Process for separation and collection of viable female and male spermatozoa

• US 4,225,405 A
• Filed: 08/16/1978
• Issued: 09/30/1980
• Est. Priority Date: 08/16/1978
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Rommom L. Lawson
• Original Assignee: Rommom L. Lawson
• Inventors: Lawson, Rommom L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Prescott, Arthur C.
• Application Number:
  US05/933,988
• Time in Patent Office: 776 Days
• Field of Search: 204/180 R, 204/299, 23/230 B, 195/1.8, 128/1 R, 209/11, 209/173, 424/105
• US Class Current: 435/2
• CPC Class Codes: A61D 19/00 Instruments or methods for reproduction or fertilisation
• CPC Class Codes: A61D 19/04 for embryo transplantation
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 35/52 Sperm; Prostate; Seminal fluid; Leydig cells of testes
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 27/447 using electrophoresis

Abstract

A process is disclosed for separating and collecting viable female spermatozoa (XX chromosome) and male spermatozoa (XY chromosome). The process utilizes apparatus comprising two sterilized columns of glass, plastic or other suitable material, a ball valve, a vacuum pump, a mercury manometer, and connecting tubes of glass, plastic or other suitable materials. The system is assembled with rubber percussion gaskets or other suitable connecting materials, to prevent the introduction of extraneous air into the closed system, and a burp bottle to preclude unwanted introduction of fluids into parts of the system under vacuum. The column containing the semen sample may be of variable volume, to accommodate semen samples of varying volume and concentration.

The process may be modified by introducing into the system a direct and continuous electrical current flow, or by creating within the separating columns an electrophoretic field. The process may be further modified into a continuous-flow system by adding another mercury manometer, a Cartesian Diver regulator, a second burp bottle, and an over-flow collecting bottle connected to the two main columns.

Claims

1. A process for separating and collecting viable female spermatozoa (XX chromosome) and male spermatozoa (XY chromosome) in a semen sample, which process comprises subjecting the semen sample to negative pressure to cause the male spermatozoa to move to the top of the sample, wherein the semen sample is brought into contact with a semen extender material, the semen extender material being disposed in surmounting relation to the sample, the male spermatozoa migrating into the semen extender material on subjection of the sample and the semen extender material to negative pressure.

2. The process of claim 1 and further comprising the step of segregating an upper portion of the sample, which upper portion contains a greater concentration of male spermatozoa, from a lower portion of the sample, which lower portion contains a greater concentration of female spermatozoa.

3. The process of claim 1 wherein the negative pressure is equivalent to a manometric pressure of 30 inches of mercury.

4. The process of claim 3 wherein the negative pressure is applied to the sample for approximately one hour.

5. The process of claim 1 and further comprising the step of segregating the semen extender material from the semen sample, which semen extender material contains a greater concentration of male spermatozoa.

6. The process of claim 1 wherein the sample is subjected to a negative pressure different from the negative pressure applied to the semen extender material.

7. The process of claim 1 and further comprising the step of applying a direct electrical current to the sample to increase separation of the female spermatozoa from the male spermatozoa.

8. The process of claim 7 wherein the direct electrical current is applied at a varying voltage of approximately six volts.