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Year 11
Edexcel
Higher

Using hormones to treat infertility

I can describe the use of hormones to treat some types of infertility in humans.

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New
New
Year 11
Edexcel
Higher

Using hormones to treat infertility

I can describe the use of hormones to treat some types of infertility in humans.

Download all resources
Share activities with pupils

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Infertility is the inability to become pregnant (conceive).
  2. In adult human females, some types of infertility are caused by problems with hormones that control the menstrual cycle.
  3. Hormones can be used as a treatment for these types of infertility.
  4. The use of hormones in IVF treatment.

Common misconception

IVF is highly effective without side effects. People can already choose the features of a baby. All people can have IVF from the NHS.

IVF is less than 40% effective and this decreases with the age of the mother over 35. Genetic testing of embryos can be used to look for a disease, but genes cannot be altered. There is criteria for receiving IVF from the NHS and it is limited.

Keywords

  • Infertility - The inability to become pregnant (conceive).

  • Menstrual cycle - A monthly cycle which involves the maturation and release of an egg, and menstruation.

  • IVF - In vitro fertilisation, in which an embryo is formed in a laboratory and then inserted into the uterus of the mother.

  • FSH - Follicle stimulating hormone, which matures follicles containing eggs in the ovaries.

  • Embryo - A development stage when a fertilised egg starts to divide.

Pupils may wish to do the final task as a role play conversation; or the class could do further research and then debate it.
Teacher tip

Equipment

None requuired.

Content guidance

  • Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
  • Depiction or discussion of sexual content

Supervision

Adult supervision required

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Video

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Starter quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
Which hormone is not involved in controlling the menstrual cycle?
progesterone
follicle stimulating hormone
Correct answer: testosterone
luteinising hormone
oestrogen
Q2.
What does follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) cause?
fertilisation
ovulation
Correct answer: follicles to mature
menstruation
Correct answer: secretion of oestrogen
Q3.
What does fertilisation produce?
An image in a quiz
Correct Answer: A zygote, zygote, fertilised egg
Q4.
Which hormone causes ovulation?
Correct Answer: LH, Luteinising hormone, Luteinising
Q5.
Match the part to a description of its function.
An image in a quiz
Correct Answer:A,The egg travels down these oviducts.

The egg travels down these oviducts.

Correct Answer:B,Eggs are released by the ovaries.

Eggs are released by the ovaries.

Correct Answer:C,The cervix is the neck of the uterus.

The cervix is the neck of the uterus.

Correct Answer:D,Sperm is deposited in the vagina during sexual intercourse.

Sperm is deposited in the vagina during sexual intercourse.

Correct Answer:E,The uterus is where a fertilised egg will embed and grow until birth.

The uterus is where a fertilised egg will embed and grow until birth.

Q6.
Put these steps in order to describe the menstrual cycle, starting with menstruation.
An image in a quiz
1 - uterus lining breaks down and leaves the body
2 - follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) stimulates a follicle to mature
3 - oestrogen stimulates the release of luteinising hormone (LH)
4 - ovulation
5 - progesterone is released to maintain the womb lining
6 - progesterone levels drop
Q6 Dee-sign/Shutterstock

Exit quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
True or false? Infertility only affects females.
true
Correct answer: false
Q2.
What can cause infertility?
regular ovulation
Correct answer: low sperm count
Correct answer: low levels of specific reproductive hormones
keeping fit by running
Correct answer: low quality sperm
Q3.
Which hormones can be used to increase fertility in females?
progesterone
Correct answer: FSH
oestrogen
Correct answer: LH
testosterone
Q4.
Put these stages of IVF in the right order.
An image in a quiz
1 - FSH given to female to develop eggs.
2 - LH given to trigger egg release.
3 - Eggs are extracted.
4 - Eggs incubated with sperm.
5 - Fertilised eggs stimulated to divide into an embryo.
6 - Embryos implanted into mother’s uterus.
Q5.
What are the risks associated with in-vitro fertilisation (IVF) treatment?
Correct answer: may lead to multiple births
Correct answer: emotionally stressful for the couple
not all embryos are implanted
Correct answer: hormones can have side effects
Q6.
True or false? Each cycle of IVF has a 50% chance of success.
true
Correct answer: false