Pre-conceptional Maternal Diet and Fetal Sex pre-selection

Abstract

Background: Natural sex selection methods have been applied for several decades, but their use and effectiveness are still a matter of debate. Sex selection could be needed for personal, social, or cultural reason. In most cases the principal medical indication for sex selection is to avoid giving birth to children with a sex-linked genetic disorder. Objective: this study was designed to assess the efficacy of a maternal diet as a method to improve the chances of conceiving a girl or boy. Subject and Methods: total of 200 women were recruited in this study. Patients were grouped in to two groups according to the advised type of diet. Group 1: 100 women supplied by diet rich in Na & K (if a male is desired) and group 2: 100 Women supplied by diet rich in calcium and magnesium (if female is desired). Compliance with diet was assessed through mineral analyses of blood. Results: It was found that in group 1 (patients consumed diet rich in Na and K for male selection) the result was 76 male offspring, 16 female offspring, and 8 abortions with successful rate of male child of 76%, while In group 2 (patients consumed diet rich in Ca and Mg for female selection) the result was 72 female offspring, 16 male offspring, and 12 abortions with successful rate of female child of 72%. Conclusion: maternal diet rich in Na , K and Ca ,Mg are factors capable of increasing the probability of conceiving a baby upon the desire of the couples.

Does Maternal Nutrition Have Any Impact on Sex Ratio at Birth in Animal and Human Studies?

“…In his study on 740 British women, Mathews et al (2008) found that the percentage of males at birth declined in industrialized regions for the past 40 years and attributed it to the popularity of women's reducing diets during the preconceptionally period and in early gestation. In contrast, the correlation with nutrition of the mother and the sex ratio late in pregnancy is weak 24,27 . Moreover, systolic and diastolic blood pressure of mothers during several weeks before pregnancy were significantly higher in those delivering boys compared with women delivering girls (systolic blood pressure, 112.5 ± 11.9 vs 109.6 ± 12.0 mm Hg; diastolic blood pressure, 71.7 ± 8.7 vs 70.4 ± 8.8 mm Hg, respectively; P < .0001) 21 .…”

“…In contrast, the correlation with nutrition of the mother and the sex ratio late in pregnancy is weak. 24,27 Moreover, systolic and diastolic blood pressure of mothers during several weeks before pregnancy were significantly higher in those delivering boys compared with women delivering girls (systolic blood pressure, 112.5 ± 11.9 vs 109.6 ± 12.0 mm Hg; diastolic blood pressure, 71.7 ± 8.7 vs 70.4 ± 8.8 mm Hg, respectively; P < .0001). 21 The mechanism by which pregravid blood pressure may relate to neonatal sex is unclear.…”

“…The results in group 1 (N = 100) showed a successful rate of 76% male offspring (16% female offspring and 8% abortions) ( P = .01). In group 2 (N = 100), the results showed a successful rate of female child of 72% (16% male offspring and 12% abortions with) ( P = .01) 27 . However, diet, the timing of intercourse, and voluntary abortions all differed, although the effect was attributed solely to the diet.…”

“…In group 2 (N = 100), the results showed a successful rate of female child of 72% (16% male offspring and 12% abortions with) ( P = .01). 27 However, diet, the timing of intercourse, and voluntary abortions all differed, although the effect was attributed solely to the diet. Moreover, assessing mineral levels in the blood is difficult, because none of them are good biomarkers of intake.…”