Sperm test for male child is one of the topics of interest in fertility science. These tests are usually performed to assess the genetic and chromosomal characteristics of the sperm to provide insights into the proportion of sperm carrying Y and X chromosomes. Although these methods do not directly guarantee the sex of the child, they will play an important role in the efforts related to gender selection. In this article, we will examine the accuracy of this test from your doctor in more detail.

Can a sperm test detect male sperm (Y)?

Generally, the usual sperm test is not able to detect sperms with X or Y chromosomes. This test examines the number, motility and shape of the sperm and does not reveal genetic information such as the gender of the sperm. Therefore, there is no routine test to determine how many male (Y) or female (X) sperm are in the sample or which is more likely to be fertile.

There are more specialized tests, such as the Y-Chromosome Microdeletion Test, which are performed to detect the absence of part of the genes on the Y chromosome. But these tests are for diagnosing the genetic health of sperm and causes of male infertility, not for determining the gender of a boy.

This test is usually done for men who have problems like azoospermia or oligospermia. Although these tests provide information about a man's reproductive performance, they are not able to separate X and Y sperm and determine the gender of the fetus through them.

Assisted fertility methods such as in vitro fertilization (IVF) are one of the scientific and reliable ways to choose gender before pregnancy. Unlike home methods, these techniques determine the gender of the fetus with high accuracy. In this process, eggs are first removed from the ovary and fertilized with sperm in the laboratory. The formed embryos are then subjected to genetic evaluation to determine their sex.

Only the embryo that has the desired gender (for example, a boy) is transferred to the uterus. This method is also used in therapeutic cases such as preventing the transmission of sexually transmitted diseases. In fact, IVF combined with genetic screening (PGT/PGD) is a guaranteed method of gender selection. This screening allows the chromosomes of the fetus to be examined and to determine whether each fetus is XX or XY.

Since this method is based on the direct examination of the embryo's genetics, unlike sperm separation methods, it is much more accurate. Sex selection in accredited centers is done only under ethical and medical conditions and according to the laws of each country. However, this method is usually costly and requires specialized treatment procedures; But from the scientific point of view, it is considered the most accurate way to have a boy or a girl child.

2. X and Y

One of the old and relatively well-known methods for sex selection is the separation of sperm carrying X and Y chromosomes. In this technique, sperms are stained with special fluorescent dyes and attached to DNA. Since X sperm has more DNA than Y sperm, its fluorescent intensity is also higher. Then, using an advanced device called Flow Cytometer, sperms are separated from each other based on fluorescence intensity and DNA weight.

After separation, the selected sperms are used in procedures such as intrauterine insemination (IUI) or in some cases IVF to increase the probability of pregnancy with the desired gender. Despite this, the success rate of this method is not 100% and it is usually between 70 and 85% accurate.

Also, due to high cost, ethical restrictions and legal prohibitions in some countries, it is less used today. However, in situations such as preventing the transmission of diseases related to the X chromosome, this method will be a useful option.

3. IVF combined with genetic screening (PGT/PGD)

In IVF gender selection combined with pre-implantation genetic screening (PGT/PGD), the woman first undergoes ovarian stimulation to produce several mature eggs. After the follicles reach the appropriate size, the doctor collects them from the ovary using a puncture or egg extraction method. Eggs are fertilized with sperm in the laboratory and become multicellular embryos within a few days of cell division.

This step is performed under highly controlled conditions and using precise laboratory equipment so that the embryos are in the best condition for genetic examination. In the next step, one or more cells (depending on the laboratory technique) are removed from each embryo and subjected to genetic and chromosomal analysis. This test allows the identification of sex chromosomes (X or Y) and possible disorders such as trisomies.

Then only the embryos that are genetically healthy and have the desired gender are selected for transfer to the uterus. The PGT/PGD method is the most accurate and the only almost 100% method to determine the sex of the fetus before pregnancy. For this reason, it is also very useful in medical cases such as preventing diseases related to the X chromosome.

Facts and limitations of sperm testing for a male child

About How is the sperm test It should be said that although the semen test provides accurate information about the number, shape (morphology) and overall quality of the sperm, these results do not necessarily indicate the ability of the sperm to create a male pregnancy. For example, it is known that optimal sperm count and morphology are more related to the probability of normal pregnancy, but sperm motility, contrary to popular belief, is not a reliable predictor for determining the future gender of the fetus.

In fact, Y and X sperm are similar in many appearance characteristics and routine laboratory examination will not differentiate them. On the other hand, standard semen analysis does not measure the complex conditions and processes that sperm must go through in the female reproductive system.

Factors such as changes in uterine pH, cervical secretions, competition between sperms, exact timing of ovulation and even environmental factors affect the probability of conception, but cannot be assessed in sperm testing. For this reason, no routine semen analysis can predict or guarantee the gender of the baby. Only methods based on assisted reproduction such as IVF with PGD have an acceptable accuracy and success rate.

Conclusion

Although sperm testing and isolation can increase the chances of pregnancy with the desired gender, there is no 100% sure way to determine gender before natural conception. The success of these techniques depends on the quality of the sperm, the method of assisted reproduction used and other biological factors. Therefore, it is always recommended that this process be done under the supervision of fertility specialists and with full knowledge of its limitations. We recommend that you consult a specialist doctor to perform a sperm test for a male child. After a detailed consultation, make the final decision.

Your doctor takes care of your health!