Reproduction, fertility and contraception Flashcards
What is the site of sperm production?
Seminiferous tubules
What is the site of testosterone production?
The interstitial cells
What is the role of the seminal vesicles?
secrete a fructose rich liquid to provide energy for the mobility of the sperm
What is the role of the prostate gland in sperm production?
secretes an enzyme rich liquid that maintains the fluid at optimum viscosity for sperm mobility
what is the difference between sperm and semen?
semen is the collective term for the sperm produced by the testes and the fluids produced by the prostate gland and seminal vesicles
Where does the development of eggs occur in females?
within a follicle in one of the ovaries
Where in the female reproductive tract does fertilisation take place?
The oviduct
Which part of the brain is responsible for the activation of the pituitary gland at puberty?
The hypothalamus
What are the two pituitary hormones in males?
FSH and ICSH
What are the two pituitary hormones in females?
FSH and LH
What is the function of FSH in males?
Promotes sperm production in the seminiferous tubules
What is the function of ICSH in males?
promotes testosterone production by the interstitial cells
What is the role of testosterone in male reproduction?
Stimulates sperm production and activates the prostate gland and seminal vesicles to secrete their fluids.
Explain the negative feedback effect of testosterone on FSH and ICSH
When testosterone levels in the bloodstream are high this inhibits the production of FSH and ICSH by the pituitary gland. This then leads to a decrease in testosterone levels, resuming the activity of the pituitary gland to produce FSH and ICSH
How long is the menstrual cycle?
28 days
What is the role of FSH in female reproduction?
Stimulates the development of the follicle as well as the production of oestrogen by the follicle
What is the function of oestrogen?
stimulates the proliferation of the endometrium (inner lining of the uterus) as well as causing a surge in LH which triggers ovulation.
what are the two phases of the menstrual cycle?
follicular and luteal phase
what occurs during the follicular phase (days 1-14)?
FSH stimulates development of the follicle and production of oestrogen leading to a surge in LH causing ovulation
what occurs during the luteal phase (days 14-28)?
- LH stimulates follicle to develop into corpus luteum
- Corpus luteum secretes progesterone and oestrogen
what is the role of progesterone in female reproduction?
promotes further development and vascularisation of endometrium to prepare for implantation.
Explain the negative feedback effect of the ovarian hormones on FSH and LH?
When ovarian hormone levels are high FSH and LH are produced less to prevent the development of more follicles, the reduction in LH leads to degeneration of the corpus luteum and thus a drop in progesterone leading to menstruation.
What happens to the corpus luteum if fertilisation occurs?
the corpus luteum is maintained, progesterone is still produced which prevents menstruation
what happens to the corpus luteum if fertilisation does not occur?
The lack of LH leads to degeneration of the corpus luteum, therefore progesterone is no longer produced and menstruation occurs
What is the difference between men and women’s fertile periods?
- Men are continuously fertile due to a steady testosterone production
- women show cyclical fertility and are only fertile for 1-2 days each fertile period following ovulation
How can a woman’s fertile period be calculated?
- temperature (0.5 degrees rise the day after ovulation)
- cervical mucus becomes thin and watery during the fertile period
How can ovulation be stimulated with drugs for women who are infertile?
- drugs that prevent negative feedback of oestrogen on FSH
- drugs that mimic the action of FSH and LH
Explain the process of artificial insemination
insertion of semen into the female tract by means other than sexual intercourse.
In what scenario may artificial insemination be useful?
When a male has a low sperm count
What is ICSI?
procedure where healthy sperm is drawn into a needle and injected directly into the egg
When is ICSI commonly used?
during IVF treatment or when a mans sperm count is low or if they have defective sperm
What is contraception?
the intentional prevention of conception or pregnancy by natural or artificial means.
what are the chemical methods of ovulation?
- Morning after pills
- Mini pills
What are the physical methods of contraception
- barrier methods - condom, diaphragm, cervical cap
- IUD
- vasectomy for males/ tubal ligation for females
What is does the oral contraceptive pill contain to carry out its function?
synthetic progesterone and oestrogen which has a negative feedback effect on FSH and LH
What does the morning after pill contain in order to carry out it’s function?
- higher doses of oestrogen and progesterone than the standard oral contraceptive pill
When should the morning after pill be taken?
Within 72 hours of unprotected sex
What does the mini pill contain and what is it’s function?
- contains only progesterone
- cause thickening of cervical mucus which reduces access of sperm to the uterus.
