Sex and Fertility Flashcards
how do sperm mature in the epididymus
they begin to be able to move and have the potential to fertilise
what is the sperm maturation in the epididymus dependant on
testosterone
what is capacitation
where the sperms tail starts to move in a whip like action and its acrosome is lost enabling it to enter the oocyte
what digestive enzyme is found in the sperms acrosome
hualronidase
where do the sperm bind on the bona pellucida
ZP3 receptor
what makes up the majority of seminal fluid
the seminal vesicles
describe the fluid produced by the seminal vesicles
it is alkaline, and has fructose
what proportion of the seminal plasma is made by the prostate gland
25%
describe the fluid produced by the prostrate gland
milky, contains citric acid for calcium ion chelation
what glands produce a very same amount of seminal fluid
bulbourethral glands
what is cervical mucus like before ovulation
very thin and stretchy due to high oestrogen
what is cervical mucus like after ovulation
thick and sticky
where does fertilisation occur
in the ampulla of the fallopian tubes
what is a cortical reaction
where the oocyte empties its cortical granules - this changes its membrane to stop further sperm from entering
where does implantation occur
on the superior, posterior uterine wall
what is placenta preavia
where implantation occurs over the internal os
what nervous system causes an erection
parasympathetic
through which nerves is an erection initiated
the pelvic nerves
what does the parasympathetic NS do to cause an erection
causes the release of NO which increases arterial dilation, sinusoid relaxation and venous compression
true or false: the corpus spongiosum expands in an erection
false - this would block the urethra
what can cause erectil dysfunction
drugs, alcohol, tears in the albuginea
what does viagra do
slows down the rate of cGMP degrading, os theres more NO giving more blood flow to the penis
which nervous system controls ejaculation
sympathetic nervous system
what is emission
contraction of smooth muscle in the vas deferens, prostrate and seminal vesicles to move semen into the prostatic urethra
what effect may sympathetic antagonists on ejaculation
they can cause a dry orgasm as they prevent smooth muscle contraction
how does the combines oestrogen and progesterone pill work
inhibits ovulations by preventing the LH surge, also inhibits endometrial proliferation and makes the mucus thicker
how does the low dose progesterone pill work
does not inhibit ovulation
just makes the cervical mucus thicker
how does the intrauterine system work
contains high dose progesterone which inhibits the LH surge as well as thickening mucus and inhibiting endometrial proliferation
how does the intrauterine device work
it is made of copper which is toxic to sperm
define sub fertility
the failure of conception in a couple having regular, unprotected sex
what is primary infertility
where the couple have never conceived before
what is secondary infertility
where the couple have conceived before but can’t now
name some male causes of infertility
endocrine such as diabetes, hyperprolactineamia genetic vasculature obstructive STIs drugs
name some ovulatory causes of infertility
hypothalamic-pituitary failure
ovulatory failure
hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian failure
give 2 examples of hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian failure
PCOS
hyperprolactinaemia
what is PCOS
where women have too much androgens due to insulin resistance
this gives a lack of pulsatile GnRH
this causes abnormally high LH and oestrogen causing anolvulation
what is anolvulation
where ovulation does always occur
what does PCOS stand for
polycystic ovary disorder
how do patients with PCOS present
weight gain, increased hair, amenorrhea, infertility
what long term consequences of PCOS must you be aware of
developing diabetes due to the insulin resistance
oestrogen causing endometrial malignacies
what can be used to treat hyperprolactinemoa
dopamine/bromocriptine
what types of uterine damage can cause infertility
fibroids, pelvic inflammatory disease, endometriosis and development abnormalities
what types of tubal damage can cause infertility
endometriosis, pelvic surgery or pelvic infections
what is assisted reproduction techniques
where the oocytes are fertilised in vitro and allowed to develop into a morula. one of these cells is tested for genetic defects before being inserted into the mother
