I came across a couple of patents suggesting the potential use of aptamers for sperm sorting X and Y but I wasnt sure of the efficiency and credibility of the process.
I have no idea, but a cool question. Are the surface markers for an X vs. Y sperm different?
Technically they should have the same surface markers because they target the same celll: the ovum
The surface markers seem to be the same and the difference being restricted to nucleotide sequence specific to X or Y.(as per my understanding).
Even then there still exists questions regard to efficiency and viability of the method.
Thanks to you both. That's why I asked the question - without some differential expression on the surface, I wouldn't expect aptamers (or antibodies) to be useful for sorting. Sorting based on chromosomal staining (FISH) might be possible but much more invasive. Apparently some research is being done on FACS separations utilizing differential response to an external electric field.
@ George If you could post an article for sorting based on response to an external electric field that would be great.
Thanks
I thought that there were male specific antigens (H-Y antigens) that could be detected. Then theoretically it should be possible to select binding aptamers, in a similar way to getting antibodies to bind.
Technically and biologically, both X- and Y-bearing sperms should be uniform. Biology is so intelligent that it has made provision to "share" all cellular contents (including proteins and RNAs) across the X- and Y-bearing sperms through the formation of inter cellular bridges during spermatogenesis. It is highly unlikely that two sperms are different except for the X- and Y-chromosome. A patent is only an idea. Success lies in making that idea a reality. If you can find a way to introduce the chromosome-specific aptamer into the sperm, hybridize the aptamer to the the chromosome and find a way to either eliminate or purify the sperm of your choice, then this techniques could work. You may want to make sure that this manipulation does not affect viability of the desired sperm.
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