Subscribe now

Colorado State University says it can reliably sort sperm with X chromosomes
from those with Y chromosomes, allowing the sex of mammalian offspring born by
artificial insemination to be chosen. The key to the process is a dye that
stains sperm cells slightly different colours depending on which sex chromosome
they have. The dyed sperm are given a small charge and then blown past a laser
that detects the colour changes. An electrostatic plate deflects X-bearing sperm
into one container and Y-bearing sperm into another (WO 99/33956). The
university says it can sort bovine sperm at the rate of at least a thousand a
second. The technique can be applied to human sperm.

Sign up to our weekly newsletter

Receive a weekly dose of discovery in your inbox. We'll also keep you up to date with New Scientist events and special offers.

Sign up
Piano Exit Overlay Banner Mobile Piano Exit Overlay Banner Desktop