Sydney, Feb. 6 -- Australian scientists have successfully produced the first kangaroo embryos through in vitro fertilisation (IVF) in a major breakthrough for conservation efforts.

In a study published on Thursday, the team led by researchers from the University of Queensland (UQ) detailed how they produced the eastern gray kangaroo embryos by injecting sperm into a mature egg, a process commonly used in human IVF called intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI).

Lead researcher Andres Gambini said that the groundbreaking achievement could support the conservation of Australia's endangered iconic marsupials, including koalas, wombats, possums and Tasmanian devils.

"We aim to safeguard the genetic material of these unique and precious ani...