Advances in the last ten years in sperm sexing technology now allow its introduction, albeit limited, in AI production centres. Offspring from seven mammalian species (cattle, pigs, rabbits, horses, sheep, elk and humans) have been produced after sperm sorting based on fluorescence flow cytometry and DNA content,what are the potential parameters for sorting sperm?
As I have reviewed some literature following are some parameters affecting sperm sorting as well as sperm,
1.The flow cytometer itself- the availability of nozzel
2. The orientation of sperm during sorting procedure
3. The cryopreservation procedure for sorted sperm, as sperms are damaged during sorting
4. Reported lower conception rate in heifer than cows
5. Although dead sperms are removed during sorting but the sorted sperm can be evaluated for DNA damage, fertilizing capacity and for various vital parameters.
6. There is very much wastage of semen. As per various reports it is 50 to 80%
7. The standerdization/modification of technology at lab level as well as skill of of operator is important concern.
Gaci,
In terms of application, recently, 0.1 million doses of sexed pedigreed Holstein Friesian semen is said to have been imported into India by the Punjab State Government for use on high yielding animals on belonging to farmers, on subsidised terms.
Dear Selvarajan, it is very interesting to learn that Indian government imported a big lot of sorted semen to use with the cows belonging to farmers. Could you please tell us more about the success rate, problems (if any) and may be concerns?
The import of sexed semen in India is there but still there is no documented report.
The states like Pujab, Hariana, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Westbengal, Gujarat has availability of sorted semen through various firms, this information can be cited from the web site of Indian government, foreign trade. But as i mentioned earlier there is no official record regrading success rate and its use.
As I read from different books, one of the most efficient and widely used methods for sperm sex sorting is based on fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) and staining sperm with a DNA-binding fluorescent dye to separate sperm based on the quality of the DNA content. the bovine X-chromosome-bearing sperm contain 3.8% more DNA than Y-chromosome bearing sperm, which allows their separation by FACS.
Another potential parameter could be membrane integrity. This can be achieved by adopting fluorescent probes like lectins to the sorting procedure to select against sperm with damaged or capacitated plasma membranes.
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