Composition and method to modify sperm function and increase male gender ratio in mammals

Abstract

A composition and method is provided for modifying sperm fertility in mammals for the purpose of biasing the gender in favor of male offspring. The composition includes an amount of a class of compounds of phenoxazine or phenothiazine, having the structure (FIG. 1 ) and ionic derivatives thereof, wherein R1 is H, a lower alkyl group or N(R3)2, R2 is N, S, O, and R3 is H or a lower alkyl group. A second component of the composition is an amount of a hexose sugar or the phosphorylated hexose esters of such. When mixed with living sperm prior to or at the time of insemination, the composition results in modified rates of conception and an alteration of the birth sex ratio mammals.

1 . A composition of matter which consists of a phenoxazine or phenothiazine compound, with said compound is selected from those having the structure ( FIG. 1 ) and ionic derivatives thereof, wherein R1 is H, a lower alkyl group or N(R3)2, R2 is N, S, or O, and R3 is H or a lower alkyl group; and a hexose sugar or the phosphorylated, hexose esters of such. 
   
   
       2 . As per  claim 1 , wherein said phenoxazine or phenothiazine compound is Brilliant Cresyl Blue, Brilliant Blue C, or Methylene Blue. 
   
   
       3 . As per  claim 1 , wherein said hexose sugar is selected from the following: fructose, mannose, glucose, and galactose, and their phosphorylated hexose esters: fructose-6-phosphate, mannose-6-phosphate, D-glucose-6-phosphate, and galactose-6-phosphate. 
   
   
       4 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the amount in the semen storage medium ranges from about 0.0001 mg/ML to about 100 mg/mL of phenoxazine or phenothiazine compound and ranges from about 0.001 mg/mL to about 100 mg/mL of hexose or phosphorylated hexose ester. 
   
   
       5 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the amount in the semen storage medium ranges from about 0.001 mg/mL to about 1 mg/mL of phenoxazine or phenothiazine compound and ranges from about 0.01 mg/mL to about 10 mg/mL of hexose or phosphorylated hexose ester. 
   
   
       6 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the amount in the semen storage medium is about 0.02 mg/mL of phenoxazine or phenothiazine compound and about 0.25 mg/mL of hexose or phosphorylated hexose ester. 
   
   
       7 . A method to modify sperm fertility, the method comprising (a) contacting living sperm with a composition of matter as per  claim 1 , wherein the amounts and time of contact are effective to produce the modification of sperm function, and/or motility and/or capacitation of sperm contacted with the composition of matter. 
   
   
       8 . A method of  claim 7 , further comprising the insemination of sperm contacting the composition of matter as per  claim 1 , wherein said sperm are inseminated into a receptive female for the purpose of producing an embryo or offspring. 
   
   
       9 . A method of  claim 7 , further comprising the insemination of sperm contacting the composition of matter as per  claim 1 , wherein said sperm are inseminated into an in vitro fertilization system for the purpose of producing an embryo. 
   
   
       10 . A method of  claim 7 , further comprising after step (a), step (b) freezing or cryopreservation of the sperm in the presence of the composition of matter of  claim 1 . 
   
   
       11 . A method of  claim 7 , further comprising the insemination of sperm contacting the composition of matter as per  claim 1 , wherein said sperm are gender-sorted prior to, during, or following contact with the composition of matter. 
   
   
       12 . A method of  claim 7 , further comprising the insemination of sperm contacting the composition of matter as per  claim 1 , wherein said sperm are frozen prior to or following contact with the composition of matter. 
   
   
       13 . A method to modify the probability of male offspring in mammals, the method comprising contacting sperm with a composition of matter as per  claim 1 , wherein the amounts are effective to modify sperm function, and more specifically, to modify the function of the Y-chromosome bearing sperm and the function of the X-bearing sperm and when inseminated into a receptive female will increase the probability of male offspring. 
   
   
       14 . A method of  claim 13 , further comprising the insemination of sperm contacting the composition of matter as per  claim 1 , wherein said sperm are inseminated into a receptive female for the purpose of producing and embryo or offspring. 
   
   
       15 . A method of  claim 13 , further comprising the insemination of sperm contacting the composition of matter as per  claim 1 , wherein said sperm are used within an in vitro fertilization system for the purpose of producing an embryo. 
   
   
       16 . A method of  claim 13 , further comprising after step (a), step (b) freezing or cryopreservation of the sperm in the presence of the composition of matter of  claim 1 . 
   
   
       17 . A method of  claim 13 , further comprising the insemination of sperm contacting the composition of matter as per  claim 1 , wherein said sperm are gender-sorted prior to, during, or following contact with said composition as per  claim 1 . 
   
   
       18 . A method of  claim 13 , further comprising the insemination of sperm contacting the composition of matter as per  claim 1 , wherein said sperm are frozen prior to or following contact with said composition of matter. 
   
   
       19 . A kit for modifying sperm function, and the probability of conception or the probability of male offspring, or the probability of conception and of male offspring arising from the sperm of mammalian species, the kit comprising in combination, the composition of matter of  claim 1 , wherein the composition is held in a suitable container and wherein the amounts contained are effective, in combination to modify sperm function, and to modify the probability of conception or the probability of male offspring, or the probability of conception and of male offspring arising from the sperm contacted with the composition, and instructions for use of the kit. 
   
   
       20 . The kit of  claim 19 , wherein the container of the composition of  claim 1  is of a volume approximately equivalent to the commercial standard volume of sperm in contact with the composition of matter of  claim 1 , and wherein the volume is between 100 micro liters and 100,000 micro liters and closed with a re-sealable septum. 
   
   
       21 . The kit of  claim 19 , wherein the sperm sample is transferred from the sperm sample container directly into the composition container for the purpose of contacting the composition of matter as per  claim 1 . 
   
   
       22 . The kit of  claim 19 , wherein the said sperm sample is transferred from the composition container back into the original sperm sample container or into a new sperm sample container, for the purpose of modifying the probability of male offspring by artificial insemination into a receptive female. 
   
   
       23 . The kit of  claim 19 , wherein the said sperm sample is transferred from the composition container back into the original sperm sample container or into a new sperm sample container, for the purpose of modifying the probability of male embryos by insemination into an in vitro fertilization system. 
   
   
       24 . A composition of matter which consists of a phenoxazine or phenothiazine compound, with said compound is selected from those having the structure ( FIG. 1 ) and ionic derivatives thereof, wherein R1 is H, a lower alkyl group or N(R3)2, R2 is N, S, or O, and R3 is H or a lower alkyl group. 
   
   
       25 . As per  claim 24 , wherein said phenoxazine or phenothiazine compound is Brilliant Cresyl Blue, Brilliant Blue C, or Methylene Blue. 
   
   
       26 . A method to modify sperm fertility, the method comprising (a) contacting living sperm with a composition of matter as per  claim 24 , wherein the amounts and time of contact are effective to produce the modification of sperm function, and/or motility and/or capacitation of sperm contacted with the composition of matter.