Assisted Reproductive

Technology
Chapter 2

Central Points
Sperm and eggs are formed in specialized organs
Males and females have different reproductive
organs
Infertility is a problem in some areas of the world
Medical techniques can assist infertile individuals
Legal cases will decide treatment of frozen embryos

2.1 How Are Sperm and Eggs Made?

Eggs and sperm are human gametes
Females
Ovaries produce eggs by meiosis and secrete
estrogens

Males
Testes produce sperm by meiosis and secrete
androgens

Animation: Meiosis and Sexual

Reproduction (sperm formation)

2.2 Male Reproductive System

Testes form in the abdominal cavity before birth
Descend into the scrotum
A duct system transports sperm out of the body
Glands secrete fluids to maintain sperm viability
and motility
Organ of copulation is the penis

Male Reproductive System

Male reproductive system

Sperm
SpermProduction
are produced by spermatogenesis in
the seminiferous tubules
Move to epididymis for storage
Muscles move sperm to the vas deferens
Then move sperm to the urethra and out

Vasectomy
Vas deferens is cut
Sperm are absent

Spermatogenesis
Occurs in seminiferous tubules, begins at
puberty, and continues throughout life
Spermatogonia divide by mitosis
Spermatocytes divide by meiosis to produce
spermatids (23 chromosomes)
Spermatids form mature sperm with tails

Spermatogenesis

Animation: Spermatogenesis

2.3 Female Reproductive System

Ovaries produce eggs by oogenesis
Fertilization occurs in fallopian tubes
Fertilized egg or zygote moves into the uterus
Outer uterine layer: myometrium
Inner uterine tissue: endometrium

Cervix opens into the vagina

Female Reproductive System

Female reproductive system

Egg Production or Oogenesis (1)

Occurs in the ovary
Follicles consist of a developing egg
surrounded by an outer layer cells
Oogonia divide by meiosis during embryonic
development and stop
Oocytes remain arrested until ovulation

Egg Production or Oogenesis (2)

Meiosis is not completed until after fertilization
Lifetime supply of developing eggs at birth
Sperm and egg nuclei fuse to form a diploid
zygote

Oogenesis

2.4 Infertility
Requirements for a successful conception:
A healthy sperm and a healthy egg unite to form
a zygote
Place for fertilization to occur (a fallopian tube)
Place for the fetus to grow (a uterus)

Age and Infertility

Causes of Infertility in Women

Problems that Affect or Prevent Ovulation

Hormone levels (most common cause of
infertility)
Absent or damaged ovaries
Premature menopause

Other Causes of Infertility in Females

Secondary amenorrhea
Fallopian tube blockage

Causes of Infertility in Males

Low sperm count
Low sperm motility
Impotence including
erectile dysfunction
Aspermia

Other Factors Influence Fertility

Personal habits
Environmental factors
Age associated with decreased fertility and
increased risk of chromosomal abnormality
Sexually transmitted diseases
Social factors

2.5 Assisted Reproductive Technologies

(ART)
Three of the most common:
Donation of gametes
In vitro fertilization (IVF)
Surrogacy

Donation of Gametes
Measure hormone levels and may treat with
estrogen or testosterone
If hormone treatments unsuccessful, gamete
donation from a sperm and/or egg donor

Sperm and Egg Donor Ads

Sperm Donation
Widely used for almost 50 years
Known or unknown donors
Frozen in liquid nitrogen
Sperm banks offer sperm from qualified donors
Web sites offer ability to choose the traits of the
donors

Artificial Insemination
Sperm is placed into the womans uterus at
ovulation
Sperm donation or sperm from several
ejaculations can be pooled and concentrated
Sperm can be retrieved from the epididymis or
the testis using microsurgery

Egg Donation
Egg donation is more difficult
Retrieval is time-dependent and involves
surgery
Donor undergoes hormone treatment and
laparoscopy
Freezing is difficult, and eggs are used for IVF
immediately after retrieval

In Vitro Fertilization (IVF)

Surrogacy
Two types:
Egg donor surrogacy
Gestational surrogacy

Surrogate may be relative, friend, or paid

stranger

New Ways to Make Babies