Question

In Vitro Fertilization
Reproductive technologies such as in vitro fertilization (IVF) may allow couples who
previously could not conceive to have children. However, the use of these technologies is
not publicly funded. This means couples have to cover their own costs and may prevent
some couples from having children.
You are tasked by the Government of Alberta to determine if IVF should be publicly funded.
Evaluate the use of IVF as a reproductive technology.

38. How does IVF work?

39. What is its success rate?

40. Describe three conditions affecting the male or female reproductive systems that IVF
can be used to assist with.

41. The use of any technology comes with social, environmental, ethical, and economic
considerations. Choose a viewpoint (social, environmental, ethical, or economic) and
explain the intended and/or unintended results of funding IVF from this viewpoint.

Summarize your findings using 100 words or less.40. Describe three conditions affecting the male or female reproductive systems that IVF
can be used to assist with.

Answer 1

IVF: in vitro fertilization is most commonly used type of assisted reproductive technology. It works by combination of pharmacotherapy and surgical procedures.

In normal females: the ovaries of the female reproductive system  produce ovam which is released when matured . Fallopian tube collect this ovum where it is fertilized by the sperm produced and ejected by the male reproductive system. The fertilized ovum called zygote moves down to the uterus and gets attached to the urtine walls. The zygote undergo continuous cell division to form embryo and latter fetus.

38: How does ivf works

Ovulation induction: Medications are prescribed by the doctor to increase the number of ovums produced. The several eggs produced by the ovaries and their maturation are monitored both blood tests and imaging techniques.

Retrieval : ovums once matured are retrieved using needle injected into the ovarian follicle . needles are connected to a suction device. The ovum is extracted out of their follicles.

insemination: The extracted ovum is mixed with the sperms in the laboratory. Healthy eggs among the harvested ones are selected for mixing The sperm can be from the partner or a donor.

Fertilization and development: in vitro fertilization happens. And development is monitored for 3 to 5 days in the laboratory.

Embryo transfer: One or more fertilized eggs are injected into the uterus of the female around the fufth day using a long catheter inserted into the uterus through the cervix. Hole is created in the outer covering, zona pellucida of implanted fertilized egg to help in the attachment with the urtine wall this is called assisted hatching.

preganancy hapoens if the embryo gets attached to the uterus lining.

39: Sucesss rate

Females less than age of 35 have sucesss rate of ivf upto 40% . Which reduces down to 30% as age increases to 40. Females having age above 40 years have success rate from 12% to 4%.  Success rate depends on the age of the female. The cumulative effect 3 full cycles of ivf increases the chance of pregnancy to 45 to 53%.

40: Conditions ivf can be used

1. Damaged fallopian tube
2. women with ovulation disorder
3. mens with reduced soerm count
4. reduced sperm mobility
5. genetic disorders

41: ethical, economic and social concern.

IVF treatment is very costly . Individuals with lower economic status or lower income may find it difficult to undergo this type of treatment this can lead to an inequity in society making the treatment affordable only to rich and only allowing the rich people to conceive through ivf. Pregnancy and having children cannot be restricted to particular strata of individuals so it would be better if the government could fund ivf. Chances of success are less by which the couple will be forced to repeat the treatment. Since this require multiple visit to the clinic, continues absence from work can cause loss of pay and females will be at higher stress owing to the hormone medications and procedures which decrease the success rate.