Sperm cell processing 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.
Claims17
A method of producing a non-human mammalian embryo comprising:
- obtaining sperm cells;
- cryopreserving the sperm cells;
- thawing the cryopreserved sperm cells;
- staining the thawed sperm cells;
- sorting the thawed sperm cells into X chromosome-bearing and/or Y chromosome bearing subpopulations by flow cytometry;
- establishing at least one sperm sample from the sorted sperm cells;
- cryopreserving the sorted sperm sample;
- and
- establishing an increased blastocyst development rate using motile sperm cells from the cryopreserved sorted sperm sample compared to the blastocyst development rate using the obtained sperm cells.
The method of claim of 1, wherein the step of establishing at least one sperm sample further comprises establishing a sample of the sorted, thawed sperm cells capable of fertilization in vitro of at least one egg.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.