Applications of Biological Techniques Used in Manipulation of the Reproductive Cycle

Applications of biological techniques used in manipulation of the reproductive cycle

In the United States of America there are 6.2 million women that have difficulties in conceiving children1. Over the past decade there has been a 26% increase in reported incidences of infertility. There are several major causes of infertility in women; endometriosis, ovulation problems and female tube blockages 2 (www.babycentre.co.uk) but fewer in men, the main ones being male tube blockages and poor semen quality. 20-25% of instances of infertility are caused by either combined factors, or unexplained infertility3 .

Techniques which involve aiding conception are known as; assisted reproductive technology (ART), with the most renowned being in vitro fertilisation (IVF). IVF is defined as "infertility treatment that involves manipulation of both oocytes and sperm in a laboratory" 4.

As stated, technology is used to assist, or manipulate reproduction. IVF involves a number of complicated processes in which; "a man's sperm is united with a woman's egg in a laboratory where fertilisation occurs" 5. The female then undergoes "superovulation" (treatment to enhance ovulation) with a number of injectable fertility medications resulting in multiple eggs in both ovaries. These embryos are then inserted into the uterus. This is not the only possible applied technique, others are; intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) "which involves gamete micro manipulation" 6. Assisted hatching is an "advanced micro manipulation technique" that is commonly employed to aid "embryo implantation for patients in whom it may be less likely to naturally occur" 7 (www.layyous.com). Egg donation is becoming an increasingly valuable therapy, employed by patients with a poor prognosis for IVF success using their own oocytes (eggs). These include women with: a premature menopause, advanced reproductive age (e.g. over 40 years old), elevated FSH (follicle stimulating hormone) levels, poor response to injectable fertility medications and "multiple failed IVF cycles caused by poor egg or embryo quality" 8 (www.umm.edu). The last well known technique is; intrauterine insemination (IUI). This technique is a treatment that may be used when "the female partner does not produce sufficient cervical mucus at the time of ovulation" (www.rscbayarea.com)