A new approach to immunological sexing of sperm

Theriogenology. 1999 Dec;52(8):1309-21. doi: 10.1016/s0093-691x(99)00219-8.

Abstract

A non-invasive, immunological method for sexing mammalian sperm would be of benefit to agricultural industries. This paper presents a new approach, based on the hypothesis that sex-specific proteins (SSPs) are evolutionarily more highly conserved than non-SSPs. Antibodies to non-SSPs were raised and used in an affinity procedure to remove non-SSPs and enrich for SSPs. Thereafter, using column chromatography, purified SSPs were obtained. Sex-specific antibodies (SSAbs) raised against these SSPs appear to bind to sex-chromosome-specific proteins (SCSPs) on the sperm membrane and make possible a sperm-sexing procedure. Antibodies to SCSPs were raised and used to identify putative SCSPs by affinity chromatography. The preliminary results presented here suggest that a viable immunological sperm sexing procedure can be developed.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antibodies
  • Biological Evolution
  • Cattle
  • Female
  • Immunoassay / methods
  • Kidney / embryology
  • Liver / embryology
  • Male
  • Membrane Proteins / analysis*
  • Ovary / embryology
  • Sex Determination Analysis / methods*
  • Spermatozoa* / immunology
  • Spleen / embryology
  • Testis / embryology

Substances

  • Antibodies
  • Membrane Proteins