Author
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RATH, D - MARIENSEE, GERMANY |
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Johnson, Lawrence |
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Submitted to: Forschungsbericht
Publication Type: Other Publication Acceptance Date: 2/15/1997 Publication Date: N/A Citation: N/A Interpretive Summary: Technical Abstract: Recent advances in the separation of X and Y chromosome bearing spermatozoa have led to the availability of a method (Beltsville Sperm Sexing Technology) to preselect the sex in several mammals. Progeny using this procedure have been produced in cattle, sheep, swine and laboratory animals. Mammalian sperm are inherently different in that the X sperm carries from 2.8 to 7.5% more DNA than the Y sperm. The process utilizes the fluorochrome Hoechst 33342 to bind to the DNA. The relative DNA is measured by passing the living sperm through a laser beam and collecting the light energy from the individual sperm. The proportions of sorted X and Y sperm in each tube can be validated by reanalyzing an aliquot for DNA content. The sorted sperm are used to inseminate eggs via in vitro fertilization (IVF) or by surgical insemination into the oviduct or the uterus of appropriate females. Sperm are sorted at the rate of 0.5 million per hour for most species with the expectation of 90% or greater of one se or the other being born. Progeny in cattle using IVF have been produced at greater than 90% accuracy; rabbits have produced greater than 90% females. Progeny produced from pigs average 85% for one sex or the other. All progeny produced (N=>300) have exhibited completely normal morphological appearance and normal reproductive function. Because of the inability to obtain large numbers of sorted sperm in a short amount of time, the technologies use for regular artificial insemination would not be practical in most domestic species. This sexing technology however is very applicable where IVF, intrauterine or intratubal insemination are convenient means for producing offspring. |
