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Published on: August 22, 2013
Failure of multitube sperm swim-up for sex preselection
C J De Jonge1, S P Flaherty, A M Barnes
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha 68198-3265, USA. CDEJONGE@MAIL.UNMC.EDU
Objective:
To use double-label fluorescence in situ hybridization to evaluate a modified swim-up procedure that is purported to be effective for preconceptual sex selection.
Design:
Controlled, blinded study.
Setting:
University hospital laboratories.
Patient(S):
Donor males reporting for routine semen analysis.
Main Outcome Measure(S):
Percentages of X- and Y-bearing spermatozoa in neat semen and in two swim-up fractions, determined using double-label fluorescence in situ hybridization.
Result(S):
No clinically significant change from a 1:1 ratio was found in the distribution of X- or Y-bearing spermatozoa after double-label fluorescence in situ hybridization following a modified swim-up procedure and irrespective of the time (15, 30, 45, and 60 minutes) allowed for swim-up.
Conclusion(S):
Using fluorescence in situ hybridization, a modified swim-up procedure was evaluated for its purported ability to skew the relative percentages of X- and Y-bearing spermatozoa. No clinically significant change in the ratio of X- to Y-bearing spermatozoa was detected independent of time. Therefore, clinical application of this procedure should be strongly discouraged.
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