Production of Sex-specific Bovine Embryos Using Immunoselected Spermatozoa

The development of an effective technology that permits the selection of sperm bearing either a X or Y chromosome without damaging fertilization capacity of the sperm and embryo development is of great interest in animal production because it will permit the farmers to chose the sex of offspring when breeding their animals. In order to develop such technology, this research project will explore the use of single domain antibodies or nanobodies that specifically attach to Y-chromosome-bearing as a method to produce sex-selected bovine embryos. Single domain antibodies labeled with nanospheres will be used to magnetically separate bovine spermatozoa. The selected sperm will be used to fertilize in vitro matured bovine oocytes. The sex of the embryos that developed in vitro after 7 days of culture will be determined by PCR amplification of specific DNA sequences. If proven effective, this technology will have great economic impact on the industry of artificial insemination and animal production.

Faculty Supervisor:

Dr. Vilceu Bordignon

Student:

Marcelo Silveira Albornoz

Partner:

AB Biotech Inc.

Discipline:

Animal science

Sector:

Agriculture

University:

McGill University