The Effect of Ion-Exchange Column Chromatography on Separation of X and Y Chromosome-Bearing Human Spermatozoa*

Separation of X and Y chromosome-bearing spermatozoa has been attempted using ion-exchange column chromatography, with cation- and anion-exchange resins of low, intermediate, and high ionic strength. Examination of F-bodies on the Y chromosome of treated human sperm and progeny resulting from insemination of treated rabbit spermatozoa indicates that in none of the cases investigated did the treatment cause a separation of X and Y chromosome-bearing spermatozoa. The treatment does appear to filter out dead rabbit (and bull) spermatozoa, but the possible beneficial effects of this phenomenon are as yet uninvestigated.