Australian-based scientists have produced the world’s first kangaroo embryo through in vitro fertilisation, hailing it as a key step towards saving endangered marsupials.

The University of Queensland-led team said it employed the technique on eastern grey kangaroos – which number in the millions – with the aim of eventually using IVF for rarer marsupials.

“Australia is home to the greatest diversity of marsupial fauna on the planet but it also has the highest mammal extinction rate,” Andres Gambini, lead researcher, said in a statement.

“Our ultimate goal is to support the preservation of endangered marsupial species such as koalas, Tasmanian devils, northern hairy-nosed wombats and Leadbeater’s possums.”

Scientists produced the embryos using a technique that involves injecting a single sperm directly into a mature egg.

“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,” Mr Gambini said.

“We are now refining techniques to collect, culture and preserve marsupial eggs and sperm.”