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Infertility

Biology: Cambridge International GCSE Supplement, topic 16.5.6

Fertility Treatments

Some women do not have high enough levels of FSH to stimulate (lead to) the maturation of their eggs. This means that they are infertile. Some men do not produce enough sperm, or they have sperm which is unable to reach the egg. Modern reproductive technologies can help overcome these problems:

In vitro fertilisation (IVF)

In vitro fertilisation (IVF)

  • FSH and LH are given to stimulate the growth of lots of eggs.
  • Eggs are collected before being fertilised in a dish in a laboratory. They are fertilised using sperm from the father.
  • These fertilised eggs grow into embryos and are implanted into the woman’s uterus.
Artificial insemination (AI)

Artificial insemination (AI)

  • Sperm from a donor is collected and inserted close to the cervix. The sperm can be frozen and stored before being inserted.
Fertility drugs

Fertility drugs

  • A drug containing a mixture of FSH and LH can be prescribed by a doctor.
  • By boosting the levels of these hormones, the release of an egg in the ovaries is stimulated.

Test yourself on Infertility

  • An infertile woman has insufficient levels of which hormone?

  • What does IVF stand for?

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