Immunological method and composition for controlling the sex of mammalian offspring

Abstract

Abstract An immunological method for controlling the sex of mammalian offspring, making use of spermatozoa which has been previously separated into fractions having the desired sex characteristics an antigens. A substantially pure sperm fraction containing the sex chromosomes of a single type (i.e., X chromosomes or Y chromosomes) is introduced into the body of a mammal in sufficient quantity to produce antibodies in the blood stream. A blood sample is then taken from the mammal, the blood coagulated and the blood serum containing the antibodies isolated. Fresh mammalian sperm is inoculated with the blood serum to inactivate and destroy sperm reactive with the antibodies in the blood serum and the treated sperm used to artificially inseminate the female, thereby inducing conception and offspring of desired sex as determined by the remaining unreacted sperm. In one application of the invention, antibodies reactive with either the X or Y chromosomes may be added to a dose of semen to cause death to sperm containing that type of chromosome before insemination. Alternatively, the antibodies may be introduced into the female either prior or subsequent to copulation (e.g., in a vaginal jelly or as a vaccine) to provide the possibility of sex selection at conception or possible embryonic death to a fetus of undesired sex.

Inventors

• 👤 Bhairab Chandra Bhattacharya
• 👤 Gustaaf J Van Den Bovenkamp

Bibliographic Details