| 摘要 |
<p>The invention relates to a method that uses the orientation of a sperm cell to determine cell differences due to size, mass, or density. Cell differences such as differences in DNA mass are used to distinguish X chromosome-bearing sperm cells from Y chromosome-bearing sperm cells and therefore have use in in-vitro and in-vivo fertilisation procedures. The orientation of individual sperm cells is determined by measuring non-fluorescent light. The method uses one detector to measure the magnitude of fluorescence (for DNA (sex) measurement from the flat surface of the spermatozoon), and a second detector to measure the magnitude of refracted non-fluorescent light derived from a separate light source. The separate light source is derived from part of a phase contrast or Dark field optical system to provide orientation data. Importantly, all excitation and fluorescent light is excluded from the second detection system by band-pass optical filters thereby providing for a cleaner signal from the concave edge (no fluorescence signal from the flat surfaces of the spermatozoon). It is reported that the orientation of a sperm cell when determined by passing light using optical phase contrast or Dark field optics through a sperm cell of interest provides for improved efficiencies, improved processing speeds and increased reliability in the results obtained. A further aspect of the invention describes an immobilising or ablative laser for immobising or destroying unwanted sperm.</p> |
