Gender Selection In Depth
Definition
It is the process via which it it is attempted to increase the chances of having a male or female child, by separating sperm with the X chromosome (female) or Y chromosome (male), and inseminating with whichever sample is desired. It can also be accomplished sorting at pre-implantation of an embryo via PGD. It has been marketed under the title family balancing.
Indications
The most frequent indication for gender selection is "family balancing," when one gender is already represented in the family unit and the other gender is desired. However in other cases, indications may be for parents who are carriers of various genetic diseases who may want to reduce the risk of having genetically affected children and can choose to have babies of the gender associated with a less severe form of the disease.
Success Rates
Our success rate via gender selection using the modified sedimentation method employed at our Institute by Prof. Zavos is approximately 86% for male and 74% for female selection. Our statistics are among the best in the field of gender selection and have been employed by us for the last 25 years. Meanwhile, the success rate for gender selection using the IVF/PGD method is 100% for male or for female selection.
Our Approach
At our centers, we are totally committed in assisting those couples that wish to have the child of the gender of their choice. We believe that it is a fundamental right and no one should take it away from them. It is because of our strong belief in those basic principles and our total dedication in the field of reproductive medicine that we commit our know-how and years of expertise in assisting you, the patient and the parent to be. We employ methodologies such as sperm selection or pre-implantation genetic diagnosis (PGD), in assisting couples that wish to predetermine or choose the sex of their child. You may view the specifics regarding those methods or options below:
Sperm Selection
Embryo Screening
Summary
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Make an appointment and on day of ovulation, you will come to our facilities to have it done.
We use a modified Sedimentation Method to sort the sperm into two fractions (male:female). -
After sorting we IUI (Intra-Uterine Insemination) the woman with the desired sperm fraction.
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Advantages
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It is highly cost-effective
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Can be done at our Center
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It takes 3-4 hours to complete.
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Disadvantages
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It yields lower success rate of desired gender (86% for male; 74% for female)
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No PGD on the embryo is necessary; we only treat the sperm
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Cost: It is only $1,500 and it is paid on the time of service
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Where: It is done at our Center at the Andrology Institute of America
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(This price does not include the IUI procedure)
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Summary
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Embryos are created outside the womb using traditional IVF techniques.
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Utilizes PGD to determine the sex of the embryo.
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Embryo of desired gender is implanted into womb via ET.
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Advantages
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Chance of desired gender is near 100%
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PGD can be used to check for other genetic defects (Aneuploidy)
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Disadvantages
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It is an invasive procedure with hyperstimulation
Requires rather complex in vitro techniques
Significantly More expensive -
Can not be done at home
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Cost: $12,000-$15,000
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It is done at our own IVF referral centers
Sperm Selection (sorting)
The gender selection that we utilize at our Center is a convenient and simple way to "up the odds" of having a baby of the desired gender (boy or girl).
The procedure is rather simple and straight forward: You may call our offices in Lexington Kentucky, USA (859-278-6806) and make your appointment at any time prior to having the procedure done.
Once you make your appointment and on the day of your ovulation, it will be necessary for you to physically come to our facilities, where our personnel under the direction of Professor Zavos, will obtain a fresh specimen from the male partner and apply the sorting process to sort the male and/or female sperms.
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Then we make them available to you where under the medical guidance and attendance of one of our referring OB/GYN-infertility specialists will perform the placement of the semen sample into you via artificial insemination using intrauterine insemination techniques.
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Embryo Screening with PGD​
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The new scientific advances offer virtually guaranteed results. Recent advances in the fields of genetics, genetic diagnosis, embryo biopsy and preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) have opened up a new world of opportunities for couples interested in achieving a healthy pregnancy. ​
The way that the PGD technology works in selecting the sex of the embryo is by employing embryo biopsy. Couples undertaking in vitro fertilization (IVF) are given the opportunity of knowing the gender of each embryo prior to the decision concerning which embryos shall be returned to the womb via embryo transfer and which shall be safely stored for a later date for transfer.
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​The overall process is carried out as an egg is taken from the woman during IVF and fertilized with sperm outside the womb creating what is sometimes referred to as a "test tube baby". The fertilized egg yields an embryo which can then be screened using PGD before transferring to the womb.
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​While IVF with PGD is not the the only method for sex pre-selection offered by our Center, it is the only procedure where success rates are as high as 99.9% for either gender. It also presents zero risks to the mother or the produced child.
