Flow cytometric determination of the proportions of X- and Y-chromosome-bearing sperm in samples of purportedly separated bull sperm.

A rapid assay for determining the proportions of X- and Y-chromosome-bearing sperm in semen samples would benefit research aimed at sex ratio control through sperm separation. It also would be of value for quality control should a separation technique be developed. Flow cytometric methods capable of measuring sperm DNA content precisely enough to resolve and quantify the X and Y populations in many mammalian species have been developed. They are effective for fresh and cryopreserved sperm of most domestic animals. Results are reported of flow cytometric analyses of bull sperm samples from seven commercial and academic sources after processing with procedures purported to separate the X and Y populations. In no case was enrichment of either sperm population observed. Breeding trials carried out by the sources of two of the sets of samples showed these procedures were ineffective in altering the sex ratio.