This blew me away. And if true - how cool would that be.
It is said that the sperm carrying the Y chromosome uses energy faster than the sperm carrying the X chromosome. The energy utilization is said to be due to the speed in which sperm swim. Supposedly, the Y sperm is speedy or contains less mitochondria whereas the X sperm is slower or carries more mitochondria. Mitochondria are the energy producing cellular components which are absolutely necessary for life.
Sperm contain, and can only produce, so much fuel for their journey. If one sperm type swims faster than another, the consequence of that, of course, is faster arrival - but also faster expiration.
That said, if a woman knows her cycle and when she ovulates, the odds of baby gender prediction can be in one's favor.
Sperm can reach the fallopian tubes in about 20 minutes to 2 hours. Sperm are viable for about 4-7 days inside the woman. [This is dependent upon numerous factors - one main factor being the consistency of her cervical fluid.]
Given that the sperm carrying the X chromosome lives longer, then it is possible to gender predict.
How??
Let's give an example of how this baby gender prediction or sex determination would work.
You want - a girl.
You know Sue ovulates 15 days into her cycle. You know you must deliver sperm no earlier than 4 days before ovulation. This way, the Y carrying sperm will likely be expired and the X carrying sperm still viable. When the egg is released at about 5 days after intercourse, the X carrying sperm will be in the fallopian tube waiting. Mrs. X chromosome sperm touches the egg and a little girl has begun!
The critical and perhaps not so obvious tip - don't repeat intercourse again for a week! Make sure she has been fertilized with the 'mature sperm'
To sum up:
If you want a girl - aim for earlier intercourse before ovulation - at least 4 days before she ovulates.
If you want a boy - aim for later intercourse before ovulation - say about 1 day before she ovulates.
Does older sperm mean less healthy? This is not known; however, it is not the genetic material that dies right away. It is the motility or movement of the sperm which is limited and also the fuel stores.
How do you know when Sue ovulates? She charts her cycle by temperature. In the morning, she takes her temperature before even getting out of bed. No alcohol use the night before or erratic schedule - like staying up till all hours. Recording the temperature will show normal slight variation of about +/- 0.2 points. When there is a 'spike' in temperature she has ovulated. The upward spike is typically about 0.4-0.6 points of a degree. It will stay steady for a bit and then drop off gradually. If the temperature doesn't drop off, she is pregnant!
Now is this baby gender prediction scientifically proven? I am not sure but I doubt it. The viability of sperm is proven. The difference of speed and viability of x vs y chromosomes is proven. So the information presented here is postulated and assumed based on that data.
Why not give it a shot? Baby gender prediction can only be fun! And if it works - how cool would that be?
We need to research this. Seriously. I wouldn't think it would be that hard of a study to do. Anyone want to try it and let me know how it turns out? ;)
In health,
Ben
Benjamin Lynch has a BS degree in Cell and Molecular Biology from the University of Washington. Currently, he is obtaining his doctorate in Naturopathic Medicine at Bastyr University. Visit Ben's natural health product store, HealthE Goods where one can use our free health information service where one may ask specific health questions. We provide physician-grade non-prescription natural health products. Wholesale spa products are available to all that qualify. Do visit our Healthy Lifestyle and Wellness Blog. We are here to help serve the public with proper health information and effective products.
Copyright 2005 by HealthE Goods and Benjamin Lynch. All rights reserved. Permission to republish this article or any of its parts must be obtained from the author.