controlling fertility

Question 1

what’s based on the biology of fertility?

Answer 1

Infertility treatments and contraception

Question 2

describe fertility periods in males

Answer 2

from puberty onwards, they can continuously produce sperm

Question 3

describe fertility periods in females

Answer 3

the time she is capable of becoming pregnant is around ovulation

Question 4

male fertility is described as continuos, why?

Answer 4

FSH and ICSH are secreted at a relatively constant level resulting in a steady testosterone production, promoting sperm production.

Question 5

female fertility is described as cyclic, why?

Answer 5

A small fertility period during every cycle. This lasts approximately 5 days, around the time of ovulation (2 days before and 2 days after ovulation)

Question 6

how is male and female fertility described

Answer 6

Male - continuous
Female - cyclic

Question 7

give 3 ways we can establish the ovulation period

Answer 7

1) tracking the cycle (14 days after ovulation)
2) changes in cervical mucus (thinner around the time of ovulation)
3) changes in body temperature

Question 8

name some factors that influence fertility

Answer 8

• age
• genetics
• disease/health/lifestyle
• anorexia/obesity/poor diet
• drug misuse/smoking
• stress

Question 9

name some types of infertility in females

Answer 9

• endometriosis
• problems ovulating
• poor egg quality
• blockage in the oviduct

Question 10

name some types of infertility in males

Answer 10

• sperm tube blockage
• sperm (low count, poor mobility, abnormal sperm shapes)
• allergic to sperm

Question 11

name and describe how some treatments that stimulate ovulation work

Answer 11

• drugs that mimic FSH or LH
- FSH causes follicular development and LH causes the ovulation.
• drugs that prevent negative feedback (is FSH + oestrogen)
- FSH continues to be released so follicles continue to develop.

Question 12

what is a possible negative impact from the stimulating ovulation treatments?

Answer 12

super ovulation - results in more ova being released, resulting in multiple births.

Question 13

which infertility treatment would also require these stimulating ovulation drugs?

Answer 13

IVF - these drugs are required to “harvest” ova from the female

Question 14

when is an artificial insemination required and what is involved?

Answer 14

several seman samples are collected and combined over a period of time. the sample is then inserted into that female reproductive system without intercourse.

Question 15

what is in vitro fertilisation?

Answer 15

fertilisation outwith the female body.