Gender Selection is a procedure that allows patients to choose the sex of their baby. The selection of the gender of a couple’s baby – also referred to as family balancing – is available to Nadiya Clinic patients through PGS/NGS testing in conjunction with In Vitro Fertilization (IVF). Gender Selection is an inevitable byproduct of genetic testing because the sex of each embryo is identifiable. Gender Selection through PGS/NGS testing allows patients to select the sex of their embryos with more than 99 percent accuracy.
How Gender Selection Works
The gender of an embryo is determined by the chromosomes carried by the sperm. A sperm can carry either the X or the Y chromosome. The woman’s egg only contributes the X chromosome to the fertilized embryo. The presence of the Y chromosome in the sperm will create a male baby (XY). Two X chromosomes – one X from the sperm and one X from the egg – will produce a girl baby (XX).
Gender Selection in Conjunction with IVF Procedure
PGS/NGS testing takes place in conjunction with IVF in a controlled laboratory setting. Several days after fertilization of the patient’s eggs in vitro, a single cell is removed from each of the embryos that are developing.
- A single cell is removed from the embryo by a highly skilled embryologist using a laser and a microscopic glass needle
- The biopsy removing the cell does not damage the embryo
- The single cell’s genetic makeup and gender is analyzed by the embryologist under a microscope
- A decision is made as to the quality and gender of each of the individual embryos
- Only high-quality embryos of the desired sex are transferred
Sperm Sorting is not Preferred for Gender Selection
Another technique – Sperm Sorting – is used in the Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) industry for the purpose of Gender Selection. The technique of Sperm Sorting is not practiced at Nadiya Clinic.
What is Sperm Sorting?
Sperm Sorting is a process that involves separating individual sperm based on their weight. Weights between X and Y bearing sperm are predictably different. Fertility Lab technicians may be able to separate out the desired sperm and combine several with the hope of creating an embryo of a specific gender. This method is not 100 percent accurate and is not practiced at Nadiya Clinic.
As a leader in Gender Selection, IVF, and more, Nadiya Clinic is ready to support you in your journey to starting a family.