2.3 Flashcards
How do males and females differ in their fertility over the course of each month?
Men have continuous fertility and so are fertile at all times of the month.
Women have cyclical fertlity and therefore have a fertile period of the month.
Give two ways in which you can identify the fertile period in females
- cervical mucus becomes less viscous
- a woman’s body temperature inceases following ovulation, which can be measured using a thermometer
In the treatment of fertility problems, how can ovulation be stimulated?
ovulation can be stimulated by drugs that mimic the action of FSH and LH. Ovulation can also be stimulated by drugs that prevent the negative feedback effect of oestrogen on FSH release.
What are the risks of stimulating ovulation in fertility treatment?
drugs that stimulate ovulation can cause super ovulation, resulting in multiple births.
What is artifical insemination?
a fertility treatment that involves sperm being injected directly into the uterus.
When is artifical insemination used in fertility treatment?
when the male has a low sperm count
When might a sperm donor be used?
if the male partner is sterile
What is ICSI and when is it used?
Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI)is a method to aid fertility by directly injecting a sperm cell into an ovum. It is used in IVF or when the issue behind fertility is to do with sperm count or sperm viability
Break down the process of IVF into 4 stages
Stage 1 - the woman is given hormonal treatment (FSH and LH) to stimulate ova maturation.
Stage 2 - the mature ova are surgically removed and fertilised with sperm.
Stage 3 - the zygotes are then incubated until an embryo develops.
Stage 4 - one or multiple embryos are then implanted into the woman’s uterus in the lab.
What is pre-implantation genetic screening?
a non-specific approach that checks the embryo for single gene disorders and common chromosomal abnormalities in general.
How can pre-implantation genetic diagnosis be utilised in the process of IVF?
this can be used to identify single-gene disorders and chromosomal abnormalities prior to implantation
Give 5 examples of physical methods of contraception
condoms, intrauterine devices (IUD), diaphragm, spermicidal lubricant, female condoms
What is a condom?
a rubber sheath that fits over the man’s penis or female condoms can be worn inside the vagina.
What is the diaphragm?
a dome-shaped rubber cap that is inserted into the women’s vagina to block the cervix before the act of sexual intercourse.
What is the cervical cap?
a rubber structure that fits tightly round the cervix and can be left in position for a few days.
How does the combined oral contraceptive pill work?
contains a combination of synthetic oestrogen and progesterone. This combnation utilises the negative feedback system of the menstrual cycle, inhibiting the release of FSH and LH.
How does the progesterone-only (mini) pill work?
causes thickening of the cervical mucus, making the mucus more diffiult to be pentrated by sperm.
How do emergency hormonal contraceptive pills work?
are taken shortly following unprotected sex and work by delaying or preventing ovulation or by preventing implantation if fertilisation has occurred.
Reasons for PGD and PGS
they offer reasurance to couples who would otherwise be at a high risk of producing children with serious genetic disorders. Reducing the frequency of genetic diseases and disorders is of great benefit to society as a whole.
Reasons against PGD and PGS
these procedures are the start of eugenics, whereby the human race would be subjected to selective breeding in order to improve its quality.
What is contraception?
the intentional prevention of pregnancy by natural or artificial means.
What happens during sterilisation with males?
a vasectomy involves the cutting and tying of the two sperm ducts, thereby preventing sperm being released during sexual activity. Sperm produced after this sterlisation procedure normally undergo phagocytosis and are destroyed.
What happens during sterlisation in females?
Tubal ligation involves the cutting and tying of the two oviducts to prevent eggs meeting sperm and reaching the uterus.
