Preconception selection of sex in man.

The determination of sex is influenced by ionic factors. In man, ionic imbalance is responsible for the sex ratio in at least 80% of cases, the possible mechanism being one of selective fertilization. These facts constitute the scientific basis for the medicodietary method of selecting sex. The intervention of ions in ovarian metabolism is obtained by controlling the diet of the woman, the decisive factor being the ratio of K+ + Na+ to Ca2+ + Mg2+ in the daily diet. High values of this ratio lead to boys, and low values to girls. Using this method since 1970 in 47 births, only 7 of them failed to produce the expected sex. The interactions and the causes of failure are analyzed.

[Ovarian calcium and fertilization in female rats receiving a subchronic overdose of vitamin D3]. / Calcium ovarien et fécondation chez la ratte recevant une surcharge subchronique en vitamine D3.

Calcium is increasing in ovaries of adult female rats when D3 vitamin is given by stomach intubation for 7 and 15 days. Histochemical studies show the presence of spherular chalky deposits specially in granulosa of some follicles. In the same times atresia becomes evident and fecondation is reduced. Chemical determination of calcium content of ovary show calcium accumulation in this organ.

Preconceptional selection of fetal sex.

Background information is given on postconceptional and preconceptional methods of selecting fetal sex. Among the preconceptional methods presented are treatment of the sperm to isolate either the X or the Y chromosome, timing of insemination and the effect of ionic concentrations in the woman's body as controlled by the dietary intake of minerals. The authors studied 281 couples, 21 of whom were later excluded, who adhered to a diet specific in its amounts of calcium, magnesium, sodium and potassium. This dietary method of preconceptional selection of fetal sex resulted in the anticipated outcome in about 80% of the cases.

[Magnesium in animal and human reproduction]. / Le magnésium dans la reproduction animale et chez l'homme.

The literature concerned with the amount of magnesium in genital organs and products of sexual activity is analysed in the first chapter; these data are compared with those concerning other organs and replaced in a comprehensive view of the body, related or not with the medium. It is likely that magnesium plays a role in ovule maturation, sperm viability and fecundation in Invertebrates and Fishes. In Birds and Mammals, it appears to be necessary for fecundation. In the Discoglossus (Anurian Amphibian), the deficiency and the excess in Mg2+ reduce development and influence the growth of the body and the ovary. In the Rat, the pregnancy cannot be normal, unless the food contains an adequate supply of magnesium. Severe or mild deficiencies affect the site of fetal implantation and, if they are prolonged, lead to abortion in the first instance and pathological disorders in the latter. An ionic determination of sex has been established in various animal species and in Man. In some marine Invertebrates, and in the Discoglossus, changes in ionic concentration of the breeding medium carried out immediately after fecundation induce, at will, a majority of one sex or the other; in various Mammals and in Man, variations in the composition of mineral food administered to the female before fecundation may also induce changes in the sex ratio of the progeny.

[In the near future will women be able to choose the sex of their children by following a diet?]. / Les femmes pourront-elles, dans un proche avenir, choisir le sexe de leurs enfants en suivant un régime alimentaire?

PIP: The evidence for the author's hypothesis, that the sex ratio may be altered by the ionic environment during fertilization is presented. In the 1930's, it was discovered that the proportion of males increased as the ratio of potassium to calcium + magnesium ions increased for several marine species: an invertebrate Bonellia viridis, aquarium fish Aphyosemion microphtalmum, amphibian Discoglossus pictus, Dinophilus apatris, and some eels. These sex ratios cannot be affected by manipulating the environment after fertilization, except that in some frogs, Amblystomes and in Pleurodeles watlii, sex hormones can affect the results obtained by altering the K/Ca + Mg ratio. In rats, the proportion of males was increased to 58.3% by feeding female lactose diets (high calcium) compared to others fed a starch (rachitic) diet who produced 43.1% males. A survey was conducted of 134 French cattle farms, totaling 25,653 calves from 1965-1967. Each farm was rated on an arbitrauy scale according to whether the feed was dominant in potassium or alkaline earth minerals. Those with a high potassium diet produced more males, especially in parts of Normandy where cattle fed beet pulp had 80-90% male offspring. The diets suggested for women, to be followed for 6 weeks only, consist of a high sodium diet with KCl supplement .5 g/day, if a body is desired; or a low sodium diet high in milk products, vegetables, and calcium and vitamin D supplements if a girl is desired. The author has had mixed results in 8 trials: 1 set of twins, 1 diet failure, 1 neonatal death from cardiac malformation. Other approaches for regulating the primary sex ratio are reviewed in the discussion.^ieng