method that can be applied especially in young people with ovarian aging and women who want children at an advanced age and have eggs devoid of the potential to divide. There are no age restrictions. It can be applied at any age when the individual has an egg."

The Child Belongs to The Mother By 99 Percent

Pointing out that mitochondria transplantation is so different from egg or sperm transplantation, our specialist gave the warning, “We do not form children with someone else's genetic structure. As a matter of fact, the child genetically belongs to the mother by 99 percent. Here, the parts of the DNA that come through the mitochondria transplant are less than 1 percent. This is not an objectionable procedure and you can say, "We had this procedure performed, the child no longer belongs to us." Here, mitochondria transplantation is not like sperm or egg donation. When a young person's mitochondria are transplanted, only another person's genes have been transmitted to the baby's cells. Because mitochondria are very specific and unique things. Even if a person receives the mitochondria from the outside, she gets pregnant with her own egg and is fertilized with her own egg. The baby to be born belongs to that couple again. Since ultimately there is a gene transfer, even in a small amount, of course, it is a situation that couples should decide together.”

The Solution for IVF Treatment

Stating that mitochondria transplantation is still at the experimental stage, but it is promising, Yeditepe University Hospital Gynecology and Obstetrics Specialist concluded their words as follows:
“This transplantation is an entirely experimental method at the moment. With the developing technology, in addition to stem cell therapies, storing eggs obtained when the individual is young has also become possible. Even now we store the eggs of individuals whose ovarian reserve has started to age, or who have early menopause in their family. The mitochondria are already frozen and stored inside these eggs. However, an application such as the separation and storage of mitochondria does not yet exist. In the future, perhaps mitochondria kits can be created. We will see all this over time. Because IVF developments are now blocked at some point. But rejuvenation methods such as these transplantations or PRP will be the solution for IVF treatments.”