Critical appraisal of ayurveda pumsawana karma

Abstract

Male sex organs develop in embryos with XY chromosomes, while female sex organs develop in embryos with XX, means the sperm determines a baby’s sex! The maternal influence on this is almost unheard. Objective of the review is to find out the maternal influence by Pumsavana Karma on determining the fetal sex. Ayurveda-textbooks, related research articles were critically reviewed and data were gathered. Maternal influence on personality, hormonal statuses, blood pressure, genital status, psychological and behavioral effects of fetus, were described both ayurveda and modern in similar pattern. Maternal Follicular testosterone levels were found relationship with offspring sex; higher levels are associated with violent/dominant mothers who are having more male offspring. Some herbs are found anabolic, steroid positive and produce testosterone to give birth to son. Women with a male fetus have slightly high TSH levels and a high upper limit of the first-trimester TSH reference range. Females with high-corticosteroids produced more daughters. Nasya, one of the Pumsavana methods stimulates the pituitary glands to regulate hormonal production. Mothers with high systolic blood pressure reported to have high chances of male offspring. During Marsha Nasya, temporary increase in blood pressure is observed. Swimming behavior and selective entry of sperm into genitalia helped explain the possible mechanisms of sexual selection and found significant relationship between fetal male sex and alkaline vaginal pH, and female sex with acidic pH. Pumsavana mentioned, sperm unites ovum in a clean and healthy genital tract is home to an embryo with desired characters. There's greater spontaneous loss of frail male fetuses in response to societal stressors. Pumsavana has a benefic relationship with maternal psychological health and behaviors. It had being reported Pumsavana Karma can influence the maternal ,factor on determining the sex of the fetus by several mechanisms. Further, sex determination is highly influenced by the mother.