1. A – The reproductive system
The structure and function of reproductive organs and gametes and their role in fertilisation
Hormonal control of reproduction
The biology of controlling fertility
Ante- and postnatal screening

2. KA 3: The Biology of Controlling Fertility
(a) Basis of controlling fertility
(d) Contraception
(b) Fertile Periods
(c) Treatments for infertility

3. (c) Treatments for Infertility
Briefly describe each of the following treatments for infertility
Stimulating Ovulation
Artificial Insemination
Intra-cytoplasmic injection (ICIS)
In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF)
Suggest viable treatment options given information on a couples prior fertility.

4. (c) Treatments for Infertility
In groups, read the information on pages :
Stimulating ovulation
Artificial insemination
In vitro fertilisation
Intracytoplasmic sperm injection
For each of the infertility treatments above, discuss and make notes on:
Treatment name
Description of process
Why the treatment would be used

5. Treatments for Infertility
Stimulating ovulation
Ovulation is stimulated by:
Drugs that mimic the action of FSH and LH.
Drugs that prevent the negative feedback effect of oestrogen on FSH secretion.
Treatments which stimulate ovulation would be used when a woman is failing to ovulate because of an underlying factor, such as failure of the pituitary gland to secrete adequate FSH or LH.
These drugs can cause “super ovulation” that can result in multiple births or be used to collect ova for in vitro fertilisation (IVF) programmes

6. Infertility treatments
(b) Artificial insemination
Artificial insemination is the insertion of semen into the female tract by some other means other than sexual intercourse.
Artificial insemination may be used if a man has a low sperm count. Several samples of his semen are collected over a period of time and frozen. When enough semen (containing enough viable sperm) is collected, all of the samples are defrosted and collectively released into the female’s tract.
If a man is sterile a donor may be used.

7. Infertility treatments
(c) In vitro fertilisation (IVF)
IVF involves surgical removal of eggs from ovaries after hormone stimulation. The eggs are mixed with sperm in a culture dish. The fertilised eggs (zygotes) are incubated until they have formed at least eight cells and are then transferred to the uterus for implantation.
IVF would be used when a female has blocked oviducts.
IVF is also used in conjunction with Pre-implantation Genetic Screening (PGS) or Pre-implantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) to identify single gene disorders and chromosomal abnormalities.
This tests enable experts to select which embryos are suitable for implantation.

8. Extra Resources IVF and ICSI in action
(up to 10.35)

9. Infertility treatments
(d) Intra-cytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI)
ICSI involves drawing a healthy sperm into a syringe needle and then injecting it directly into an egg to bring about fertilisation. Commonly used as part of IVF treatment.
ICSI would be used if mature sperm are defective or very low in number.

10. Extra resources 3D animation of how ICSI works