Sex determination of bovine embryos using H-Y antibodies |
| |
Authors: | B Avery M Schmidt |
| |
Institution: | Department of Reproduction, Royal Veterinary and Agricultural University, Biilowsvej 13, DK-1870 Frederiksberg C, Denmark |
| |
Abstract: | 6 days old bovine embryos (n = 126) were obtained from 8 superovulated cows or heifers by flushing the uteri and oviducts either non-surgically or after slaughter. Part of the embryos (n = 72) (morula stages) were placed in Ham's F-10 or PBS supplemented with 10% fetal calf serum (FCS) diluted 1:1 with supernatant from the H-Y antibody producing clone and cultured at 38 degrees C, in 5% CO2/95% air and 100% humidity. Control embryos (n = 54) were cultured in H-Y antibody free medium. After culture the embryos could be separated into a blastocyst--and a morula group. A subsequent colchemid and hypotonic treatment and fixation and Giemsa staining allowed a precise karyotyping, and thus sex determination for 36 H-Y antibody treated embryos and 22 control embryos. The limiting factor for proper karyotyping was lack of metaphases, incomplete methaphases or poor preparation. Among the H-Y antibody treated embryos we found 7 males and 15 females in the blastocyst and 14 males and 0 females in the morula group. A statistical analysis of these proportions led to the conclusion that the H-Y antibody had a significant influence on the sex ratio. |
| |
Keywords: | sex ratio cattle karyotyping monoclonal antibodies |
|
|