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Published on: October 9, 2013
Sex preselection through albumin separation of sperm
F J Beernink1, W P Dmowski, R J Ericsson
1East Bay Fertility Obstetrics-Gynecology Medical Group, Berkeley, California 94705.
Objective:
To determine if passage of sperm through columns of liquid albumin before their use in artificial insemination could affect the sex ratio at birth.
Design:
Sperm were isolated by layering over columns of liquid albumin. The isolated fractions were inseminated into the uterus on the presumptive day of ovulation.
Setting:
Patients were treated in 65 clinical practices (Sperm Centers) located both in this country (57) and abroad (8).
Patients:
Individuals were self-selected by their desire to have a child of a specified sex.
Main Outcome Measure:
The sex of offspring resulting from the insemination of isolated sperm.
Results:
Insemination with sperm isolated to enhance male sex preselection produced 71% and 76% males depending on the technique. Use of isolated sperm in women who were taking clomiphene citrate was associated with a 69% birth of females.
Conclusions:
Separation of sperm on columns of liquid albumin can affect the sex ratio at birth.
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