It is possible to determine the sex of embryos resulting from IVF and then ensure that embryos of a particular sex are placed back into the uterus. This allows couples to attempt to choose the sex of their baby in advance of pregnancy. The methods involve include IVF and pre-implantation genetic diagnosis (PGD).Pre-implantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) comprises a series of techniques used to diagnose and exclude genetic abnormalities of embryos and oocytes prior to their return to the body during an IVF treatment cycle. These methods also allow the determination of X and Y chromosomes. If an embryo has two X chromosomes (XX) it is a female or an X and a Y chromosome (XY) it is male.
Who will benefit from Gender Selection ?
Essentially, any couple who might who wish to have a balanced family can benefit from PGD. In particular, genetic disorders in a previous child or family member (such as Cystic Fibrosis, a prior history of Down’s syndrome or another numeric chromosomal disorder, those with chromosomal balanced translocations (or prior pregnancy with an unbalanced translocation) and all women over the age of 35 may benefit from various types of PGD.
PGD Technique
Gender selection requires the patient to undergo an IVF cycle during which oocytes are collected and embryos developed. Five days after egg collection, embryos usually consist of 130 to 170 cells. Each embryonic cell has the potential to continue grow to establish pregnancy. Five to eight cells are removed for assessment. The embryo will usually continue to develop normally. The removed cells are analyzed for X and Y chromosomes using the FISH technique (see below). Then those embryos that are determined to be of the desired sex are transferred back to the uterus at the blastocyst stage of embryonic development.
Testing for sex determination is undertaken by fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH). Probes are designed that will attach to part of a chromosome. Each probe has a fluorescent signal of a unique colour attached. One set of probes called five colour FISH consists of probes with different coloured signals, designed to hybridise to chromosomes X and Y. Normally we should see two signals of one colour for female embryos and one signal each of different colours for male embryos.
Does gender selection always work?
Unfortunately not. It is possible that all the available embryos are of the opposite sex or none of the correct sex embryos are suitable to achieve pregnancy through IVF.
Gender selection is currently suspended in Australia
The Australian Health Ethics Committee (AHEC) has issued a re-draft of its Ethical Guidelines on the Use of Assisted Reproductive Technology in Clinical Practice and Research policy, to include a guideline to the effect that, “pending further community discussion”, sex selection should not be performed for non-medical reasons. The main reason AHEC gives is its perspective that “Sex selection is incompatible with the parent-child relationship being one that involves unconditional acceptance”.
But help is available
Should you wish to consider gender selelction please contact Superior ART - an IVF service in Bangkok, Thailand. Superior ART uses world leading PGD technology developed by in Australia by Sydney IVF. It is possible to under go IVF / PGD treatment for gender selection although this will require travel to Thailand.
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About us Dr McIlveen and Dr Woolcott provide the experience, knowledge and expertise required to give you the highest possible chance of successful pregnancy. They are is two of a very select group of Royal Australian College doctors who have under taken sub-specialty training in Infertility. |
Arrange your personal consultation Please give us a call should you wish you can arrange a personal consultation with Dr Woolcott or Dr McIlveen to assess your situation. When organising an appointment it is often necessary to juggle home and work commitments and so it is usually best to do so by telephoning our office. |
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Introduction to infertility Fertility and infertility are the result of complex functions of the human body. A great number of events and conditions have to be just right and working together in order to achieve a pregnancy. So it’s not really surprising that as many as one in six couples will experience some degree of infertility. |
Improve your chance of pregnancy There are a range of simple things you can do to improve your chance of achieving a successful pregnancy. They include a healthy diet, watching your weight, regular exercise, reducing alcohol and cigarette consumption and a balanced approach to sexual activity. |
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Sydney IVF Newcastle Sydney IVF is Australia's and one of the world's premier providers of assisted conception and genetics. Our Newcastle clinic is situated in Lingard Private Hospital in Merewether NSW. The clinic provides the scientific and logistical backing for Dr Woolcott & Dr McIlveen to assist you with more complex forms of fertility treatment. |
Newcastle Ultrasound for Women Provides a specialised ultrasound service for women. It is a collaborative service operated jointly with Sydney Ultrasound for Women. With expert female sonographers and a caring personalised service second to none - the advanced technology of the practice is an important adjunct to fertility management. |
This web site is intended for information only
While providing a useful source of practical and theoretical detail on the management of infertility and related conditions the information contained on this web site is not intended to be a substitute for a consultation with a qualified medical specialist. Decisions regarding treatment should only be made after discussion with your doctor. While every effort is made to ensure all information contained within this site is accurate and up to date, no guarantee is made nor implied to its accuracy.
