Determination of the ratio of X and Y bearing spermatozoa after albumin gradient method using double-labelled fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH).

ABSTRACT

Determination of X and Y human spermatozoa by double labelled fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) is a new and more reliable method than Quinacrine hydrochloride staining for Y sperm identification. A preliminary report on determination of the ratio of X and Y sperm of normal semen of fifteen donors by double labelled FISH method before and after Y sperm separation by Ericsson albumin column method. This is currently popularized in Thailand. Results of standardized FISH technique has an average success rate of approximately 95 percent. Results of the experiment showed that the ratio of XY sperm before and after albumin column filtration is 50.0349.80 and 48.7751.00, respectively. Few spermatozoa have double sex chromosomes, XX, XY or YY. In conclusion, Y sperm selection by Ericsson's method is ineffective for male sex preselection.