KUN0065 4 GEN 0211 KUWAIT /KUNA-FYK2 SCI-SCIENCE-MAMMAL Scientists reproduce world's first mammal without sperm TOKYO, April 22 (KUNA) -- Researchers from Japan and South Korea said they have succeeded in causing mice to give birth to offspring without any male involvement, the first ever achievement in the world in mammals. The mice developed to adulthood and showed normal reproductive performance, according to the research team, led by bio-Science Professor Tomohiro Kono at the Tokyo University of Agriculture. The reproduction process, known as parthenogenesis, occurs among insects and some birds but was previously considered impossible among mammals such as mice and humans. The researchers produced mice from what are called H19 genes, found only in female mice. These genes, contained in the ova, function like those in sperm. "The method to reproduce offspring from eggs can be applied to selective livestock breeding," Kono said, adding, "The process is too complex to work with human genes." Kono also said the results suggest that paternal imprinting prevents parthenogenesis, ensuring that the paternal contribution is necessary for the offspring. The achievement is reported in detail in the April 22 edition of English Nature magazine. (end) m.rk KUNA 221911 Apr 04NNNN