> If we were to use a Flow cytometry can it seperate either the xx or xy chromosomes from a sperm A sperm is [haploid][1]. It contains either `Y` or `X` but not `XY` or `XX`. [Sperm sorting][2] is the process of sorting sperm cells based on specific trait of interest. Whether the sperm is carrying a `X` or a `Y` chromosome is definitely of interest to many. There are a number of methods for sperm sorting (see [wiki > sperm sorting > methods][3]), one of which is indeed [flow cytometry][4]. Flow cytometry is typically used to seperate `X` bearing sperms form `Y` bearing sperms. You should typically have a look at Beltsfield Sperm Sexing Technology ([Johson et al. 1999][5]). [1]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ploidy [2]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sperm_sorting [3]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sperm_sorting#Methods [4]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sperm_sorting#Flow_cytometry [5]: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15526798