In this work, a 19KDa, male specific protein, from bovine spermatozoa, was purified using gel filtration chromatography. A monoclonal antibody (Mab) developed (C11F) against this protein discriminated two populations of spermatozoa, as revealed by immunofluorescence in microscopy and flow citometry. The epitope recognized by Mab C11F was present in 49.7% of spermatozoa population. When added to fresh bovine semen, the Mab C11F reduced the motility and promoted agglutination of the spermatozoa.
spermatozoa; bovines; immunosexing; male specific protein; monoclonal antibody