Science and Technology
2020
Biotechnology Basics
Genetic Engineering
Health and Diseases

In the context of recent advances in human reproductive technology, “Pronuclear Transfer” is used for

D.prevention of mitochondrial diseases in offspring
B.genetic modification of sperm producing cells
C.development of stem cells into functional embryos
A.fertilization of egg in vitro by the donor sperm

Correct Answer: Option D

A pronucleus is the nucleus of a sperm or egg cell during fertilization.

Pronuclear Transfer is a technique used in mitochondrial transfer to prevent mitochondrial diseases in offspring.

The process involves:

  1. Fertilizing a healthy donated egg with the intending father's sperm.
  2. Simultaneously, fertilizing the intending mother's affected oocytes with the intending father's sperm.
  3. Allowing both sets of fertilized oocytes to develop to the early zygote stage where pronuclei are visible.
  4. Using micromanipulation, removing the pronuclei of zygotes formed from donated oocytes within a karyoplast and discarding them.
  5. Moving the two pronuclei from the affected zygotes (in the form of a karyoplast) into the enucleated healthy zygotes.

The resulting zygotes contain nuclear DNA from the intending parents and donor's mtDNA.

Therefore, pronuclear transfer helps in the prevention of mitochondrial diseases in offspring.

Hence option (d) is the correct answer.