Studies on Isolation of Y-specific DNA Marker and Development of Monoclonal H-Y Antibody for Embryo Sexing in Rabbit I. Sexing of Rabbit Morula by H-Y Antiserum from Female Rat Immunized by Rat Newborn Testis Cell as An Antigen

Y 염색체 특이성 DNA 분리와 단일 H-Y 항체 개발에 의한 토끼의 수정란 성 감별에 관한 연구 I. 정소를 항원으로 한 H-Y 항혈청에 의한 토끼 수정란의 성 판별

This study was carried out to determine effectively the sex of rabbit embryos using H-Y antiserum. H-Y antiserum was obtained from inbred SD strain female rat which was immunized by injection of testis cell of inbred SD strain male rate into its spleen. The titer of antiserum was identified by sperm cytotoxicity test and culture of rabbit embryos with antiserum. The developed or undeveloped embryos were separated by exposure the embryos to the antiserum with H-Y antibody. Developed embryo were transferred to the recipients and sex of offspring were examined. 1. In the sperm cytotoxicity test, the rate of dead sperm showed no difference between two antisera from spleen and testis cell as antigens. It is confirmed that H-Y antibody in antiserum was absorbed by H-Y antigen in male rat spleen cells. 2. When rabbit morulae were exposed to antiserum and complement, the rate of embryos developed or arrested was 51 and 49% respectively and the rate was closely same as natural sex ratio of 50:50%. 3. When rabbit morulae were cultured for 12h in the medium containing antiserum produced by antigen of testis cell, the rate of embryos developed or arrested was 48 and 52% respectively and the rate was closely same as natural sex ratio of 50:50%. 4. Eighty rabbit embryos which were not affected by H-Y antiserum were transferred to four recipients. Two recipients were pregnant and born 13 pups among which 2 (14%) were male and 11 (86%) were female. In conclusion, existence of H-Y antibody in the serum from female rat immunized by injecting testis cell from newborn male rat to the spleen of the female rat was confirmed. When rabbitmorulae were exposed to H-Y antiserum and complement, about a half of embryos were developed to blastocysts. When the rabbit embryos not affected by H-Y antiserum were transferred, the rate of female offspring was 86%. Therefore, it was identified that most of embryos which were not affected by H-Y antiserum were female.