B11.8 - iVF

Question 1

What are two methods of increasing fertility?

Answer 1

IVF, a fertility drug containing FSH and Lh to stimulate ovulation

Question 2

How does IVF work?

Answer 2

1) Eggs are collected from the woman’s ovaries
2) They are fertilised in a lab using the man’s sperm OR the sperm is injected directly into the egg
3) The fertilised eggs are grown into embryos in a laboratory incubator
4) when they are tiny balls of cells one or two are transferred to the woman’s uterus
5) FSH + LH given to collect egg

Question 3

What are the cons of IvF?

Answer 3

• Multiple births can happen if over 1 embryo grows, risky for mother & babies
• Low success rate (26%)
• Emotionally stressful ^ and can have physical side effects

Question 4

Why are some people against IvF?

Answer 4

The pricess of IvF often results in unused embryos that are destroyed
- genetic testing of embryos before implantation may lead to selection of preferred characteristics