Queensland research shows sex-determination is random

Parents are so keen to choose the gender of their children they are turning to overseas treatments costing tens of thousands of dollars and other unproven, “old wives” methods. However new Queensland research has shown their efforts are in vain.

QUEENSLANDERS are so desperate to choose the gender of their baby they are forking out $35,000 for overseas gender selection fertility treatment or turning to unscientific diets and timing methods.

While society expects a couple to just be glad to have a healthy child, more than 50 per cent of Queenslanders would love the opportunity to choose the gender of their child.

Children feel distanced as screen time trumps family time

Most working parents ‘haven’t energy to put effort into family’

Self-protection drives small children to go for revenge

Queensland Fertility Group’s Dr David Molloy says polling of couples over the years had revealed the majority believe in family gender balancing.

Queensland mum of five boys Leoni Muoio said while she adores her sons she yearns for a girl. After having her second boy she tried various diet supplements and the “baby dust timing method” to conceive a girl – but three more boys arrived.

Leoni Muoio has had five boys and no girls – Tyler, 10, Harlie, 8, Olly, 6, Arlo, 1 and Chester, 4 months. Picture Adam Head

This week a new study from Queensland scientists revealed giving birth to only boys or only girls does not run in the family and that sex-determination is random.

In the largest study of its kind, University of Queensland scientists joined global researchers in the investigation into more than four million offspring to find the answer to the question that has been pondered for centuries – is the sex ratio of children inherited?

The finding could offer hope to couples who believe their family make-up is predestined.

The finding that there is no significant genetic influence cancels out long-held theories.

“Our results rule out a hypothesis that offspring sex ratio in humans is influenced by steroid hormone levels in parents at time of conception,” authors of the study wrote.

Dr David Molloy from Queensland Fertility Group. Picture: Russell Shakespeare

The researchers from the Centre for Evolution and Psychology at UQ also ruled out environmental influences.

Sex determination in humans depends on whether an offspring inherits an X or Y chromosome from the father.

“Wanting a certain gender of child is natural and I have had many couples ask me if I can give them a boy or a girl,” Dr Molloy said.

“Gender selection treatment is not allowed in Queensland. While it has not been made illegal in this state, clinics would lose their accreditation if they went ahead with it.

“The National Health and Medical Research Council stalled the introduction of gender selection into Australia. I am a strong advocate of this and hope that decision will soon be reversed.

“It breaks my heart that couples spend so much money to go overseas and the reality is the chances of success are not that great. Usually there are only three viable eggs and then there is only a 50/50 chance you will get the sex you want.”

Leoni Muoio has five boys and says she and her husband “desperately want a girl”. Picture: Adam Head

Ms Muoio, 31, said she had not ruled out gender selection treatment.

“Both my husband and myself desperately want a girl. At baby number three I started taking supplements that are supposed to help you have a girl, at baby four we tried the baby dust method where you chart hormones and baby number five was unplanned, but I was sure it would be a girl,” she said.

“While we love having the boys we want a big family so we might investigate the gender selection process.

“It is hard for me to get my head around research saying that boys don’t run in our family. My husband is one of four boys and there are boys right through his side.”

THE “OLD WIVES” WAYS TO HAVE A GIRL

- Have sex two to four days before ovulation

- Eat more spinach, nuts and broccoli

- Eat acidic foods leading up to ovulation

- Have a low salt diet

- Take hot baths

- The “baby dust” method – monitor the precise timing and frequency of sex

THE “OLD WIVES” WAYS TO HAVE A BOY

- Eat bananas for the potassium

- Take electrolytes for more sodium

- The prospective father should wear boxers to stay cool

- Have sex at peak ovulation

- Younger men have higher chance of boy

- Drink coffee before sex

- Take evening primrose oil supplements

WHAT THE LATEST SCIENCE SAYS

- Gender is not influenced by hormones at conception

- Environment has no impact on gender ratios

- Genetics do not influence gender of baby

- Gender is only determined by whether baby gets Y or X chromosome