APPRECIATING THE

CONTRIBUTION OF
SCIENCE &TECHNOLOGY
TO HUMAN
REPRODUCTION
To overcome problems in human
reproduction
Applied in : -
a) birth control to avoid unwanted
pregnancy
b) to overcome sterility or infertility
 TECHNIQUES IN BIRTH
CONTROL
Used in family planning
Allows parents to determine the spacing &
timing between the birth of each of their
children
To limit the family size
To improve quality of life for the family
members (economic stability)
Preventing pregnancy or contraception is
part of family planning
The method used work in 3 ways :
a) to prevent the release of gametes
(prevent ovulation)
b) to prevent fertilisation
c) to prevent implantation
 Method of birth control
Natural contraceptive method
Male contraceptive method
Female contraceptive method
Natural method (rhythm & withdrawal method)
Physical method (condom, diaphragm, IUD)
Chemical method (spermicide, contraceptive
pill)
Sterilisation method (ligation & vasectomy)
Abortion method
Natural contraceptive method
Rhythm method
- married couple who used this method
avoid copulation during the fertile period of
the menstrual cycle (3 days before & 3
days after ovulation)
- safe period (will not lead to pregnancy)
Female contraceptive methods
Contraceptive implants
Intrauterine devices (IUD)
Female sterilisation
Contraceptive pills
Spermicides
Female condom
Diaphragm
Depo-Provera injection
 CAP

Rubber cap placed in the vagina & prevent the

sperms from reaching the F. tube
 Depo – Provera injection

Injection of synthetic progesterone given every 3

months
Make implantation of a zygote difficult
 Contraceptive pills

Contain oestrogen & progesterone that prevent

ovulation
High level of progesterone inhibit follicle develop
High level of oestrogen prevent zygote
implantation
 Spermicides

Chemical jelly, cream / foam that kills

sperms
 Male contraceptive methods
Condom
Vasectomy
Male birth control pill
Withdrawal method
 Condom

Thin rubber sheath fitted over penis before copulation

It stops sperms entering vagina
Also protects against sexually transmitted diseases
 Withdrawal method

Penis is pulled out from vagina before

ejaculation (release of sperm)
Not reliable
 Overcoming infertility
Infertility is the failure of a couple to have
babies
 Causes :

In woman
a) blocked Fallopian tube
b) no ovulation due to hormone
imbalances
c) no implantation due to damages or
abnormality in the uterus
In man
a) low sperm count
b) blocked vas deferens
c) impotence
d) inactive or abnormal sperms
Techniques to overcome sterility
Sperm bank
Artificial insemination (AI)
In vitro fertilisation (IVF)
Surrogate mother
cloning
 Sperm bank
Sperms from donor are frozen & kept in a
sperm bank (in liquid nitrogen at -196°C)
Genetic background & health condition of
the donor are screened by the doctors
Provide an immediate source of sperms
which can be used to help married couple
(inability of the sperms to function)
Sperms are chosen & injected into F. tube
during ovulation
 Artificial insemination (AI)
Sperms are taken from the husband &
transferred to the vagina of wife during
ovulation period
Causes – low sperm count / unable to
function
Can also obtain sperms from a sperm
bank
 In vitro fertilisation (IVF)
Fertilisation takes place outside the body
Term ‘in vitro’ means ‘in glass’
Fertilisation of the egg in laboratory
glassware
Cause - Fallopian tube are blocked or
damaged
Baby born by this technique is called
“ test-tube baby”
 Surrogate mother
A surrogate mother is a woman who is
willing to carry a baby to full term on behalf
of another woman who cannot undergo
pregnancy
Receives the sperm of a man whose wife
is sterile, through artificial insemination
The baby will be handed over to the
couple after the baby is born
Moral issues related to the application
of reproductive technologies
Controversial issues on the use of IVF ;
a) should humans go against God’s will, to
create baby?
b) wrong to destroy the embryo
Contraceptive method discouraged by
certain people & religious orders
Natural methods are the only acceptable
methods
 Sexually transmitted diseases
(STD)
Caused by pathogens that are passed
from an infected person to another through
sexual contact
Bacterial STDs can be treated with
antibiotics
AIDS cannot be treated with antibiotics or
vaccine
 STD Causative agent

Gonorrhea Neisseria gonorrhea (Bacteria)

Syphilis Treponema pallidum (bacteria)

Genital herpes Herpes simplex virus (HSV) type

2
AIDS Human Immunodeficiency virus
(HIV)
MEN

Discharge from the penis, usually yellowish

Pain or burning feeling while urinating
WOMEN
Unusual vaginal discharge
Painful urination
Spotty bleeding between menstrual periods or after sex
Pain in the lower abdomen
RECTAL INFECTION

Discharge from the anus

Anal itching
Painful bowel movements
Blood or mucus on the feces
The risk can be reduced by ;
a) limiting the number of sexual partners
b) use of condom
c) healthy lifestyle
condom