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Wednesday 3 December

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Diet determines sex of child

A steak sandwich

IF LEGEND IS true what expectant mothers eat determines the sex of their child. If mothers tuck into a big steak and plenty of red meat, it is said they will have a boy, whilst indulging in chocolate snacks is believed to produce a girl.

Now new research advocates that this may indeed be true. Researchers tested 20 female mice by feeding them the steroid, dexamethasone, which kept their blood-sugar levels low. Low blood-sugar levels indicate a sugar-rich diet, which in turn produces more female than male offspring.

The sex of the litters of the mice was compared with that of 20 mice on a regular diet. Those mice who ate normally produced offspring that were 53% male. Whilst those on the steroid produced litters that were only 41% male.

The results prove that, in mice at least, a diet that is high in sugar, can lead to more female offspring.

The research, conducted at the University of Pretoria in South Africa believe that the research could translate to humans. Their research suggests that different types of food may affect the environment in the womb, making conditions more beneficial to male or female sperm.

Professor Cameron, who led the research, explained her work gave rise to the notion that diet really can influence the percentage of males and females in a country's population.

Friday 30 November 2007


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