Landrum Shettles

Landrum Brewster Shettles (November 21, 1909 – February 6, 2003) was an American biologist and a pioneer in fertility and reproduction research. He is best known for developing the Shettles method, a technique aimed at influencing the sex of a baby through timing of intercourse in relation to ovulation. His work has had a significant impact on the field of reproductive medicine and has sparked both support and controversy over the years.

Early Life and Education

Landrum B. Shettles was born in Pontotoc, Mississippi, in 1909. He pursued his higher education at the University of Edinburgh where he received his medical degree. Furthering his education, Shettles completed his residency in obstetrics and gynecology at the Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons in New York.

Career

Shettles's career was primarily focused on the study of human spermatozoa, ova, and fertilization. He spent a significant portion of his career at the Columbia-Presbyterian Medical Center in New York City, where he conducted groundbreaking research in in vitro fertilization (IVF) techniques. His work in the 1950s and 1960s on culturing human eggs and facilitating sperm and egg interaction outside the human body laid the foundation for future advances in assisted reproductive technologies.

In 1960, Shettles published a study suggesting that the timing of intercourse in relation to ovulation could influence the sex of the offspring, leading to the development of the Shettles method. This method is based on the premise that Y chromosome (male) sperm move faster but are more fragile than X chromosome (female) sperm, and therefore, timing intercourse close to ovulation increases the chances of conceiving a boy, while having intercourse several days before ovulation favors the conception of a girl.

Controversy and Criticism

The Shettles method has been met with skepticism and criticism from the scientific community. Critics argue that there is limited scientific evidence to support the efficacy of the method, and several studies have failed to show a significant difference in sex ratio using the Shettles method compared to random chance. Despite the controversy, the method has remained popular among couples trying to influence the sex of their future children.

Legacy

Landrum Shettles's contributions to the field of reproductive medicine extend beyond the Shettles method. He was involved in early research into sperm freezing and thawing, which has become a standard procedure in sperm donation and fertility treatments. Shettles also contributed to the development of techniques for early pregnancy detection and was an advocate for the use of microscopy in the study of living sperm.

Shettles authored several books and numerous articles on human reproduction, fertility, and the Shettles method. His work has influenced generations of researchers and clinicians in the field of reproductive medicine.

Death

Landrum B. Shettles passed away on February 6, 2003, at the age of 93. His legacy continues to be felt in the field of reproductive medicine, and his methods and research continue to be a topic of discussion and study.