Source: http://gizmodo.com
Hello my fellow Steemians....
It's another wonderful opportunity to continue the series on the above subject matter. Honestly, it has not been easy with me. Responding to the tasks of leadership to my whatsapp-based Steemit Team has been very overwhelming to say the least. My respect to all the leaders following this series.
Having said that, it is very important for those of you who missed the previous chapters of this series to endeavour and read them. To make the task easy, I will be dropping the links to the previous chapters at the end of this chapter.
Remember, like I said earlier on, chapters 1, 2, 3 and 4 constitute the backbone of the sex selection methods I will be sharing with you.
Let's now look at the topic of this chapter 3...
CHARACTERISTICS OF X AND Y CHROMOSOME SPERM
The following are some established facts and theories that differentiates X and Y chromosome sperm:
1; A preconception diet rich in calcium (Can) and magnesium (Mg) favours X chromosome sperm whereas a preconception diet rich in sodium (Na) and potassium (K) favours Y chromosome sperm.
2; The Y chromosome sperm has been found to be smaller and therefore more faster than X chromosome sperm. For easy understanding, let me use a truck and car to illustrate this point. A car weighs less when compared to the truck. So because it weighs less, it is light and therefore travels faster than a truck. In this case, Y chromosome represents a car while X chromosome, truck.
However, Y chromosome sperm is less resilient than X chromosome sperm; so may die more quickly and may not be able to withstand more acidic environment (that's pH level of the vagina).
3; The X chromosome sperm have been found to be slower but more resilient than the Y chromosome sperm. X chromosome are larger and are more capable of enduring vaginal environments where the pH levels are more acidic.
Typically, the vaginal and cervical environments become less acidic right before and during ovulation, due to the increased presence of cervical mucus. The reproductive function of cervical mucus is to provide to provide a healthy medium for sperm to swim and survive (longer). Cervical mucus will also likely reduce the acidity of the vagina and create more alkaline pH levels, helping sperm to survive.
4; Y chromosome sperm tends to survive in a more alkaline environment than X chromosome sperm. That's they are more alkaline loving than their X counterpart.
5; Daily intercourse may result in a low viable sperm count with an improved concentration of X chromosome sperm over Y chromosome sperm in a semen ejaculate. Abstinence from sex for 2 - 6 days will increase the percentage of Y chromosome sperm in the semen sample.
6; Y chromosome sperm, since they are more fragile than X chromosome sperm, they are more likely to be killed by substances the that tend to affect a man's fertility; for example smoking, excessive heat, toxins, excessive physical stress, tight constructive underwears, etc. Certain environmental exposures are capable of causing lowered fertility in men.
Bearing this in mind, and the fact that X chromosome sperm are more resilient, a few studies have found that if men are exposed to some 'fertility affecting' substances and do father a child, they are more likely to have a girl. This should not however be a recipe for men to expose themselves to substances that may reduce their fertility in hope it would favour X chromosome sperm. Smoking, heat around testes, some medications, and other 'fertility toxins' can reduce a man's overall fertility, possibly to the point that he is unable to fertilize an egg at all (let alone a baby girl).
Source: http://pixabay.com
The Shettles Method suggests that certain vaginal environments, sexual positions, and dates of intercourse (timed in relation to ovulation) will favour one sperm over the other, based on the sperm attributes described above.
In order to time intercourse, however, you first need to know when you ovulate during your cycle.
On that note, in my next article, we will be looking at what ovulation is, and the various ways to predict it so that it will be correctly applied in practice of Shettles Method.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Shettles, L. B.; D. M. Rorvik (1996): How to Choose the Sex of Your Baby, 4th Edition. Main Street Books, Jackson Tennessee, USA
Stolkowski, J; J. Lorrain (1980): International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology 1/2002.
www.ehow.com/m/how-5671916-change-accidity-gender-selection.html
Weschler, T. (2006): Taking Charge of Your Fertility, 10th Edition, Harper Collins Publishers, USA.
http://www.4woman.gov/fag/douching.htm
Shettles, L. B. (1978): 'Sex Preselection'. Obstetrics & Gynecology, 1978 Apr; 51 (4)
Gray, R. H. (1991): 'Natural Fertility Planning and Sex Selection: Facts or Fiction?' American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology. 165 (6 pt 2).
McSweeney, L. (2002): Love & Life: Billings Method of Natural Family Planning, 9th Edition. Pilgrim Books, Ibadan, Nigeria.
France, J. T.; F. M. GRAHAM, et al. (1984): ' A Perspective Study of The Preselection of Offspring by Timing Intercourse Relative to Ovulation'. Int'l Journal of Fertil. Steril, 41 (6).
Geraedts, J. P. Melissen J. B. M. (2010): 'Female Gender Preselection by Maternal Diet in Combination with Timing of Sexual Intercourse. A Perspective Study. Journal of Reproductive Biomedicine, 21.
France, J. T.; F. M. Graham, et al, (1992): 'Characteristics of Natural Conceptual Cycles Occurring in A Prospective Study of Sex Preselection: Fertility Awareness Symptoms, Hormone levels, Sperm Survival, and Pregnancy Outcome'. Int'l Journal of Fertil. 37 (4).
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Your Naija Boy, @eurogee