~ 460 ~  ISSN Print: 2394-7500 ISSN Online: 2394-5869 Impact Factor: 5.2 IJAR 2016; 2(4): 460-462 www.allresearchjournal.com Received: 23-02-2016 Accepted: 22-03-2016 Prasanta Boro PhD Scholar, LPM Section, ICAR-Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar, Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh, India. Binoy Chandra Naha PhD Scholar, Animal Genetics Division, ICAR-Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar, Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh, India. Ambadas Madkar PhD Scholar, LPM Section, ICAR-Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar, Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh, India. Chandra Prakash MVSc Scholar, Animal Genetics Division, ICAR- Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar, Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh, India. Correspondence Prasanta Boro PhD Scholar, LPM Section, ICAR-Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar, Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh, India. Sexing of semen in bulls: A mini review Prasanta Boro, Binoy Chandra Naha, Ambadas Madkar, Chandra Prakash Abstract Sexed semen has brought a revolution to the dairy industry. It can be used to produce offspring of the desired sex from a particular mating. Dairy farmers can use sexed semen to produce replacement heifers from genetically superior cows. The process of commercialization of sexed sperm has gained momentum recently. Sexing of semen is based on the principle of difference in DNA content between X and Y spermatozoa. X spermatozoa contains more DNA. But, this technology is hindered by many factors like high costs, complexity of operation and lower pregnancy rates than with traditional semen. Despite the odds, sexed semen will contribute to increased profitability of dairy and beef cattle production in terms of milk, meat and other essential products. Keywords: Sexed semen, bulls, flow cytometer, DNA, traditional semen Introduction The latest breakthrough in animal reproduction is sexing of semen. Predetermination of sex in livestock offspring is in great demand and is of great importance for profitable dairy industry. With the changes that have taken place in animal husbandry over the past generation, the application of sex pre-selection to production systems has become increasingly important. Semen from many mammalian species can be sexed by flow cytometry or cell sorting machine at about 90% accuracy without damaging them (Sidel, 2003) [13] . Sexed semen is now gaining popularity amongst the dairy and beef industries and is reaching a point of commercialisation (Seidel, 2012) [14] . Its commercial application is also seen in several other species (Seidel, 2012) [14] . Successful use of sexed semen requires good Managemental practices, proper preservation of semen and requires skilled manpower. Why Sperm Sexing? 1) To produce calves of desired sex in both dairy and beef cattle 2) Herd replacement and herd extension can be done very quickly 3) To ensure birth of heifers when progeny testing of young bulls is desired 4) Combination of super-ovulation and insemination with sexed semen further increases the desired calf crop 5) In in-vitro fertilization programmes, one dose of sexed sperms can be used to produce many embryos of desired sex Difference between X and Y spermatozoa Parameter Difference DNA content Less in Y sperm size X sperm is larger Motility Y sperm is faster Surface charge X sperm is negative Cell surface antigen H-Y antigen on Y sperm Methods of Sperm Sexing There are many methods of sperm sexing. Important amongst them are as follows: 1) Albumin gradient 2) Percoll density gradient International Journal of Applied Research 2016; 2(4): 460-462