The discovery, which opens the door for creative conservation tactics to protect Australia’s rare and endangered marsupials, was made by University of Queensland researchers using a human IVF process.
Australian scientists have made history by creating kangaroo embryos through in vitro fertilization (IVF) for the first time. As Australia has lost 38 species to extinction since colonization, they assert that this development could aid in the conservation of vulnerable creatures.
The eastern grey Kangaroo embryos were created by a group of researchers at the University of Queensland using intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), a method commonly employed in human IVF that involves injecting a sperm into an egg that has reached maturity.
The group’s findings were presented at the 2025 Annual Conference of the International Embryo Technology Society (IETS) and published in Reproduction, Fertility and Development.
The ground-breaking accomplishment offered important new information about marsupial reproduction and the conservation potential of assisted reproduction and the conservation potential of assisted reproductive technology, according to lead researcher Dr. Andres Ganbini.
“Australia has the highest mammal extinction rate on the planet, but it also has the greatest diversity of marsupial fauna”, he stated.
Dr. Gambini continued, “Our ultimate goal is to support the preservation of endangered marsupial species like Leadbeater’s possums, Tasmanian devils, northern hairy-nosed wombats, and Koalas”.
Prior to using ICSI to create embryos, the scientists evaluated the development of kangaroo eggs and sperm in the lab during the trial. “Because eastern grey kangaroos are overabundant, we collected their eggs and sperm for use as a model to adapt the embryo technologies already applied to domestic animals and humans”, explained Dr. Gambini, describing the procedure.
Despite being iconic and essential to Australian biodiversity, marsupials are less studied than domestic animals, making it difficult to obtain their tissues. We are currently improving methods for gathering, cultivating, and storing marsupial sperm and eggs”, he stated.
In order to secure the protection of these rare and valuable species, Dr. Gambini and his team are working to create preservation techniques that will protect their genetic material for future use. “Although it’s hard to give a precise time frame, we are optimistic that the birth of a marsupial through IVF could happen within ten years with continued funding, cooperation, and technological advancements”, he stated.
A summary of the study was published in the journal Reproduction, Fertility and Development, and the research was presented at a conference of the International Embryo Technology Society in January.
