Page 98 - 86 human physiology part-2

The Female Reproductive System

gonads: in females, the gonads are the ovaries. The female gonads produce female gametes (eggs); the
male gonads produce male gametes (sperm). After an egg is fertilized by the sperm, the fertilized egg is
called the zygote.

The fertilization usually occurs in the oviducts, but can happen in the uterus itself. The zygote then
implants itself in the wall of the uterus, where it begins the processes of embryogenesis and
morphogenesis. The womens body carries out this process of reproduction for 40 weeks, until delivery
of the fetus from the uterus through the vagina or birth canal. Even after birth, the female continues
with the reproduction process by supplying the milk to nourish the infant.

Infertility

Infertility is the inability to naturally conceive a child or the inability to carry a pregnancy to term.
There are many reasons why a couple may not be able to conceive without medical assistance.
Infertility affects approximately 15% of couples. Roughly 40% of cases involve a male contribution or
factor, 40% involve a female factor, and the remaining 20% involve both sexes. Healthy couples in
their mid-20s having regular sex have a one-in-four chance of getting pregnant in any given month.
This is called "Fecundity".

Primary vs. secondary

According to the American Society for Reproductive Medicine, infertility affects about 6.1 million
people in the United States, equivalent to 10% of the reproductive age population. Female infertility
accounts for one third of infertility cases, male infertility for another third, combined male and female
infertility for another 15%, and the remainder of cases are "unexplained.

"Secondary infertility" is difficulty conceiving after already having conceived and carried a normal
pregnancy. Apart from various medical conditions (e.g. hormonal), this may come as a result of age
and stress felt to provide a sibling for their first child. Technically, secondary infertility is not present if
there has been a change of partners.

Factors of Infertility

Factors relating to female infertility are:

• General factors
• Diabetes mellitus,thyroid disorders,adrenal disease
• Significant liver,kidney disease
• Psychological factors
• Hypothalamic-pituitary factors:
• Kallmann syndrome
• Hypothalamic dysfunction
• Hyperprolactinemia
• Hypopituitarism
• Ovarian factors
• Polycystic ovary syndrome

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