Human bio: technology

5 factors affecting sperm fertility

Sperm count, morphology, motility, hormonal imbalances and sperm quality

What does POCS stand for and what does it do?

Polycystic ovary syndrome is a hormonal condition which affects the progesterone and oestrogen levels

What is ovulation tracking and how can it help fertility?

Using blood tests, hormone levels and other ways such as mucus and temp. The sperm only remain in the fallopian tube for about 2-3 days whilst the egg only lasts 24 hours.

What is ovulation induction and how does it help fertility?

When there’s a low rate of hormones, it may affect fertility rate. Using medicines such as clomiphene and hormonal injections, it can help trigger ovulation

What is endometriosis?

It’s a disease that makes similar tissue to the uterus lining, which grows outside of the uterus. It can block the fallopian tubes and forming ovarian cysts that prevents ovulation.

Fibroids

A growth in the muscular walls of the uterus. This blocks the fallopian tubes which causes the egg to stop passing through to the fallopian tube

What is in-virto fertilisation (IVF)

-Doctors simulate the ovaries so that multiple follicles developed. It also prepares the uterine lining

Gamete intrafallopian transfer (GIFT)

Hormonal treatment is used to stimulate the production of an egg.

The sperm and egg are examined before joined together (outside of body)

They then inject the fertilised egg into the uterine tubes

Zygote intrafallopian transfers (Zift)

When theres a blockage of the oviducts, an egg cell if removed from the mother and in vitro fertilised.

Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI)

A sperm is injected into an egg outside of the body

Surrogacy

When another woman carries the baby for a couple. The birth mother has the right to change her mind and keep the baby

Artificial insemination

Sperm is released into the fallopian tubes by a catheter, which is inserted through the cervix. The sperm are able to move naturally through the uterine tubes

What may happen to unused frozen embyros?

They may be disposed

Donated to other people

donate them to research

Describe a possible ethical issue regarding the uses of unused frozen fertilized embryos

The disposal of an embryo may be an ethical issue for some religions and beliefs because it’s a fertilised egg