Infertility problems and assisitive reproductive technologies Flashcards
What does a sperm need to be able to do for fertilisation?
1) Produced in sufficient quantities
2) Able to move forward
3) Able to penetrate corona radiata and zona pellucida
Factors affecting male fertility
Semen may flow into the bladder
* The male’s immune system may develop antibodies for their own sperm
* Blockages may occur in the male’s reproductive tract
* Hormonal imbalances can affect production of sperm.
Ovulation and its relation to fertility
As females get older, the number of healthy eggs remaining decreases
After Menopause a woman stops ovulating meaning she can no longer get pregnant
Endometriosis
Painful condition where cells of the endometrium grow out of the uterus
Results in scar tissue distorting uternine tubes and blocking egg path
Fibroids
benign growths in the muscular part of uterus that can block uterine cavity or fallopian tubes
prevent egg passing through uterus
What can be donated to assist in pregnancy?
Gametes or embryos
IUI
Intrauterine Inseminiation
Sperm released into uterus via the insertion of catheter into cervix
Advantages:
Control of sperm being inseminated
IVF
In-Vitro Fertilisation
Sperm and egg mixed artificially in laboratory
Zygote implanted in uterus
GIFT
Gamete intrafallopian transfer
1) Hormonal treatment stimulates production of more than one egg
2) Sperm and egg are collected analysed
3) Sperm and egg are mixed together in laboratory
4) The sperm and egg mixture is injected into the woman’s fallopian tubes
ICSI
Intra-cytoplasmic sperm injection
Sperm is injected into egg then zygote is implanted in uterus
Ethical Considerations of Assisted technologies
1) Involvement of third party in fertilisation
2) Fate of excess embryos
3) Separation of procreation and sexual function
