Sexed Semen - Advanced use of new technologies  
In the fertilization process, it is the bull’s sperm cell that determines the gender of the resulting offspring. The process of gender-sorting semen involves a flow-cytometer, which uses a series of dyes and light rays to detect a visible difference in DNA content between sperm cells carrying the X chromosome and cells carrying the Y chromosome. The X chromosome will produce a female embryo and the Y will produce a male.

 

Trans Ova Genetics is able to sort fresh or frozen semen for use in on-site in-vitro fertilization (IVF) and embryo transfer. The application of this technology can increase the odds of creating embryos - and then offspring - of desired gender with up to 90 percent accuracy1.

With donors housed at a Trans Ova Genetics station equipped to practice IVF, breeders and owners can choose the sire they wish to use on eggs harvested from their elite females.  This includes frozen semen of any bull - past or present.  If the semen can be delivered to the Trans Ova Genetics lab, it can be thawed, sorted and used in the fertilization process.

Breeders know the value and cost of using the best bulls in their AI breeding programs.  It is an investment necessary to create the performance pedigrees that will compete in the years ahead. Trans Ova Genetics' applied use of semen sexing helps get the most out of an investment in semen from the most popular bulls. In the IVF process, sexed semen can be used on multiple (up to eight) donors' eggs at the same time.
1Trans Ova Genetics data on file.