In article <9607122341.AA2199 at cmbexternal.biogen.com>,
Tom_Parish/Cambridge/Biogen.BIOGEN at BIOGEN.COM (Tom
Parish/Cambridge/Biogen) wrote:
>> I have heard that Yale University has a centrifugation process for separating
> the sperm for parents who want to predetermine the sex of their child. The
> sperm are then delivered by artifical insemination. I have no idea what
their
> success rate is for this process.
The separation is based on the "fact" that Y sperm are supposed to swim
faster than X sperm, so that the preparation is enhanced for Y sperm. The
success rate is apparently above 50%, so perhaps there is something in it,
although it is far from absolute.
As an interesting aside, I talked to a colleague (Ob/Gyn) who specialises
in the immunology of pregnancy - whne I quizzed her about the expression
of H-Y on sperm, she gave the standard answer that I passed on previously
- then said - "But actually, you know, I don't think that's ever been
tested rigorously"
So if anyone has a grad student needing an interesting immunology project
- all the necessary reagents appear to be available.
Cheers, Mark
