Many methods continue to be developed for couples who cannot have babies with natural methods or who are unlikely to give birth to a healthy baby. One of these is the MicroSort method. This method can also be used to determine the gender of the baby.

MicroSort method is applied with techniques called FISH and flow cytometry. These techniques allow sperm chromosomes of the male patient to be examined under fluorescent light. Thanks to light, Y, and X (male/female) sperm can be observed in different colors, but there is also a possibility of error. Therefore, although the MicroSort method is a gender determination method, it cannot produce 100% results. This method, which guarantees up to 70% accuracy on average, can only become clear by the PGT method applied during IVF treatment.

The preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGT) method, which is an IVF treatment method, offers couples the opportunity to have 100% babies with the desired gender. In IVF treatment, sperm similar to the desired gender is determined by the MicroSort method and fertilized with eggs. Then, it is possible to clearly learn the gender of the embryo to be transferred through the PGT method, that is, a DNA test.

GYN. OPR. DR. MÜRÜDE ÇAKARTAŞ DAĞDELEN answered your questions: PGT – Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis

MicroSort method can also be applied with intrauterine semination other than IVF treatment, but as stated, it may not give an accurate result for gender. Therefore, IVF treatment and PGT method are recommended for couples who want to decide on the gender.

What is the MicroSort method?

MicroSort is a method used to separate X and Y chromosomes of the male or female embryos prior to microinjection (ICSI), intrauterine insemination (IUI), or IVF treatment. The success rate of this method is 80% in male infants and 90% in female infants. The advantage of the MicroSort method is that it is more cost-effective than the genetic diagnostic test known as PGT. Therefore, it is frequently preferred in decisions related to gender determination.

How does MicroSort work?

During embryonic development, gender is determined by the X or Y chromosomes from the male. If the X chromosome is transferred, a female infant occurs and a male infant occurs with the Y chromosome. MicroSort is used to decide on the gender of the baby by separating the sperm with X and Y chromosomes. This separation is basically based on the size difference between the X chromosome and the bigger Y chromosome. Chromosomes are made up of DNA, and spermatozoa with the X chromosome contain approximately 2.8% more total DNA than spermatozoa with a Y chromosome. This DNA difference can be observed using a modified flow cytometer tool. The resulting purity of the separated spermatozoa can be determined by a DNA analysis method called FISH (fluorescent in situ hybridization) in an unused small portion of the sequenced sample. FISH uses DNA probes that specifically bind to the X or Y chromosome in the sperm. It gives a red/pink color signal for sperm carrying the X chromosome and a green color signal for sperm carrying the Y chromosome. To determine the purity of the sperm carrying the X and Y chromosomes, spermatozoa can be counted by identification under a microscope.

How does MicroSort work?

MicroSort method is applied in 3 different ways:

·         Intrauterine Insemination (IUI):

The menstrual cycle of the woman is first monitored with this treatment method. During ovulation, spermatozoa separated by the MicroSort method is used. The intrauterine procedure continues in the same manner apart from the separation of sperm. The pregnancy rate varies depending on the age of the mother.

·         Microinjection (ICSI):

In this treatment method, the natural menstrual cycle is primarily taken under control and physician supervision starts. It may be necessary to take some hormonal medications in order to get more efficiency from egg cells with the onset of menstruation. When the egg cells reach the desired amount, an injection is administered to trigger ovulation and the egg retrieval process begins. The sperm sample is also taken and separated by the MicroSort method.  The fertilization process is initiated according to these separated sperms. Sperm cells are injected individually into each egg cell by microinjection technique. In this method, the chance of pregnancy varies according to the age of the mother. Since microinjection is one of the stages of IVF treatment, the rate of conception is higher than intrauterine insemination.

·         Microinjection (ICSI) and PGT:

The process of increasing egg cells is started under physician supervision based on the menstrual cycle of the woman in this treatment method. When the egg cells reach the desired amount, an injection is administered to trigger ovulation and the egg retrieval process begins. Fertilization is performed by combining egg cells retrieved with spermatozoa separated by the MicroSort method according to the gender determined by the parents. Embryos are then evaluated by the PGT method in terms of both gender and chromosomal diseases (down syndrome, etc.). As a result of these procedures, the chance of conceiving a healthy baby with the gender determined by the family will increase to 99.9%.