1. Starter Qs
1. The diagram below represents part of the mechanism which controls ovulation. 2.
Higher Human Biology Revised 2014
Which line represents oestrogen?

2. Starter Qs 1. 2.

3. 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

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

5. KA 3: The Biology of Controlling Fertility
Key Area 3
(a)
(d)
(b)
(c)

6. The Biology of Controlling Fertility (a) + (b)
Explain why infertility treatments and contraceptives are based on the ‘biology of fertility’
State which sex is continuously fertile
Explain why this sex is continuously fertile
State which sex is cyclically fertile
Explain why this sex is cyclically fertile
Describe two simple changes which occur in a female immediately following ovulation and could be used to identify her fertile period.
Identify the hormone responsible for these changes.

7. Controlling Fertility
This requires knowledge of ….
Structure and function of reproductive organs
Site of gamete production
Requirements for gametes
Hormone production and their effects
Knowledge you now have from KA 1 and 2!!

8. This knowledge has changed our society ….
The contraceptive pill was first made a available in 1961 on the NHS (people protested against it!)
Before the pill
After the pill
Women were expected to marry young with most having 2.4 children by the time they were 30.
Contraception: History of the Pill 2:37
Nowadays, women can choose to have children, further education and a career on their own terms.

9. This knowledge has changed our society ….
Infertility was attributed to a sign from the gods, who were also called upon to help out in the form of rituals and offerings.
Ancient cultures
Now …
There are stories of ‘barren’ queens drinking a concoction of animal blood, milk and urine in 17th century England to boost fertility.
Processes such as IVF and ICSI have helped over 30,000 UK couples have healthy children since the 1970s.

10. (a) The basis of controlling fertility
Infertility treatments for couples trying to get pregnant and contraceptives for couples avoiding pregnancy are based on knowledge of:
when and where the gametes will be released (i.e. fertile periods)
the pattern of hormones which control the female menstrual cycle.

11. Fertile Periods: Males vs. Females
THINK / PAIR / SHARE
Who do you think is continuously fertile?
Explain why.
Who do you think has a specific period of fertility?

12. (b) Fertile Periods: Males vs. Females
Men are continuously fertile. This is because:
This is in great contrast with the cyclical fertility in females…
Negative feedback effect of testosterone
Constant levels of pituitary hormones in bloodstream maintained
Steady quantity of testosterone being secreted and sperm being produced

13. Fertile Periods: Males vs. Females
Women have a period of fertility being restricted to 3-4 days immediately after ovulation.

14. Calculating fertile periods
The calculation of fertility can help a couple (who wish to have a child) know when sexual intercourse is most likely to achieve fertilisation.

15. Calculating fertile periods
Temperature:

16. Calculating fertile periods
Temperature:
Approx. 1 day after the surge of LH and ovulation, a woman’s temperature rises by °C, due to the action of progesterone and remains elevated during the luteal phase

17. Calculating fertile periods
Mucus:

18. Calculating fertile periods
Mucus:
During the fertile period, the mucus secreted into the vagina is thin and watery to allow sperm easy access to the female reproductive system.
However, after ovulation, the mucus gradually increases in viscosity, due to progesterone levels.

19. Starter Qs Suggest the knowledge required to control fertility.
Which sex experiences continuous fertility?
Describe two ways that a woman can monitor if she is in the fertile period of her cycle.
Structure and function of the reproductive systems, where and when gamete release occurs and fertile periods (hormone patterns in females).
Males
Elevation of body temperature by ºC
Thinning of cervical mucus

20. (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.

21. Infertility
Infertility is defined as the inability to conceive after one year of unprotected intercourse or the inability to carry a pregnancy to live birth.
11.9% of women, have received infertility services in their lifetime. ( National Survey of Family Growth, CDC)
1 in 7 couples have trouble getting pregnant or sustaining a pregnancy. ( National Survey of Family Growth, CDC)
WHO recognises infertility as a disease.
Approximately one-third of infertility is attributed to the female partner, one-third attributed to the male partner and one-third is caused by a combination of problems in both partners or, is unexplained.

22. (c) Treatments for Infertility
Read the information beginning on page 134:
Stimulating ovulation
Artificial insemination
In vitro fertilisation
Intracytoplasmic sperm injection
For each of the infertility treatments above, make notes on:
Treatment name
Description of process
Why/when the treatment would be used

23. (c) Treatments for Infertility
Treatment name
Stimulating Ovulation
Artificial insemination
In vitro fertilisation (IVF)
Intra-cytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI)
Description of process
Why / when the treatment would be used

24. (c) Treatments for Infertility
Treatment name
Stimulating Ovulation
Description of process
Why/when the treatment would be used
Ovulation is stimulated by:
Drugs that prevent the negative feedback effect of oestrogen on FSH secretion.
Drugs that mimic the action of FSH and 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.
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.

25. (c) Treatments for Infertility
Treatment name
Artificial insemination
Description of process
Why/when the treatment would be used
Artificial insemination is the insertion of semen into the female tract by some other means other than sexual intercourse.
If the male 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 partner is sterile, a donor may be used.

26. (c) Treatments for Infertility
Treatment name
In vitro fertilisation (IVF)
Description of process
Why/when the treatment would be used
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.

27. (c) Treatments for Infertility
Treatment name
Intra-cytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI)
Description of process
Why/when the treatment would be used
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.

28. Extra Resources IVF and ICSI in action
(up to 10.35)
3D animation of how ICSI works

29. Group Task: Fertility Treatments
Collect the 5 couple sheets
For each couple, discuss which infertility treatment they could possibly consider
You must be able to justify your response
There is not an answer sheet for this – it’s down to you to decide!

30. Qs Low sperm count To ensure enough viable sperm are collected
When the male partner is sterile
To monitor the negative effects on offspring / success rates

31. Starter Qs 1. 3. 2.

32. (d) Contraceptive State the 2 methods of contraceptive
Give examples of each method of contraceptive
Describe the biological basis for each method of contraceptive.

33. (usually involving hormones) Physical (stops gametes from meeting)
(d) Contraception
The intentional prevention of conception or pregnancy by natural or artificial means.
Chemical
(usually involving hormones)
Physical
(stops gametes from meeting)

34. Contraception Quiz: Read and Relate!
In your groups, select a ‘runner’
This person is in charge of collecting a question at a time, writing the answer down and returning it to me!
Everyone else must read through the information and find the answer as quick as possible!
RULE: you cannot collect a new question if your previous answer is wrong!
Or you can just make them write if you want??

35. Contraceptive implant

36. Condoms, Diaphragms, Cervical caps

37. Intrauterine Devices (IUD)

38. Sterilisation procedures in males

39. Sterilisation procedures in females

40. Contraception 1 Physical methods
Avoiding sexual intercourse during fertile periods
Barrier methods physically block the ability of sperm to reach an ovum (condom, diaphragm, cervical cap)
Intra-uterine devices (IUD) are fitted into the uterus (for months or years) and prevent the implantation of an embryo in the endometrium
Sterilisation procedures in males involves a vasectomy. This involves cutting and tying 2 sperm ducts, therefore preventing the release of sperm during intercourse
Sterilisation procedures in females involves cutting and tying 2 oviducts to prevent eggs from reaching the sperm

41. Oral contraceptive pills
Morning After Pill
Mini Pill

42. Contraception 2 Chemical methods
Chemical contraceptive pills are based on a combination of synthetic (man-made) hormones that mimic negative feedback preventing the release of FSH / LH
Oral contraceptive pills normally contain synthetic progesterone combined with synthetic oestrogen. These pills are taken for 3 weeks in order to increase the progesterone levels and therefore inhibit the production of FSH and LH there by preventing the development and maturation of a follicle
‘Morning after’ pills are emergency contraceptive pills since they contain higher doses of the hormones. They are taken after intercourse to prevent implantation of a fertilised egg
‘Mini-pills’ are also known as Progesterone Only Pills. They work by causing thickening of cervical mucus, therefore reducing the sperm’s viability and their access to the uterus

43. Tasks
Complete Qs 3 and 4 on page 139

44. Contraception Qs
C – F – D – A – E - B

45. Contraception Qs b) A hormonal treatment
c) A – to allow cell division to occur and for zygotes to form embryos
B – in case a 2nd attempt at implantation is required

46. Contraception Qs

47. Past Paper Qs 1. √
physical √ √
hormones 2.