Patrilocality and Child Sex Ratios in India

In multi-level and multi-layered foundations of gendered approaches for understanding the kinship system, son preferences, and male-skewed child sex ratios in India; patriarchy, and patrilineality have received greater attention than patrilocality. To fill this gap, in this study, we construct a measure of patrilocality and examine its association with skewed child sex ratios. We hypothesize that households practice sex selection and daughter discrimination because of patrilocal norms that dictate the later life co-residence between parents and sons. Our findings reveal that the child sex ratio, the sex ratio at birth, and the sex ratio at last birth are positively correlated with the patrilocality rates across states and districts of India. The relationship holds across the multiple robustness checks. Findings, although not surprising, emerge from the robust empirical analyses at a time when child sex ratios continue to worsen in India, notwithstanding the country’s socio-economic progress. We conclude that in the absence of strong social security measures and lack of preference for old-age homes amidst the accepted practice of patrilocality coupled with increasing lower fertility norms, the dependency on sons will continue and further lead to the continuation of sex selection in India.

A Decade of Molecular Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis of 350 Blastomeres for Beta-Thalassemia Combined with HLA Typing, Aneuploidy Screening and Sex Selection in Iran

Background: Preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) has been developed to detect genetic disorders before pregnancy which is usually done on blastomeres biopsied from 8-cell stage embryos obtained from in vitro fertilization method (IVF).Here we report molecular PGD results for diagnosing of beta thalassemia (beta-thal) which are usually accompanied with evaluating chromosomal aneuploidies, HLA typing and sex selection.Methods: In this study, haplotype analysis was performed using short tandem repeats (STRs) in a multiplex nested PCR and the causative mutation was detected by Sanger sequencing.Results: We have performed PGDs on 350 blastomeres from 55 carrier couples; 142 blastomeres for beta-thal only, 75 for beta-thal and HLA typing, 76 for beta-thal in combination with sex selection, and 57 for beta-thal and aneuploidy screening. 150 blastomeres were transferable, 15 pregnancies were happened, and 11 babies born.We used 6 markers for beta-thal, 36 for aneuploidy screening, 32 for sex selection, and 35 for HLA typing. To our knowledge combining all these markers together and the number of STR markers are much more than any other studies which have ever done.Conclusions: PGD is a powerful diagnostic tool for carrier couples who desire to have a healthy child and wish to avoid medical abortion.

Exploiting a Y chromosome-linked Cas9 for sex selection and gene drive

CRISPR-based genetic engineering tools aimed to bias sex ratios, or drive effector genes into animal populations, often integrate the transgenes into autosomal chromosomes. However, in species with heterogametic sex chromsomes (e.g. XY, ZW), sex linkage of endonucleases could be beneficial to drive the expression in a sex-specific manner to produce genetic sexing systems, sex ratio distorters, or even sex-specific gene drives, for example. To explore this possibility, here we develop a transgenic line of Drosophila melanogaster expressing Cas9 from the Y chromosome. We functionally characterize the utility of this strain for both sex selection and gene drive finding it to be quite effective. To explore its utility for population control, we built mathematical models illustrating its dynamics as compared to other state-of-the-art systems designed for both population modification and suppression. Taken together, our results contribute to the development of current CRISPR genetic control tools and demonstrate the utility of using sex-linked Cas9 strains for genetic control of animals.

50 Big Debates in Reproductive Medicine

One of modern healthcare's most controversial areas, reproductive medicine is an emerging discipline that fosters hugely divergent opinions on topics such as laboratory techniques, clinical management and ethical considerations. Highlighting over 50 contentious topics in reproductive medicine, this book presents expertly argued opinions are presented for and against, often with diametrically opposing views about management. Debates such as these are being increasingly used as learning tools, helping participants develop their critical thinking skills and showing that context is vital when making decisions. Issues discussed include limits on IVF provision, ethical queries about sex selection, embryology, and ovarian stimulation. Authors are authorities in their field, combining years of experience with fresh and innovative ideas to structure their arguments. Readers will gain an insight into topical controversies, critically evaluating the different sides to enhance their own clinical practice.

Child sex ratio - declining trend: Reasons and consequences

Child sex ratio (CSR) and over all sex ratio have found to be the important indicator to examine the social commitment against female child. According to census 2011, CSR has been decreased from 927 to 919 in 2011. Many researchers have reported that the sex ratio at birth is in favor of males and the low sex ratio is found to be due to the sex selection strategies of the parents. Despite the higher mortality preponderance for male child, the females were having a decreased ratio during childhood years. Gender discrimination and female infanticide have found to be the important factor responsible for the low CSR. This article tries to shed light into the issue among the states of India, giving a special attention to the state of Tamil Nadu and proposes few remedial measures.

Assisted reproductive technology in tropical animals: Case in Pasundan cattle genetic conservation and utilization

Pasundan cattle are native Indonesian cattle located in West Java, Indonesia. These cattle have a superior trait in reproductive performance although reared in extreme environmental conditions with low-quality of feed, and resistance to parasite diseases than other cattle breeds. However, the ability to maintain Pasundan cattle genetic diversity, avoiding inbreeding, keeping the population healthy, and high reproduction efficiency are among the significant challenges currently occurred. The application of assisted reproductive technology (ART) seems promising to overcome those challenges and would impact the efficiency of genetic diversity conservation and preservation. This review aims to present the possibility to use the available ART in Pasundan cattle. The ART reviewed are the advanced technology of sperm cryopreservation, sex selection, artificial insemination, and in vitro embryo production. The sperm cryopreservation combined with sperm sexing is the most promising technology to maximize the use of genetic material of Pasundan cattle. Moreover, sexed sperm would have a promising impact on artificial insemination and/or embryo production to increase the cattle population. Furthermore, to protect genetic diversity, it is possible to apply the artificial reproductive technique and sperm or embryos conservation for genetic utilization in the future.