Sperm cell processing and preservation systems
AssigneeXy, LLC
InventorsWilliam M. C. Maxwell, Fiona K. Hollinshead, Justine K. O'Brien, Gareth Evans
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Abstract
Semen and sperm cell processing and preservation systems, and methods of producing a mammal and methods of producing mammalian embryos are disclosed. The present invention is directed to sperm cell preservation, fertilization, and insemination, maintaining or enhancing sperm quality and addressing one or more sperm cell characteristics, such as viability, motility, functionality, fertilization rates, and pregnancy rates. Further, sperm cell characteristics may be addressed within the context of various collection, handling, separation, storage, transportation, usage, fertilization, or insemination techniques.
Claims28
A method of processing sperm cells, comprising:
- obtaining once-cryopreserved sperm cells of a nonhuman mammal;
- thawing said once-cryopreserved sperm cells;
- sorting said once-cryopreserved sperm cells subsequent to thawing to yield an X-chromosome bearing sperm cell population or a Y-chromosome chromosome bearing sperm cell population;
- and
- cryopreserving said X-chromosome bearing sperm cell population or said Y-chromosome bearing sperm cell population to yield twice-cryopreserved sorted sperm cell populations effective upon thawing of fertilizing an egg which develops into a blastocyst of said nonhuman mammal.
A method of processing sperm cells, comprising:
- obtaining once-cryopreserved sperm cells of a non-human mammal;
- isolating said once-cryopreserved sperm cells by particle density gradient centrifugation at about 37° C., wherein said particle density gradient centrifugation includes a density gradient 90%:45% of an isotonic salt solution containing silane-coated silica particles and a Tris based diluent;
- sorting isolated once-cryopreserved sperm cells based on bearing either an X chromosome or a Y chromosome;
- and
- cryopreserving said once-cryopreserved sperm cells to yield twice-cryopreserved sperm cells sorted into an X-chromosome bearing population or a Y-chromosome bearing population effective upon thawing of fertilizing an egg which develops into a blastocyst of said non-human mammal, said cryodiluent including a zwitterionic HEPES buffer, 6% glycerol by volume, and 13.5% egg yolk.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.