Sperm sorting

Researchers at Colorado State University claim to be able to reliably sort sperm with X chromosomes from those with Y chromosomes, thereby allowing the selection of a mammalian offspring's sex when employing artificial insemination. A special dye stains sperm differently depending on which sex chromosome they have. The dyed sperm cells are given a small charge and then blown past a laser that can identify the colour changes. An electrostatic plate deflects X chromosome bearing sperm into one container and the Y chromosome bearing sperm into another. The researchers say they can sort bovine sperm at the astonishing rate of at least a thousand per second.