F-Body Sperm Selection

The fluorescent body (F-body) sperm analysis is a laboratory procedure that comprises sperm separation methods and fluorescence microscopy. The technique is based on the fact that human sperm reveal a Y-body (male) under fluorescence microscopy, which, under fluorochrome staining, appears as a bright fluorescent dot or body in the sperm head.

A series of sperm washes and swim-ups are used to separate the XX (female) and XY (male) sperm. These portions of sperm are then stained and examined under a microscope to identify the percentage of XX and XY sperm in each portion of the separation. The F-body test increases the probability of selecting either XX or XY sperm for assisted reproductive techniques. Genesis Reproductive Centre is the only fertility clinic in Gauteng that employs the F-body test.