Microsort

MicroSort is a new scientific method, currently in clinical trial, that increases the chance of a couple having a child of a particular gender. Ninety percent of the applicants are purely interested in family balancing; the rest are hoping to prevent X-linked diseases that can only be passed on to boys. MicroSort can also be used to try and prevent the transmission of X-linked disorders, diseases that moms carry and can transfer to boy babies but not girls, such as hemophilia and Duschenes muscular dystrophy. It lowers the risk of transmitting these disorders but isn't 100 percent effective.

MicroSort is used before conception to separate sperm into those that either primarily produces girls or those that primarily produces boys. Microsort sorts the X sperm from the Y sperm in a man's semen sample by dyeing the sperm and then passing them through the beam of a laser. Because X sperm carry more genetic material, they glow slightly brighter than Y sperm. The end result is not a pure sample of male or female sperm but one that is "enriched" with the gender of choice.

Currently, MicroSort sperm separation for female gender selection (X Sort) results in an average of 88% X-bearing sperm in the sorted specimen. MicroSort sperm separation for male gender selection (Y Sort) currently results in an average of 73% Y-bearing sperm in the sorted specimen. In other words, The method is about 88 percent successful when it comes to choosing girls and about 73 percent successful for boys.

For most couples, the sorted sperm sample is then used with simple intrauterine insemination (IUI) to achieve pregnancy. For couples who need additional assistance achieving pregnancy, MicroSort can be used with in vitro fertilization (IVF) and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). Couples using MicroSort for the prevention of X-linked disorders may also consider using pre-implantation genetic diagnosis (PGD).

Since the application of MicroSort technology to humans has just recently become possible, only limited information is available on pregnancy rate, risks, or outcome in humans. The process is currently in an FDA clinical trial using an investigational device in accordance with FDA regulations and its use by patients requires the patients' informed consent.