Gender selection using IVF with PGD is virtually 100% effective. Gender selection is chosen by couples who wish to experience the joy of raising both a boy and a girl. Gender selection with PGD is also used to screen for many genetic diseases and for an abnormal number of chromosomes, broken chromosomes, translocations and other abnormalities. Gender selection is extremely effective in preventing sex linked genetic diseases. Some diseases can only be transferred to a particular sex, therefore embryos of the affected sex are not transferred to the uterus. Using gender selection, only embryos of the unaffected sex will be transferred to the mother. Gender selection is also chosen by couples who want a male child that can perpetuate their family name, or for any number of other personal reasons.

PGD has resulted in hundreds of normal births from parents at risk for transmitting genetic diseases. Selective implantation of embryos with normal chromosome compliments has been shown to result in high pregnancy rates with decreased spontaneous miscarriage rates.

Gender selection can also be accomplished by using Microsort technology used in combination with intrauterine insemination (IUI). Huntington Reproductive is one of few national centers that is employing the Microsort technology. The Huntington Reproductive Center, in partnership with the Genetics and IVF Institute in Fairfax, began investigating this technology in the early 1990's as part of an ongoing FDA clinical trial. Microsort® technology is only available at these two locations.

Gender selection employing PGD is more expensive than Microsort because the patient must undergo an IVF cycle to obtain embryos for the gender selection procedure. However, IVF success rates using PGD are the same as "non PGD" cycles and virtually 100% effective for sex selection. Microsort gender selection technology improves the chance of a female pregnancy to 89.5 percent after sorting. For a male, MicroSort® improves the success rate to 73.6 percent.

Gender selection and PGD are discussed in detail on our PGD/Gender Selection Web site. We provide descriptions of the various sex linked genetic defects, an overview of the history of PGD, and a detailed description of the procedure.

Gender Selection using PGD is performed in conjunction with an in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycle to produce embryos that can be biopsied. If indicated, techniques such as ICSI will be employed. As in a regular IVF cycle, the female receives ovulation induction medications ( FSH ) to cause the production of multiple eggs.

During the IVF cycle, all patients, including those undergoing gender selection, come to our clinic for periodic monitoring by ultrasound and measurement of estradiol hormone levels. These measurements insure that the eggs are developing normally and that the patient is not at risk for serious side effects, such as hyperstimulation syndrome.

Once the eggs mature and are ready for transfer, the patient comes to the office for the egg retrieval, which is accomplished using ultrasound guided transvaginal oocyte aspiration under mild sedation. The eggs are then combined with sperm in a Petri dish, and incubated from three to five days or until mature. Incubation maintains the embryos at the proper temperature and controls other environmental conditions. Once the embryos mature, they are ready for the PGD procedure.

Gender selection and genetic disease screening using PGD require that a small sample of the embryos DNA be taken for examination using FISH and/or PCR. FISH is fluorescent in situ hybridization where the chromosomes are labeled with fluorescent probes. PCR is a procedure using the polymerase chain reaction which makes multiple copies of the target DNA.

When gender selection is the goal, only embryos of the desired sex are transferred to the uterus. When screening for genetic diseases only embryos without the genetic defect and with the correct number of chromosomes, are transferred to the mother. PGD pregnancy success rates are similar to regular in vitro fertilization cycles and gender selection rates approach 100%.