Chapter 4: Human Reproduction

4.7 – Reproductive Technologies

Reasons for conception troubles

• Man might not produce enough healthy sperm

• Oviducts f woman may be blocked

• One ovary might not be properly functioning

• Hormones might not be in proper amounts in woman’s body

• So, there are technologies to help!

Fertility Drugs

• These drugs help woman’s body to release more eggs because of hormones.

• More eggs released means a greater likelihood of getting pregnant.

• Often results in twins, triplets…

Artificial Insemination

• Usually a medical procedure where sperm is introduced into female’s reproductive tract.

• Why do this?

• If male has low sperm count, sperm can be collected over time and then used.

• If male produces no sperm, can use donor sperm from sperm bank

Intrauterine Insemination

• Similar to artificial insemination, but sperm placed into uterus, not vagina.

• More effective in that more sperm will survive to reach the egg. (shorter distance)

Gamete Intrafallopian Transfer

• GIFT

• Female’s eggs removed from ovary and reinserted into oviduct with sperm.

• Oviduct is the place of fertilization therefore, increased chance of fertilization

In Vitro Fertilization

• IVF – fertilization takes place in petri dish in a lab

• “test-tube babies”

• How?

• Follicles of immature eggs removed and allowed to mature

• Sperm cells from father added once eggs are mature

• Embryos then inserted back into mother at correct time in cycle. Several embryos means possibility of multiple births.

In Vitro Fertilization

• If mother cannot accept embryos for whatever reason, a surrogate mother can be used.

Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection

• ICSI

• One sperm inserted directly into a mature egg

• Used when IVF not effective

Misconception

• Test-tube babies are an easy way to have children

• These technologies are very successful

• Infertility usually fault of female

Misconception

• These tests take lots of planning, monitoring (cycles), need to take drugs at certain times,

• Only a 15%-20% success rate

• Statistically: 50% due to female, 50% due to male

Practice

• CYU 4.7 – p136 #8 (may need book) 11, 12, 14, 16