Gender Selection- Huntington Reproductive Center
California Infertility Clinic
Gender selection has become a popular option for couples desiring to choose the sex of their children. We offer gender selection, sometimes referred to as “family balancing”, at our California infertility clinic. Gender selection is often used to reduce the possibility of transmitting genetic disease to an offspring in “at risk” couples. Other couples choose gender selection because they want to experience the joy of raising a male and female child.
Gender Selection and Genetic Disease
Gender selection can help prevent the transmission of certain genetic diseases. Some of these genetic diseases are carried on the X or Y chromosome, which also determines the sex of the offspring. The genetic structure XX yields a female child while the XY arrangement produces a male.
Hemophilia is an example of a genetic disease carried on the X chromosome that puts male children (XY) at risk for the disease. Using preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD), male and female embryos can be identified and only female embryos are transferred to the uterus. PGD is virtually 100% effective in identifying the gender of embryos. We have a separate PGD Web site with extensive information on the procedure.
The Microsort® procedure increases the probability of a particular sex from an IUI cycle using “sorted” sperm.
Gender Selection Methods
Gender selection “methods” abound on the Internet ranging from proven techniques like preimplantation genetic diagnosis and Microsort® to unproven “therapies” such as specific vitamin regimens, varying sexual positions, and many more that can be expensive and ineffective. A reproductive endocrinologist, infertility specialist should be consulted for the best chance of successfully choosing the sex of a child.
Microsort® for Gender Selection
Huntington Reproductive Center and Genetics and IVF, Fairfax, VA are the only fertility centers in the United States authorized by the Food and Drug Administration to offer Microsort® as a part of a national study. However, physicians worldwide send sperm to these two centers for sorting.
Microsort® gender selection of male and female sperm is based on the measurable difference in the quantity of genetic material (DNA) they contain. The sperm absorbs a dye, which attaches temporarily to the DNA, or genetic material, inside the individual sperm. When exposed to laser light, the dye fluoresces.
Since the X chromosome is larger than the Y, there is more DNA for the dye to attach to and, consequently, the sperm with the X chromosomes will fluoresce more brightly than those with Y chromosomes. The flow cytometer is able to pick up these differences in brightness and separate the sperm as they move through the machine one at a time.
Once the Microsort® technique is complete, the “sorted” sperm are introduced into the uterus using the IUI procedure. Currently, MicroSort® sperm sorting technology improves the chance of a female pregnancy to 89.5 percent after sorting. For a male, MicroSort® has improved the chance to 73.6 percent.
Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis (PGD) for Gender Selection
Gender selection, employing preimplantation genetic diagnosis, is conducted during an IVF cycle. The female undergoes ovulation induction with FSH to recruit numerous eggs that when mature are withdrawn transvaginally and combined with the partners sperm. The resultant embryos are cultured from 3-5 days during which time the PGD procedure is conducted. PGD is also used to screen for abnormal numbers of chromosomes, broken or damaged chromosomes, and other anomalies.
Basically, PGD involves screening embryos using fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) and/or the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Using FISH the chromosomes within the polar body are labeled with probes making it possible to identify those with an abnormal number of chromosomes, broken chromosomes, or translated chromosomes. In cases involving more subtle abnormalities, on the scale of single genes or even DNA bases or single gene diseases, highly specialized techniques such as PCR are required. Such methods rely on the fundamental principles of the genetic code, and specifically on the cell's ability to generate a matching, or complementary segment of DNA. (Please visit our PGD site for more extensive information.)
Gender selection using PGD requires that a small sample of the embryos DNA be taken for examination using FISH and/or PCR. Only embryos of the selected sex are transferred to the mother. PGD pregnancy success rates are similar to regular in vitro fertilization and sex selection rates approach 100%.
Please visit our PGD-Baby.com Web site or call us for more information.
Gender Selection Additional Information
*Caution:
This procedure uses an investigational device. Limited
by federal law to investigational use. |
