Reproduction, fertility and contraception

Question 1

What is the site of sperm production?

Answer 1

Seminiferous tubules

Question 2

What is the site of testosterone production?

Answer 2

The interstitial cells

Question 3

What is the role of the seminal vesicles?

Answer 3

secrete a fructose rich liquid to provide energy for the mobility of the sperm

Question 4

What is the role of the prostate gland in sperm production?

Answer 4

secretes an enzyme rich liquid that maintains the fluid at optimum viscosity for sperm mobility

Question 5

what is the difference between sperm and semen?

Answer 5

semen is the collective term for the sperm produced by the testes and the fluids produced by the prostate gland and seminal vesicles

Question 6

Where does the development of eggs occur in females?

Answer 6

within a follicle in one of the ovaries

Question 7

Where in the female reproductive tract does fertilisation take place?

Answer 7

The oviduct

Question 8

Which part of the brain is responsible for the activation of the pituitary gland at puberty?

Answer 8

The hypothalamus

Question 9

What are the two pituitary hormones in males?

Answer 9

FSH and ICSH

Question 10

What are the two pituitary hormones in females?

Answer 10

FSH and LH

Question 11

What is the function of FSH in males?

Answer 11

Promotes sperm production in the seminiferous tubules

Question 12

What is the function of ICSH in males?

Answer 12

promotes testosterone production by the interstitial cells

Question 13

What is the role of testosterone in male reproduction?

Answer 13

Stimulates sperm production and activates the prostate gland and seminal vesicles to secrete their fluids.

Question 14

Explain the negative feedback effect of testosterone on FSH and ICSH

Answer 14

When testosterone levels in the bloodstream are high this inhibits the production of FSH and ICSH by the pituitary gland. This then leads to a decrease in testosterone levels, resuming the activity of the pituitary gland to produce FSH and ICSH

Question 15

How long is the menstrual cycle?

Answer 15

28 days

Question 16

What is the role of FSH in female reproduction?

Answer 16

Stimulates the development of the follicle as well as the production of oestrogen by the follicle

Question 17

What is the function of oestrogen?

Answer 17

stimulates the proliferation of the endometrium (inner lining of the uterus) as well as causing a surge in LH which triggers ovulation.

Question 18

what are the two phases of the menstrual cycle?

Answer 18

follicular and luteal phase

Question 19

what occurs during the follicular phase (days 1-14)?

Answer 19

FSH stimulates development of the follicle and production of oestrogen leading to a surge in LH causing ovulation

Question 20

what occurs during the luteal phase (days 14-28)?

Answer 20

• LH stimulates follicle to develop into corpus luteum
• Corpus luteum secretes progesterone and oestrogen

Question 21

what is the role of progesterone in female reproduction?

Answer 21

promotes further development and vascularisation of endometrium to prepare for implantation.

Question 22

Explain the negative feedback effect of the ovarian hormones on FSH and LH?

Answer 22

When ovarian hormone levels are high FSH and LH are produced less to prevent the development of more follicles, the reduction in LH leads to degeneration of the corpus luteum and thus a drop in progesterone leading to menstruation.

Question 23

What happens to the corpus luteum if fertilisation occurs?

Answer 23

the corpus luteum is maintained, progesterone is still produced which prevents menstruation

Question 24

what happens to the corpus luteum if fertilisation does not occur?

Answer 24

The lack of LH leads to degeneration of the corpus luteum, therefore progesterone is no longer produced and menstruation occurs

Question 25

What is the difference between men and women's fertile periods?

Answer 25

- Men are continuously fertile due to a steady testosterone production - women show cyclical fertility and are only fertile for 1-2 days each fertile period following ovulation

Question 26

How can a woman's fertile period be calculated?

Answer 26

- temperature (0.5 degrees rise the day after ovulation) - cervical mucus becomes thin and watery during the fertile period

Question 27

How can ovulation be stimulated with drugs for women who are infertile?

Answer 27

- drugs that prevent negative feedback of oestrogen on FSH - drugs that mimic the action of FSH and LH

Question 28

Explain the process of artificial insemination

Answer 28

insertion of semen into the female tract by means other than sexual intercourse.

Question 29

In what scenario may artificial insemination be useful?

Answer 29

When a male has a low sperm count

Question 30

What is ICSI?

Answer 30

procedure where healthy sperm is drawn into a needle and injected directly into the egg

Question 31

When is ICSI commonly used?

Answer 31

during IVF treatment or when a mans sperm count is low or if they have defective sperm

Question 32

What is contraception?

Answer 32

the intentional prevention of conception or pregnancy by natural or artificial means.

Question 33

what are the chemical methods of ovulation?

Answer 33

- Morning after pills - Mini pills

Question 33

What are the physical methods of contraception

Answer 33

- barrier methods - condom, diaphragm, cervical cap - IUD - vasectomy for males/ tubal ligation for females

Question 34

What is does the oral contraceptive pill contain to carry out its function?

Answer 34

synthetic progesterone and oestrogen which has a negative feedback effect on FSH and LH

Question 35

What does the morning after pill contain in order to carry out it's function?

Answer 35

- higher doses of oestrogen and progesterone than the standard oral contraceptive pill

Question 36

When should the morning after pill be taken?

Answer 36

Within 72 hours of unprotected sex

Question 37

What does the mini pill contain and what is it's function?

Answer 37

- contains only progesterone - cause thickening of cervical mucus which reduces access of sperm to the uterus.