In vitro production of desired sex ovine embryos modulating polarity of oocytes for sex-specific sperm binding during fertilization

Sci Rep. 2022 Apr 7;12(1):5845. doi: 10.1038/s41598-022-09895-2.

Abstract

The present study aimed to modulate the oxidative status-mediated polarity of the oocytes for sex-specific sperm fertilization to generate desired sex embryos. In vitro embryos were produced at different oxidative status, varying O2 concentrations, and without/with L-carnitine in maturation and culture media. The majority of the embryos produced at high oxidative stress were males whereas; low oxidative status favoured female embryos production. Low O2 doubled the proportion of female embryos (10.59 vs 21.95%); however, L-carnitine supplementation in media increased approximately seven-folds of the female embryos (12.26 vs. 77.62%) production. Oocytes matured at high oxidative status were in the repolarized state favouring positively charged Y sperm fertilization to produce significantly more male embryos. Low oxidative status favoured negatively charged X sperm fertilization to the oocytes in the depolarized state to produce more female embryos. Intracellular ROS was significantly low in female embryos than in males; however, female embryos were more stressful than males. The study concluded that the oxidative status-mediated alteration in pH of the medium to modulate the intracellular positive ions is the main critical factor to influence the sex of embryos through sex-specific sperms fertilization to the oocytes as per their polarity.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Carnitine
  • Culture Media
  • Female
  • Fertilization
  • Fertilization in Vitro*
  • Male
  • Oocytes*
  • Sheep
  • Sheep, Domestic
  • Spermatozoa

Substances

  • Culture Media
  • Carnitine