Ch2 Flashcards
Individuals considered subfertile.
- Women with multiple miscarriages
- Men who have sperm abnormalities
- Women who ovulate infrequently.
Weight loss and fertility
- A 10-15% weight loss decreases estrogen, LH, and FSH.
- Causes amenorrhea, anovulatory cycles, and short/absent luteal phases.
- Hormones return to normal when weight is restored 95% of previous weight.
Women obesity and fertility
- Higher levels of estrogen, androgens and leptin.
- Causes menstrual-cycle regulatory, anovulatory cycles, and amenorrhea.
- Loss of body fat improvement hormones levels, oxidative stress and chronic inflammation, and conception.
Men obesity and fertility
- Low testosterone and high estrogen and leptin.
- Reduce sperm production and increases erectile dysfunction.
Development of mature eggs
- Born with immature ova.
- 7 million immature ova formed during early foetal development, 1/2 million per ovary remain by puberty.
- During fertile years, 400-500 ova mature and release for fertilisation.
- Few remain by menopause.
Development of sperm
- Born with sperm-producing capabilities.
- Sperm number and viability decrease after >35 years.
- Sperm is produced from puberty until death.
Define pelvic inflammatory disease and explain its cause
- Sexually transmitted infection, occurring in the cervix, uterus, fallopian tubes, or ovaries.
- Can lead to scarring and blockage of the fallopian tubes which can cause disruptions in fertility.
How contraceptive pills work
Combination
- When estrogen and progestogen work together it suppresses the action of LH and FSH, thereby ovulation.
Progestin-only
- Progestin blocks LH and ovulation and causes cervical mucus to become thick and sticky (barrier to sperm).
How does male reproductive health suffer due to inadequate antioxidant nutrients?
- Antioxidants protect cells’ reproductive systems from damage due to oxidative stress.
- Oxidative stress occurs when free radicals exceed antioxidant defenses.
- Free radicals attack polyunsaturated fatty acids in sperm which decreases sperm motility, the ability to fuse with the egg, and damage DNA.
Discuss the gene variant of folate and its importance to preconceptions of women
- MTHFR produces an active form of folate. C677T reduces MTHFR, therefore, reducing the ability to process folate. This increases the risk of having an NTD newborn.
- Gene varients impair conversion of folate to its active form and increase folate requirement.
Define neural tube defects and the time frame for development after conception. Discuss recommendations for women.
- NTDs are birth defects caused by incomplete development of the brain and spinal cord.
- NTDs develop between 3-4th the week after conception.
- It is recommended to costume 400mcg folic acid, obtained through supplements or fortified foods.
