Embryotools, a biotechnology centre based at the Barcelona Science Park (PCB), has achieved a global first in assisted animal reproduction with the birth of the world’s first foal conceived through maternal spindle transfer (MST) — a pioneering mitochondrial replacement technique originally developed to address infertility and hereditary diseases in humans.
After a decade of research, the Embryotools team successfully adapted MST for equine reproduction, allowing the preservation and transmission of valuable genetic material from competition horses affected by infertility. Unlike egg donation, the technique maintains the mare’s full maternal genetic contribution, opening new possibilities for lineage preservation and species conservation.
Dr. Nuno Costa-Borges, co-founder and scientific director of Embryotools, highlighted the breakthrough’s clinical potential:
“The success of MST in both humans and horses confirms it as a solid, reproducible reproductive tool with enormous potential. It enables healthy births where the only alternative was oocyte donation and has proven valuable even in high-value animal reproduction.”
The achievement was validated through genetic analyses conducted by the University of Oxford, confirming the technique’s feasibility and potential to enhance fertility in horses of high genetic value. Collaborations also involved the University of Ghent and Dymart Equine Fertility Center in Belgium, where the foal was born.
The results were presented at the 41st Conference of the Association of Embryonic Technology in Europe in Cork, Ireland, marking a milestone in veterinary and reproductive science.