Key Area 2.3 Flashcards
State that the biology of fertilisation is put to the effective use when designing treatments for infertility an devising method of contraception
Have an awareness of the risks and ethics associated with fertility treatments
Can cause problems with the woman concerned
Also might be morally wrong to interfere with what was naturally meant to be
State what is meant by the term ‘fertile period’
When a woman is able to conceive young (2-3 days out of entire cycle)
Describe the term continuous fertility in men and the importance of negative feedback control of testosterone
Fertility in men is described as continuous
This means they have the ability to produce sperm and conceive all the time
This is due to the negative feedback of testosterone
Describe the term cyclical fertility in females
Fertility in females is regarded as cyclical fertility
This means they are NOT fertile all the time (2-3 days out of a month)
Describe and explain three factors that can assist in the calculation of a woman’s fertility period
Measuring body temperature
Observing consistency of cervical mucus
Using ovulation testers
Define the term infertility
The inability to naturally conceive young
State that there is a Variety of treatments available to treat infertility
Describe and explain how ovulation is stimulated and describe how effective this treatment is
Ovulation can be stimulated by:
- drug induction (mimic LH and FSH)
- drugs that prevent negative feedback of oestrogen
Major downside is that is can cause over sit,lustily of the ovaries resulting in multiple births or damaged ovaries
Describe the process of ‘Artificial Insementation’
Artificial insemination is the introduction of sperm to the female reproductive tract by means other than sexual intercourse.
- useful when man has low sperm count
- many semen samples can be collected and inserted into his partner or donor male into female
Describe in detail the process of in vitro fertilisation (IVF)
- the woman is given hormonal treatment to stimulate multiple ovulations
- a surgical procedure is employed to remove several eggs from around the ovaries
- eggs are mixed with sperm in a culture dish of nutrient medium to allow fertilisation to occur
- the fertilised eggs are incubated in the nutrient medium for 2-3 days to allow cell division to take place and form embryo’s with 8 or more cells
- 2 or 3 of the embryos are chosen and the inserted into the mother via vagina
- the remaining embryos are frozen and stored in case a second attempt is required
State what is meant by the term pre implantation genetic screening (Pgs)
A non specific approach that checks the embryo for single gene disorders and common chromosomal abnormalities
State what is meant by the term ‘pre implantation genetic disorder’ (PGD)
A specific approach that is used to check for a On my way! chromosomal or gene defect
Explain why both PGS and PGD are useful
Both PGS and PGD enable experts to select which embryos should not be allowed to become implanted in the mothers endometrium
State the ethics of PGS and PGD
Some people think that choosing an embryo is wrong because it is interfering with the natural random process of fertilisation. However some people think that it is their duty to bring the healthiest baby possible into the world
