Question

Define: infertile, fertility, fecundity, miscarriage, fetus, subfertile, preconception,preconception
When is the capacity to reproduce is established? What causes the maturation of the reproductive system?
List the hormones that regulate fertility process, source, and action
List the sources of disruptions in fertility- briefly explain each one
Table 2.3- Read and understand
Nutrition and fertility: Explain undernutrition, body fat, weight loss
Nutrient status and fertility Antioxidants, zinc, soy isoflavones, iron status, caffeine, alcohol, heavy metal exposures, physical activity
Explain why iron and folate during the peri-conception period.
Explain the effect of contraceptives during this life cycle
What is the ideal diet and lifestyle in preparation for pregnancy?

Answer 1

1.Define: infertile, fertility, fecundity, miscarriage, fetus, subfertile, preconception,preconception:

• Infertile- Unable to reproduce or failure to become pregnant
• Fertility- The ability to conceive and bear children
• Fecundity- It is the natural capability to produce number of offsprings an organism can produce. Reproductive rate of an organism is fecundity.
• Miscarriage- Spontaneous expulsion of fetus before 20 th week of pregnancy is called miscarriage or spontaneous abortion.
• Fetus- Offspring unborn in later stages of development before birth
• Subfertile- Fertile but there are some difficulties in conception .Diminished capacity to reproduce.
• Preconception- Occuring before fertilization of an ovum. Preconceived status.

2.When is the capacity to reproduce is established? What causes the maturation of the reproductive system?

The capacity to reproduce is established when development of secondary sexual characteristics and gonadal maturation occurs .Gonadotrophin hormone, Follicle stimulating hormone and lutenising hormone regulates reproductive system. LH and FSH play a role in production of testosterone by testes and oestrogen by ovary resulting in maturation of secondary sexual characteristics.Testosterone promotes maturation of male reproductive organs and the development of male secondary sex characteristics during puberty. Oestrogen produced by ovarian follicles exposed to FSH, stimulates maturation of female sex organs and the development of secondary sex characteristics during puberty.

3.List the hormones that regulate fertility process, source, and action.

• Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) is produced by hypothalamus. When it circulates in the blood, it causes the release of FSH and LH from the pituitary gland .

• Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) is produced by the pituitary gland. It stimulates development of the maturing ovarian follicle and controls ovum production in the female, and sperm production in the male.

• Leutenizing hormone (LH) is also produced by the pituitary gland. It stimulates the ovaries to produce oestrogen and progesterone. It triggers ovulation(the release of a mature ovum from the ovary), and it promotes the development of the corpus luteum.

• Oestrogen is a female reproductive hormone, produced by the ovaries. It helps in maturation and release of an ovum in every menstrual cycle. It is also produced by the placenta during pregnanc

• Progesterone is produced by the corpus luteum in the ovary; its function is to prepare the lining of the uterus for the development of the fertilized ovum. It also suppresses the production of estrogen after ovulation has occurred.

4.List the sources of disruptions in fertility- briefly explain each one.

Disruptions in male fertility may be caused by

• Abnormal sperm production or function
• Problems with the delivering sperm
• Overexposure to certain environmental factors like heat, pesticides or any medicines
• Damage related to any diseases like sexually transmitted or genetic or cancer and its treatment

Disruptions in female fertility may be caused by

• Uterine or cervical abnormalities like polyps ,uterine fibroids, shape of uterus
• Ovulation disorders like PCOD, hyperprolactemia ,hyper or hypothroidism.
• Fallopian tube damage or blockage caused by salpingitis, pelvic inflammatory disease
• Endometriosis
• Immune system diseases, certain genetic conditions such as Turner syndrome or carriers of Fragile X syndrome, radiation or chemotherapy treatment, and smoking may lead to ovarian insufficiency
• Pelvic adhesions.

5. Explain undernutrition, body fat, weight loss.

• Undernutrition- Lack of adequate energy and nutrients to meet the basic requirements of a body due to unavailability of food sources or poor absorption of nutrients or loss of nutrients.Under nutrition cause amenorrhea, infertility and an increased chance of miscarriage if pregnant.
• Body fat- It is a normal constituent of the human body that serves the important function of storing excess energy as fat for metabolic demands.Body fat is otherwise known as adipose tissue.Body fat is a significant extragonadal source of oestrogen. Obese women, fat girls have a diminished capacity for oestrogen to bind sex-hormone-binding-globulin leading to abnormal gonadotrophin secretion .
• Weight loss- Reduction in body weight .Ovulation is stopped in weight loss. Anorexia nervosa causes ammenorrhea, infertility ,etc