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Biology > 19) The effects of ageing on the reproductive system > Flashcards

19) The effects of ageing on the reproductive system Flashcards

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1
Q

Define ageing

A

the accumulation of physical and psychological changes that occur within a person over a period of time

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2
Q

What is the effect of changes in hormone levels on the female reproductive system?

A

many follicles don’t mature and rupture to release a secondary oocyte but instead, disappear over time until no follicles or oocytes are left

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3
Q

State the changes in oestrogen, FSH and LH levels in the female reproductive system due to ageing

A

secretion of oestrogen decreases

secretion of FSH and LH increase to peak 1-3 years after the last menstrual cycle then gradually decrease over time to 0

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4
Q

What do ovarian follicles capable of further development secrete?

A

anti-Mullerian hormone

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5
Q

What can the concentration of anti-Mullerian hormone in the blood indicate?

A

ovarian reserve

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6
Q

What can anti-Mullerian hormone be used as a measure of?

A

potential for IVF treatment to succeed

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7
Q

Female fertility has a _ correlation with age.

A

inverse

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8
Q

Describe changes in female fertility from puberty to 35 years

A

after puberty fertility increases to peak at 20-25 years and then slowly decreases to sudden drop at 35 years

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9
Q

Why does female fertility slowly decrease after around 25 years?

A

number of oocytes that can be successfully fertilised decrease

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10
Q

Define ovarian reserve

A

the ability for an ovary to produce oocytes that can be fertilised

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11
Q

Define menopause

A

the time the last menstrual cycle occurs caused by a lack of ovarian follicles

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12
Q

When does menopause usually occur?

A

50 - 54 years; after perimenopause

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13
Q

When is menopause completed?

A

when a woman has not experienced a menstrual period for one year

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14
Q

Name 7 commons symptoms of menopause

A 
change in regularity of periods
insomnia
hot flushes
high heart rate
flushed skin
night sweats
heart racing / pounding
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15
Q

Name 6 additional possible symptoms of menopause

A 
fall in libido
depression
headaches
heart palpitations
vaginal dryness (painful sexual intercourse)
irritability and anxiety
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16
Q

Define hormone replacement therapy (HRT)

A

replacement of female hormones (oestrogen and progesterone) to relieve the symptoms of menopause

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17
Q

State and explain two types of hormone replacement therapy

A

unopposed oestrogen - oestrogen only
combined HRT - oestrogen with progestin (synthetic molecule with similar effects to progesterone, reduces the risk of uterine cancer from oestrogen)

18
Q

State and explain two different ways hormone replacement can be administered

A

continuous schedule - same hormones continually through month as an oral tablet, skin patch or under-skin implant; no withdrawal bleeds
cyclical regime
- 3 weeks then withdrawal bleeds
- oestrogen continuously, progestin days 10-14 then withdrawal bleeds after day 14

19
Q

Give 5 possible advantages of hormone replacement therapy

A

prevent hot flushes
reduce risk of developing osteoporosis
protective effect against loss of connective tissue
possible improvement in sleep and reduce in muscle ache
reduced mood swings and depressive symptoms

20
Q

Give 2 potential side effects / disadvantages of hormone replacement therapy

A

fluid retention

breast tenderness

21
Q

State 4 serious, rare health risks associated with hormone replacement therapy

A

venous thromboembolism (VTE)
stroke
breast cancer
endometrial (uterine) cancer

22
Q

Suggest 6 reasons why HRT may not be suitable

A 
history of breast, ovarian or endometrial cancer
history of blood clots
history of heart disease / stroke
untreated high blood pressure
liver disease
irregular periods
23
Q

Define and explain phytoestrogens, an alternative to hormone replacement therapy

A

phytoestrogens = chemicals found in plants that have a similar molecular structure to oestrogen / are converted to oestrogen-like compounds by gut bacteria

  • antibacterial and antifungal properties
  • taken as supplements / increase dietary intake
24
Q

Name 3 different relaxation therapies as an alternative to hormone replacement therapy

A

yoga, aromatherapy, reflexology

25
Q

Name 5 different lifestyle changes that can be made as an alternative to hormone replacement therapy

A 
regular exercise
reducing caffeine, alcohol and spicy food intake
reduce stress levels
give up smoking
staying cool
26
Q

State of a change in hormone levels in the male urinogenital system due to ageing, and a possible effect of this

A

decrease in testosterone production

reduced libido

27
Q

How is male fertility affected by ageing? Why?

A

varies between individuals

  • decreased rate of sperm production
  • decrease in testicular tissue mass
  • prostate gland, epididymis and seminal vesicles lose surface cells
  • sclerosis can occur in the epididymis causing tissue to be less elastic
28
Q

Define erectile dysfunction (impotence)

A

continued problem of a man being unable to get/maintain an erection firm enough to have intercourse

29
Q

Why may erectile dysfunction not always be a direct result of physiological ageing?

A

may be caused by some medications or disorders e.g. hypertension, diabetes

30
Q

Define benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH)

A

enlargement of the prostate gland due to prostate tissue being replaced with scar tissue

31
Q

Give two possible consequences of benign prostate hyperplasia

A

problems with ejaculation
formation of large nodules that can compress the urethra, restricting the flow of urine from the bladder or slowing urination

32
Q

Name 3 factors which contribute to enable successful conception

A

sufficient hormone levels
sufficient pH levels
healthy uterus lining

33
Q

Name 4 factors which contribute to a decrease in fertility as women age

A

increase in FSH + LH (increasing risk of miscarriage)
decrease in oestrogen
thinner uterus lining until periods stop
reduced sexual activity (reduced sex drive)

34
Q

Suggest some factors which cause male fertility to decrease with age

A

erections decline in duration, rigidity and frequency
penis is less sensitive, reduced blood flow, testosterone levels and sex drive
lower sperm concentration, mobility
changes in urinary function

35
Q

Couples who have difficulty conceiving a child may try artificial insemination using donor sperm. Semen is collected from the donor and injected, using a small plastic tube: near the cervix (intra-cervical insemination, ICI) or into the uterus (intra-uterine insemination, IUI). Suggest why ICI is less successful than IUI.

A

sperm are injected further away

vagina / cervix is a hostile environment

36
Q

Name the method used to store embryos for IVF

A

cryogenics / frozen embryo replacement

37
Q

Suggest why embryos for IVF can only be stored for a limited period of time

A

limited by law

lack of viability

38
Q

Describe how sperm are stored in sperm banks

A

mixed with chemicals to prevent damage
frozen
labelled
insulated metal container

39
Q

Suggest what donor sperm and semen may be screened for before storing in a sperm bank

A 
infectious diseases
genetic disease
sperm volume
proportion of abnormalities in sperm
sperm mobility
40
Q

Suggest a situation where a man may be offered the option of having his sperm harvested and stored for future use

A

before radiotherapy / chemotherapy / surgery
if unable to have intercourse
terminal illness
in armed forces

41
Q

Explain the trend that there is a decrease in the percentage of live births per treatment cycle of IVF with increasing age

A 
implantation less likely in older women
miscarriage rate increases
fewer / unbalanced hormones or menopause
genetic defects increase in oocyte
placental function less efficient

Biology (33 decks)

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