Module 4
1. Module 4
1.19. Page 4
Module 4—From Fertilization to Birth
Lesson Summary
The following focusing question was addressed in this lesson:
- What technologies are used to assist fertilization, to monitor development, and to facilitate parturition?
Throughout history humans have tried to control their reproductive potential. Reproductive technologies first began as attempts to prevent pregnancy, and have now evolved into advanced contraceptive methods and into extremely advanced technologies used to enhance reproductive success. Reproductive technologies have also advanced to allow the monitoring of embryonic and fetal development, and scientists and doctors have even developed the technology and skill to make fetal surgery possible.
Developed countries have also made advances in technologies that assist in parturition. These advances in technology have not been seen in developing countries where women often die in childbirth.
The development and use of reproductive technologies have come a long way. However, there will always be an ethical and moral debate about the practice and use of reproductive technologies.
Lesson Glossary
abstinence: not having sexual intercourse; is often practiced in order to prevent pregnancies and decrease the risk of trasnmitting or receiving STIs
amniocentesis: a fetal diagnostic technique done by inserting a syringe through the mother’s abdominal and uterine walls to extract a sample of amniotic fluid, which contains sloughed-off embryonic cells; used to karyotype the embryo and diagnose chromosome non-disjunctions, such as Down’s syndrome
artificial insemination: a procedure in which semen from a donor is inserted by syringe into the vagina of a receptive female; used in the case of male infertility
barriers: any chemical or physical device that stops sperm from meeting the egg
Examples of barriers include spermicides and condoms.
chorionic villi sampling (CVS): a fetal diagnostic technique done by pinching off a small sample of chorionic villus; sample is obtained vaginally
Because chorion cells are embryonic, cells can be karyotyped to diagnose chromosomal non-disjunctions, such as Down’s syndrome.
contraceptive hormone treatment: birth control pills, birth control patches, and injections using estrogen-progesterone combinations to suppress ovulation, thus preventing pregnancy
cordiocentesis: the process of sampling fetal blood from the umbilical cord to test for the possibility of infection or blood disease
family planning: natural birth control that consists of avoiding sex during the fertile period around ovulation; can be tested for by a small increase in core temperature; not very effective
fetal surgery: surgery to correct congenital defects while the fetus is still in the uterus
home pregnancy test: a urine test that indicates if HCG is present in the urine
HCG is only produced by a chorion, so it indicates pregnancy.
in vitro fertilization (IVF): a process in which multiple eggs harvested from a female are combined with sperm in the lab, and the resulting embryo is implanted into the female; used in cases of female infertility
ovulation test kits: home kits that test the urine for a surge in LH, which indicates that ovulation will occur shortly; used to time intercourse to maximize the chances of conceiving
reproductive technology: any application of human intelligence that increases or decreases reproductive potential
superovulation: hormones similar to FSH are prescribed to stimulate the ovary to produce eggs more consistently
Conception may be natural or eggs may be harvested from the ovary to be used in IVF.
surrogate motherhood: the process by which an embryo is inserted into the uterus of a woman who will carry the fetus to term, then return the baby to the biological parents; used when a woman cannot undergo pregnancy
tubal ligation: permanent female sterilization in which the Fallopian tubes (oviducts) are cut and sealed to prevent further ova from passing from the ovaries to the site of fertilization
ultrasonography: fetal diagnostic technique by which high-frequency sound waves are bounced off the fetus, providing images of internal and external fetal structures
vasectomy: permanent male sterilization in which the ductus deferens are cut and sealed to prevent sperm from passing from the epididymis into the semen