ogenous, but remains questionable when it is heterogenous (Coonen, 1996, p.134).Another technique used in sex preselection is called MicroSort. Utilizing new flow cytometric separation technology, the X or Y chromosome bearing sperm can be sorted and the enriched fraction of sorted sperm can be used for medical insemination (intrauterine insemination), in vitro fertilization, or intracytoplasmic sperm injection. (Genetics & IVF Institute, 1998) Normally, semen specimens contain an equal amount of X- and Y-bearing sperm. If either of the two can be increased, so can the chances of conceiving a child of that sex. This method is currently somewhat more successful for parents choosing to have a girl. It is expected to be five to six times more likely to have a female child, while on the other hand, the chances of a boy are only increased to 2: 1. Obviously, this does not result in the complete elimination of either X or Y chromosome bearing sperm in the final sperm preparation. This sorting technique has resulted in over four hundred offspring of various species as well as the recent births in humans. (Genetics & IVF Institute, 1998). The first people to use this technique were looking to avoid a deadly disease called hydrocephalus, which almost always effects boys. A healthy baby girl was born to the couple in August of 1996. As of April of 1998 eleven healthy babies have been born after using this procedure (Genetics & IVF Institute, 1998).Gametrics (also called the Ericsson method for its inventor) is a rather new technique that is used in conjunction with artificial insemination. The sperm is placed in a vertical glass tube that contains a solution that is used to slow its movement. The male sperm will swim down faster and the female sperm will remain at the top. The sperm of the desired gender can then be collected and used with artificial insemination. This method is about seventy-five to eighty percent effective in ac...
