Unit 3: Reproductive Technologies (Birth Control):

Question 1

Sterilization:

Answer 1

•vasectomy: portion of vas deferens is removed.
-close to 100% effective.
-has no effect on sexual desire and performance.
-sperm degenerates and are destroyed.

•tubul ligation: fallopian tubes are cut.
-prevents ovum from passing to the uterus and inhibits sperm from reaching the ovum.

Question 2

Barrier methods:

Answer 2

1. Condom: latex or similar material covering placed over the penis that prevents deposition of the sperm.
2. Diaphragm: rubber dome shaped structure that fits over the cervix. The diaphragm stops the sperm from passing through the cervix.
   -barriers are more effective if used in conjunction with spermicide.
   -reduce the risk of acquiring STD’s/STI’s.

Question 3

The pill:

Answer 3

•oral contraceptives.
•most commonly used are high concentration of progesterone and low concentration of estrogens.
•act as negative feedback on pituitary to decrease production of FSH and LH and on the hypothalamus to inhibit GnRH.
•prevents ovulation thereby preventing pregnancy.
•if taken at the same time each day, can be up to 99% effective.

Question 4

IUD: intrauterine device:

Answer 4

•small object that is inserted into the cavity of the uterus.
•foreign object inside uterus irritates the endometrium lining and makes it hard for an embryo to implant.
•2 types:
1. Copper IUD’s: negatively affect the mobility of sperm and prevent them from joining with the egg.
2. Hormone releasing IUD’s: releases very low levels of hormones which inhibit the build up of the endometrium lining making it nearly impossible for a fertilized egg to implant. Ovulation and fertilization may both still occur.

Question 5

Nuvaring:

Answer 5

•flexible ring that is inserted vaginally once a month.
•after 3 weeks, the ring is removed and a new ring must be inserted 7 days later. During this 7 day break, women experience their menstrual flow.
•contains hormones estrogen and progestin, which work together to prevent ovaries from producing mature eggs.
•these are the same hormones found in the pill, and they work the same way in your body.
•works as well as the pill— it is 99% effective in preventing pregnancy.

Question 6

Reproductive technology (1):

Answer 6

•as sterility or infertility can happen for a wide range of reasons, much research and advancement has gone into developing fertility enhancing technologies. Technologies such as artificial insemination, in vitro fertilization, surrogate mothers, ovulation test kits, and superovulation assist in trying to produce a new offspring.

Question 7

Reproductive technology (2):

Answer 7

•in vitro fertilization (IVF) is a procedure that can help couples who are having difficulty becoming pregnant due to blocked fallopian tubes, low sperm count, low sperm motility, or sperm that cannot penetrate the outer layer of an egg, among other conditions. During an IVF procedure, follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) is administered so that, instead of one oocyte maturing per month, 10 to 20 oocytes can be produced. Lutenizing hormone (LH) is given to trigger ovulation. The ova is retrieved using a syringe. The eggs and sperm are combined in glassware, and incubated until the zygote reaches the blastocyst stage. At this point, the embryo is implanted on the uterus. A maximum number of embryos can be implanted during each cycle due to highly successful procedures. This reduces the likelihood of multiple pregnancies.