Method for sex determination of mammalian offspring

Abstract

A method for increasing the percentage of mammalian offspring of either sex which comprises contacting a semen sample with an antibody specific for the spermatozoa determinative of one sex and separating said spermatozoa from spermatozoa determinative of the other sex, said antibody being bound to a non-porous magnetic bead support having a diameter of 0.1 to 2 microns.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A method for separating spermatozoa determinative of one sex from spermatozoa determinative of the other sex comprising contacting a semen sample with antibody specific for a spermatozoa determinative of one sex, and plastic beads, and separating spermatozoa bound to the antibody and linked to the beads from the sample.  
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the antibody is linked to the plastic beads through a linking compound.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the linking compound is an antibody.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the linking antibody is IgG.  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the linking compound is protein A.  
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the antibody specific for the spermatozoa determinative of one sex is IgG.  
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the antibody specific for the spermatozoa determinative of one sex is specific for Y-bearing sperm.  
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the antibody specific for Y-bearing sperm is a monoclonal antibody.  
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the antibody specific for Y-bearing sperm is a polyclonal antibody.  
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the antibody specific for Y-bearing sperm is specific for an H-Y antigen.  
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the antibody specific for the spermatozoa determinative of one sex is specific for X-bearing sperm.  
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the antibody specific for X-bearing sperm is a monoclonal antibody.  
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the antibody specific for X-bearing sperm is a polyclonal antibody.  
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 7 , further comprising 
 allowing the beads to settle, and    removing the remaining supernatant rich in X-bearing sperm.    
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the supernatant rich in X-bearing sperm is subjected to the method at least one additional time.  
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising recovering the beads to collect Y-bearing sperm.  
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 1  1, further comprising 
 allowing the beads to settle, and  
 removing the remaining supernatant rich in Y-bearing sperm.  
 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the supernatant rich in Y-bearing sperm is subjected to the method at least one additional time.  
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising recovering the beads to collect X-bearing sperm.  
     
     
         20 . A method of artificial insemination comprising, 
 contacting a semen sample with antibody specific for a spermatozoa determinative of one sex, and beads, and separating spermatozoa bound to the antibody and linked to the beads from the sample and    artificially inseminating a mammal with the spermatozoa determinative of one sex.    
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the antibody is linked to the beads through a linking compound.  
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the linking compound is an antibody.  
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein the linking antibody is IgG.  
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the linking compound is protein A.  
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the antibody specific for the spermatozoa determinative of one sex is IgG.  
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the antibody specific for the spermatozoa determinative of one sex is specific for Y-bearing sperm.  
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein the antibody specific for Y-bearing sperm is a monoclonal antibody.  
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein the antibody specific for Y-bearing sperm is a polyclonal antibody.  
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein the antibody specific for Y-bearing sperm is specific for an H-Y antigen.  
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the antibody specific for the spermatozoa determinative of one sex is specific for X-bearing sperm.  
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein the antibody specific for X-bearing sperm is a monoclonal antibody.  
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein the antibody specific for X-bearing sperm is a polyclonal antibody.  
     
     
         33 . The method of clam 20, wherein the beads are selected from the group consisting of plastic beads and magnetic beads.  
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 33 , wherein the magnetic beads have a diameter of 0.1 to 2.0 microns.  
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 34 , wherein the magnetic beads have a diameter of 0.1 to 0.5 microns.