Gender selection (Huntington Main Web site had additional information) is a common procedure sought by many couples coming to Huntington Fertility Centers.  The reasons for gender selection are varied but often couples want a child of each sex to experience the joy of raising a boy and a girl (family balancing). Others may want to continue the family name with a male child or have other personal reasons.

Gender selection can help couples who could potentially transmit a sex linked genetic disease (disease carried on the sex chromosome) to their children. Gender selection using PGD is virtually 100% effective in preventing the transmission of some sex linked genetic diseases. For example, hemophilia can only be transferred from an affected mother to her son.  Once IVF has produced viable embryos, they are examined using preimplantation genetic diagnosis which allows the embryologists to determine the sex of the embryos. If the mother has hemophilia, only the female embryos will be transferred.

Gender selection can also be accomplished using the Microsort procedure which separates sperm into male and female sperm 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. 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.

Gender selection success rates are higher using IVF and PGD. One must always consider the IVF success rates of the program they choose as this relates directly to the chance of having a child using PGD. Huntington’s IVF success rates greatly exceed the national averages.  In addition to gender selection, PGD is capable of identifying broken or translocated chromosomes, and can screen for many specific genetic diseases that are not sex linked.  

The mother must undergo an IVF cycle utilizing ovulation induction drugs (FSH) to ultimately produce embryos for gender selection.  These drugs cause the recruitment and development of many eggs which are required for the ART procedures. While undergoing IVF, the mother must periodically come to one of our fertility centers for ultrasound monitoring of the follicles and estradiol measurements. These tests document follicular development and help prevent unwanted side effects.

Once the eggs mature, they are withdrawn from the follicles using ultrasound guided transvaginal egg retrieval under general anesthesia. Once the eggs are withdrawn they are passed to the embryologist for identification and removal from the follicular fluid.  Eggs have no sex as they are haploid cells containing half of the parent’s genome.  When sperm combines with an egg and fertilization ensues leading to an embryo, sex can determined. In other words, normal embryos are either male or female. Embryos are usually cultured for 3-5 days or until the embryologist judges them mature.

Gender selection is performed using preimplantation genetic diagnosis before the embryos are transferred to the mother.  Excess embryos can be frozen for a future cycle or donated to another couple. A small sample of the embryo’s DNA is removed for genetic diagnosis and this does not harm the embryo.  PGD is accomplished using gender selection relies upon PGD / FISH, DNA probes that are labeled with colored fluorescent tags that light up so one can see specific chromosomes, or genes, under a microscope thus allowing the chromosomal make-up, and sex, of the embryo to be interpreted. PGD using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is used to identify certain genetic diseases. Gender selection allows only unaffected embryos to be transferred to the mother.  This process is discussed in detail on the “PGD Processes” page.
 
Gender selection methods are often promoted aggressively on the Internet and in other media. These treatments range from different intercourse positions to baking soda douches, etc. PGD and Microsort are the only reliable methods of gender selection that stand up to sciences rigid scrutiny. Microsort relies upon "separating" sperm whereas PGD actually enables identifying the sex of the embryo prior to embryo transfer in an IVF cycle.

Gender selection is provided in southern California by Huntington Reproductive Fertility Centers. Huntington is a leading provider of PGD for gender selection and for screening genetic diseases. Huntington has been at the forefront for most developments in assisted reproductive technologies including gender selection, PGD, ICSI, assisted hatching and others. We strive to make new procedures available as soon as clinical efficacy is documented.

Huntington also conducts ongoing research aimed at discovering new and more effective diagnostic and treatment options for our infertile couples. Oftentimes, we make research protocols available to our patients. See the Clinical Studies section of havingbabies.com.