Class 14: Reproduction Technology Flashcards
Female Reproductive System
Gonads, Ducts, Uterus, Vagina
Gonads = Ovaries = produce eggs and female sex hormones Ducts = Fallopian Tubes/ Oviducts transport eggs/oocytes Uterus = Chamber in which the embryo develops; it's narrowed down portion (the cervix) secretes mucus that helps the sperm move into uterus. Vagina = Receptacle for sperm; birth canal. Structure for gamete interaction.
Male Reproductive System
Gonads, Testes, Ducts, Epididymis, Vas deferens, Accessory Glands, Urethra, Penis, Scrotum
Gonads = The testicles (One testis, two testes)
Testes = Produce sperm and male sex steroids.
Ducts = Transports the sperm out of the body (3 glands secrete fluids to maintain sperm viability and motility (prostate, seminal vesicle, bulbourethral, gland).
Epididymis = Site of sperm maturation and storage
Vas deferens = Conducts sperm to urethra
Accessory Glands = Produce seminal fluid that noursihes sperm
Urethra = Conducts sperm to outside
Penis = Organ of sexual intercourse
Scrotum = provides proper temperature for sperm formation by testes
“Successful Reproduction”
Healthy gametes, place for gametes to meet, healthy environment for embryo to grow
“Timing of meiosis”
Females - Oogenesis = process of formation of female gametes.
It starts during embryonic development when primary oocytes are produced by the oogonia in the ovaries and remain in prophase of meiosis 1 until ovulation happens.
- Ovulation begins during puberty of females.
- Meiosis produces 1 oocyte and 2-3 polar bodies (non functional gametes).
Males - Spermatogenesis in Males
- Spermatogenesis begins during puberty
- Millions of mature sperm are always in production
- Spermatogenesis takes about 48 days
- Meiosis produces 4 spermatids from 1 primary spermatocyte.
“Successful Reproduction”
Healthy gametes (Healthy Reproductive Organs), place for gametes to meet (Oviduct), healthy environment for embryo to grow (Uterus)
3 Causes of Infertility in Females
1) Uterine problems = filling of the uterine cavity. Polyps in the uterus or endometriosis.
2) Fallopian tube problems = Fallopian tubes blocked, can be from STDs (chlamydia), episodes of pelvic inflammation, appendicitis, or pelvic adhesion post surgery.
3) Ovulation disorders = Usually hormone imbalance. Estrogen too low, problem with LH Luteinizing Hormone.
2 Causes of Infertility in Males
1) Low Sperm Count = lower than normal sperm count due to environmental exposure to chemicals or radiation, obesity, hormone imbalances, or varicocele.
2) Low Sperm Mobility = The sperm have to move from the vagina through the cervical mucus up to the fallopian tube. They have to be good at “swimming”. The sperm morphology is crucial to their good mobility.
ART
- Assisted Reproductive Technologies developed to help infertile couples to have children.
Some require the collection of gametes:
- In women:
Hormones can induce ovaries to produce many oocytes which can then be collected, used fresh, or frozen down for future use. The age of the eggs is more important than the age of the woman/her organs. Young women can donate their eggs and have them be fertilized in older women.
- In men:
Sperm can be collected or retrieved through microsurgery, used fresh or frozen down for later time or kept in sperm banks. Most banks screen donors for common genetic disorders when it is possible. Not tested for rare genetic diseases.
ART
Assisted Reproductive Technologies developed to help infertile couples to have children.
Some require the collection of gametes:
In women, Hormones can induce ovaries to produce many oocytes which can then be collected, used fresh, or frozen down for future use. The age of the eggs is more important than the age of the woman/her organs. Young women can donate their eggs and have them be fertilized in older women.
In men:
Sperm can be collected or retrieved through microsurgery, used fresh or frozen down for later time or kept in sperm banks. Most banks screen donors for common genetic disorders when it is possible. Not tested for rare genetic diseases.
Intrauterine Insemination (IUI)
Sperm sample is collected and then directly placed in the uterus of the woman who is ovulating. Requires a sperm sample, and it can be provided by the male of the couple or from a sperm donor.
In Vitro Fertilization (IVF)
Female gametes and male gametes are collected and then incubated
In Vitro Fertilization (IVF)
Female gametes and male gametes are collected and then incubated in a dish outside the body of the woman until fertilization happens.
- One or a few resulting diploid zygotes is/are implanted in the uterus of the woman.
- “Test Tube Baby”
Intrauterine Insemination (IUI)
- Sperm sample is collected and then directly placed in the uterus of the woman who is ovulating. Requires a sperm sample, and it can be provided by the male of the couple or from a sperm donor.
In Vitro Fertilization (IVF)
- Female gametes and male gametes are collected and then incubated in a dish outside the body of the woman until fertilization happens.
- One or a few resulting diploid zygotes is/are implanted in the uterus of the woman.
- “Test Tube Baby”
Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI)
- An egg is fertilized by microinjection of a single sperm and then implanted in the uterus.
- Good for defects in sperm count of motility, when sperm can’t get into egg.
