Scientists discover way to segregate male sperm from female in animals, new study finds

MANILA, Philippines — A new study found that it is possible to segregate the male sperm from the female sperm in animals.

Researchers from the Hiroshima University in Japan found a new way to segregate the X-chromosome from the Y-chromosome bearing sperm, which could make choosing the baby’s sex possible, as published by PLOS Biology on Tuesday.

For the research, scientists led by Masayuki Shimad used mice sperm. A new chemical treatment was later added to the sperm, which resulting in the X-chromosome somehow slowed down, while the Y-chromosome sped up.

“The differential expression of receptor genes by the two sex chromosomes provides the basis for a novel and potentially highly useful method for separating X and Y sperm and we have already succeeded the selective production of male or female in cattle and pig by this method,” Shimada said.

However, Shihada noted that the use of this method in human reproductive technology is “speculative” as of the moment, adding that it also involves “involves significant ethical issues unaffected by the utility of this new technique.”