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 clinics serving Southern California and the Los Angeles area. Gender selection is often used to reduce the possibility of transmitting sex linked genetic diseases to an offspring in “at risk” couples. Other couples 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 and are termed "sex linked" genetic 
diseases. 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 and not females. Using preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) for gender selection, 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.
Another gender selection technique offered by a few select fertility clinics, including Huntington, is Microsort® . Microsort increases the probability of a particular sex resulting 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 vitamin regimens, varying sexual positions, and many more that can be expensive and have no clinical proof of effectiveness. A reproductive endocrinologist, infertility specialist should be consulted for the best chance of success.
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.
Gender selection using Microsort® to sort 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 PGD, 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.
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%.
We have a separate PGD Web site with extensive information on gender selection, sex linked genetic diseases, and numerous chromosomal abnormalities.
Gender Selection Additional Information
*Caution:
This procedure uses an investigational device. Limited
by federal law to investigational use.
