Infertility Flashcards
What are the requirements for fertility?
- production of normal sperm
- production of normal egg
- sperm traverse female tract to reach the egg - capacitation - time constraints
- sperm penetrate and fertilise the oocyte
- implantation of the embryo into the uterus
- normal pregnancy
What is the definition of the following:
- fertility
- fecundability
- fecundity
Fertility = measure of the actual outcome of the reproductive process - number of children born to an individual/couple Fecundability = probability of conceiving each month - the monthly chance of pregnancy, or monthly fertility rate, either for an individual (measured over time) or for a population (the number of conceptions occurring in one month) Fecundity = measure of ability to conceive AND produce a live birth
What is the definition of the following:
- infertility
- subfertility
Infertility = the inability to concede after a period of unprotected intercourse or the inability to carry a pregnancy to term Subfertility = a state of reduced fertility
How does NICE define infertility?
failing to get pregnant after two years of regular unprotected sex
What are the 5 female factors of infertility?
ovulatory disorders tubal damage endometriosis uterine abnormalities implantation, growth and development
What are the methods of diagnosing the causes of female infertility?
some by blood analysis (hormonal)
some by laparoscopy
hysterosalpingogram
What are 5 ovulation disorders?
Absent cycles Idiopathic ovarian failure Polycystic ovarian syndrome Anovulatory cycles - endocrinologically normal Abbreviated luteal following
Describe absent cycles
Secondary amenorhoea
Oligoammerhoea
Anovulatory cycles
- associated with stress, obesity, strenuous exercise, anorexia nervosa, drug use
- possible failure of maturation of neuroendocrine system at puberty
Describe idiopathic ovarian failure
- gonadotrophin secretion is normal but is insufficient to support a normal cycle
Describe PCOS
- associated with increased LH and ?androgen (mild increase in follicular phase)
Describe anovulatory cycles - endorcrinologically normal
luteinised unruptured follicle syndrome - eggs deficient
Describe abbreviated luteal phase
decrease progesterone –> poor luteinisation
What are the two major disorders of the female tract?
tubal obstruction
endometriosis
What can cause tubal obstruction?
What are its consequences?
- usually secondary consequences of pelvic infection
- increased incidence after STDs e.g. gonorrhoea.. chlamydia and tuberculosis
- post-abortal or post-pregnancy sepsis
- infection –> impaired oocyte and sperm transport due to loss of cilia on intraluminal cells and scarring –» adhesions
Describe endometriosis
endometrial tissue growth escalates in ectopic sites - oviduct, ovary or peritoneal cavity –> scarring/adhesions
What are the 4 maternal problems of infertile?
cervical incompetence
implantation defects (ectopic)
autoimmune e.g. lupus
immunological incompatibility - ABO or Rhesus blood group loci