Unit Two - Key Area 3 Flashcards
What type of fertility do men show and what does this mean?
continuous fertility - meaning they are continually producing sperm from the onset of puberty
What type of fertility do women show and what does this mean?
cyclical fertility - only being fertile for a few days during each menstrual cycle.
How can the fertile period of a woman be identified?
A woman’s body temperature rises by around 0.5oC after ovulation and her cervical mucus becomes thin and watery.
Name the three ways to treat infertility
Artificial insemination (AI), In vitro fertilisation (IVF), and Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI).
What is AI and why is it used?
Several semen samples are collected over a period of time and injected directly into the uterus. This process is used if the male has a low sperm count or if the male is sterile a donor may be used to provide semen.
IVF
What is IVF and why is it used?
Eggs are mixed with sperm in a culture dish and the zygotes (fertilised eggs) are incubated until they have formed at least eight cells and are then transferred to the uterus for implantation. IVF can be used in conjunction with pre-implantation genetic diagnosis to identify single gene and chromosome abnormalities.
What is ICSI and why is it used?
A process similar to IVF but if the sperm are defective or very low in number, ICSI can be used. The head of the sperm is drawn into a needle and injected directly into the egg to achieve fertilisation.
What is the inter uterine device method of contraception?
An inter-uterine device is a small T-shaped plastic and copper device that releases copper into the uterus. The copper alters cervical mucus making it more difficult for the sperm to swim to the egg. It also can prevent a fertilised egg from implanting in the uterus.
What is PGD (pre-implantation genetic diagnosis?
genetic profiling of embryos prior to implantation during fertility treatments
What is the contraceptive pill?
A chemical method of contraception. It contains a combination of synthetic oestrogen and progesterone that mimics negative feedback preventing the release of FSH and LH from the pituitary gland. Therefore, it prevents the development of any follicles.
What does the mini pill do?
thickens cervical mucus preventing the sperm from entering the uterus.
What does the morning after pill do?
prevents or delays ovulation
