Why isnt it viable to combine two “male” sperm cells together in an empty egg cell(ovum) to generate a viable embryo artificially?

Question

Considering that we used one 23Y and one 23X (Or two 23X) sperm cells to avoid a 46YY genotype,why wouldnt it work?

In: Biology

Answer 1

An egg (ovum) provides not just half the genetic material but also needed cellular machinery and nutrients that kickstart the development of an embryo. Sperm cells are specialized to deliver DNA but lack the cellular environment needed to support development. During the formation of eggs and sperm, certain genes are marked, or “imprinted,” to be active or inactive depending on whether they come from the mother or the father. These imprints are needed for normal development. Combining two sets of paternal DNA would disrupt this balance, leading to abnormal development. Normal human cells have 46 chromosomes, organized into 23 pairs. Each parent contributes one chromosome per pair. Sperm cells and egg cells are haploid, meaning they contain 23 unpaired chromosomes. When two sperm cells combine, the resulting cell would have 46 unpaired chromosomes, rather than 23 pairs, causing significant genetic issues and preventing normal development. Sperm cells are specialized for their role in fertilization, and they are not equipped to merge with each other in a way that would allow for normal cell division and embryo development. They are designed to fuse with an egg cell, which provides the necessary environment and signals for proper embryonic growth. It’s intriguing. The biological processes and requirements for creating a viable embryo are complex.