A chromosomal method to distinguish between X- and Y-bearing spermatozoa of the bull in zona-free hamster ova

Abstract

Summary. The interspecific in-vitro fertilization system using zona-free hamster ova was adopted to distinguish chromosomally between X- and Y-bearing bull spermatozoa. Frozen semen samples were thawed and washed with modified BWW medium including 0·3% BSA (pH 7·2) to remove cryoprotective medium. Motile spermatozoa were recovered from the semen by the 'swim-up' method. These spermatozoa were treated with ionophore A23187 to facilitate capacitation. Adequate capacitation of spermatozoa was found by their movement patterns and the insemination was performed at the optimum time. The fertilized ova were cultured in Medium TC199 with 10% FBS including podophyllotoxin and vinblastine until they reached first cleavage metaphase. Chromosome slides were prepared by our gradual fixation–air drying method. The success rate of the method was 56% of the number corresponding to the zonafree ova used. Altogether 1116 spermatozoa from 4 different bulls were successfully analysed and the ratio of X- and Y-bearing spermatozoa was 542:574 (P > 0·3).