Sperm separation attempts via the use of albumin gradients in rabbits

The objective of this study was to evaluate the sedimentation method using albumin gradients to determine whether it could help pre-select sex in rabbits. Of the 21 litters produced during natural mating, the sex ratio was 52.8% males which did not differ (P>0.05) from 55.3% males (nine litters) produced via AI from semen recovered after sedimentation through albumin gradients. The results obtained in this study are consistent with some but not all previous data. The quality of the recovered spermatozoa improved (P<0.05) when compared to those in the whole ejaculate. The sex ratio results obtained in this study suggest that sedimentation methods via the use of albumin gradients may not be effective for separating X and Y spermatozoa. Furthermore, actual sex ratio data should be stressed in all future studies with X and Y sperm separation, in addition to the $\text{in}$$\text{vitro}$ data generated.