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CSIRO CORPORATE MEDIA RELEASE 95/49

SPERM SEXING IN MARCONI CENTENARY CELEBRATIONS

Choosing the sex of your offspring before it is even conceived may soon be a reality, according to Dr Gareth Evans in an address to the Italy-Australia Seminar being held on 22-23 May, at CSIRO Division of Animal Production, Prospect, Sydney.

This breakthrough is the result of recent research showing that either male or female sperm can be isolated from semen. These 'sexed' sperm can then be used to produce male or female offspring, according to preference.

The ability to control sex is part of the latest research revealed at this seminar on "Developments in Animal Biotechnology". Extending the life of stored sperm and having eggs that will mature into live embryos are other exciting breakthroughs that will have ramifications for both animal and human reproduction.

Highlights from Italian and Australian experts in the field of animal production include:

• the use of embryo transfer to preserve rare animal breeds.
• breeding only top quality animals using embryo cloning and/or embryo transfer technology.
• identifying genes and DNA markers that influence the quality of animals and animal products.
• breeding animals that are disease resistant.
• using genetics, breeding and specialised feeds to improve the quality of beef for human consumption.

This seminar in Animal Biotechnology is being used by leading experts from Italy and Australia to exchange their latest research findings.

By forging stronger scientific links in areas which are at the forefront of technology, these two countries are now poised to make giant leaps forward in the area of animal breeding and production.

More information from:

INTERVIEWS CAN BE ARRANGED DURING THE CONFERENCE

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