Separation of human X and Y spermatozoa by albumin gradients and Sephadex chromatography

Abstract

Two methods of separating X and Y spermatozoa in human sperm were evaluated. In the first method, the semen was laid over bovine serum albumin in order to obtain high proportions of Y spermatozoa. The mean number of Y spermatozoa increased from 52% to 74%. For the second method, the semen was passed through columns of Sephadex G50 in order to increase the proportion of X spermatozoa. The X spermatozoa increased from a mean of 60% to 74%. The degree of separation in individual samples showed considerable variation in both methods. In some samples only a 6% change in the proportion of X and Y spermatozoa could be obtained, whereas in others the increase was 37%. The proportion of motile spermatozoa showed a marked increase with the Sephadex method.