Scientists have known for many years that sperm carrying an X chromosome produce females and sperm carrying a Y chromosome produce males. In the early 70's, scientists discovered that sperm samples with high concentrations of either X or Y bearing sperm could be obtained.
In 1975, Ronald J. Ericsson, Ph.D. began clinical studies to determine whether enriched sperm samples would result in offspring of a desired gender. The results were very encouraging and today this procedure is widely accepted by the scientific community. Currently, the Ericsson Method is used in approximately 50 centers in the United States and in many centers worldwide.
How does it work?
Dr. Ericsson devised patented methods by which X and Y sperm can be separated through filtering processes. Sperm are "layered" over a column of human serum albumin and they swim down the gradient where they are collected in the bottom layer.
The fraction of sperm that contain the male (Y) bearing sperm are used for insemination if a boy is desired. It is effective 70-75% of the time. The fraction of sperm that contain the female (X) bearing sperm are used for insemination if a girl is desired.
It is effective 70-72% of the time.
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