Reproductive technologies - infertility hormones

• Hormones used in reproductive technology to treat infertility:

  • FSH (Follicle Stimulating Hormone): stimulates oestrogen production and the growth of follicles in the ovary, secreted by the pituitary gland
  • LH (Luteinising Hormone): stimulates ovulation, secreted by the pituitary gland
• Fertility treatments increase a woman's chance of becoming pregnant
• Fertility treatments may lead to multiple pregnancies, increasing the chance of twins or triplets
• In vitro fertilisation (IVF) treatment:

  • IVF stands for 'in vitro fertilisation'
  • Involves stimulating the maturation of several eggs with FSH and LH
  • Eggs are collected from the mother and fertilised by sperm in a laboratory dish
  • Fertilised eggs develop into embryos
  • One or two embryos are inserted into the mother's uterus to increase the chance of giving birth
• Development of microscopy techniques has allowed IVF treatments to be developed further