AQA · GCSE · Biology

    Course version: 8461 · Version from Sept 2018

    IVF involves giving a mother FSH and LH to stimulate the maturation of…

    Full specification wording

    The use of hormones to treat infertility (HT only): IVF involves giving a mother FSH and LH to stimulate the maturation of several eggs.

    In In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF), a mother is given fertility drugs containing both Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH) and Luteinising Hormone (LH).

    Checked against the AQA 8461 specification (opens in a new tab) on .

    • Point 4 of 7
    • 4 key terms

    Study notes

    From the checked teaching notes for this specification point.

    The idea

    In In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF), a mother is given fertility drugs containing both Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH) and Luteinising Hormone (LH). According to the specification, these hormones are administered together to stimulate the maturation of several eggs in the ovaries. Normally, only one egg matures per cycle, but providing extra FSH and LH ensures multiple eggs mature simultaneously. For example, a patient might produce ten mature eggs instead of one. These mature eggs are then collected from the mother's ovaries before they are naturally released. Collecting multiple eggs is crucial because it increases the chances of successfully fertilising at least one in the laboratory to develop into an embryo, thereby improving the overall success rate of the fertility treatment.

    What earns the marks

    • The purpose of giving these hormones is to stimulate the maturation of several eggs in the ovaries.
    • Maturing multiple eggs is necessary so that a larger number can be collected prior to natural ovulation.
    • Collecting several eggs increases the probability of successful fertilisation in the laboratory and subsequent embryo development.

    Common mistakes and how to put them right

    • Stating that LH is given to trigger ovulation in IVF.

      Put it right by specifying that in IVF, both FSH and LH are given to stimulate the maturation of several eggs before they are collected.

    • Confusing the roles of IVF hormones with contraception.

      Put it right by remembering that IVF uses FSH and LH to increase egg maturation, whereas contraceptives often use oestrogen and progesterone to inhibit FSH production.

    • Thinking the hormones are given to the father.

      Put it right by stating that FSH and LH are given to the mother to act on her ovaries.

    Exam tips

    • Always state that both FSH and LH are used to stimulate the maturation of several eggs; do not just say they make eggs grow.
    • If asked why multiple eggs are needed, explain that it increases the chance of successful fertilisation and embryo development in the laboratory.

    Try the lesson

    The start of the The use of hormones to treat infertility (HT only): IVF involves giving a mother FSH and LH to stimulate the maturation of several eggs. lesson, made from checked teaching notes for this specification point.

    Have a go first

    In IVF treatment, which hormone is given mainly to stimulate several eggs to mature at the same time?

    Listen

    In In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF), a mother is given fertility drugs containing both Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH) and Luteinising Hormone (LH). According to the specification, these hormones are administered together to stimulate the maturation of several eggs in the ovaries. Normally, only one egg matures per cycle, but providing extra FSH and LH ensures multiple eggs mature simultaneously. For example, a patient might produce ten mature eggs instead of one. These mature eggs are then collected from the mother's ovaries before they are naturally released. Collecting multiple eggs is crucial because it increases the chances of successfully fertilising at least one in the laboratory to develop into an embryo, thereby improving the overall success rate of the fertility treatment. A strong answer earns marks for these points. The purpose of giving these hormones is to stimulate the maturation of several eggs in the ovaries. Maturing multiple eggs is necessary so that a larger number can be collected prior to natural ovulation. Collecting several eggs increases the probability of successful fertilisation in the laboratory and subsequent embryo development. A common slip: Stating that LH is given to trigger ovulation in IVF. Instead, specifying that in IVF, both FSH and LH are given to stimulate the maturation of several eggs before they are collected. Exam tip: Always state that both FSH and LH are used to stimulate the maturation of several eggs; do not just say they make eggs grow.

    See it

    A flowchart running from top to bottom. The first box says the mother is given FSH and LH. An arrow leads to a box saying this stimulates the maturation of several eggs. An arrow leads to a box saying multiple eggs mature simultaneously. An arrow leads to a box saying the mature eggs are collected from the ovaries. An arrow leads to a box saying this increases the chance of successful fertilisation in the laboratory. A final arrow leads to a box saying this improves the success rate of IVF.
    It shows how giving the mother FSH and LH stimulates the maturation of several eggs, which are collected to increase the chance of successful fertilisation and improve the success rate of IVF.

    Put it in order

    Put these steps in the order they happen.

    1. 1. Multiple eggs mature simultaneously
    2. 2. Stimulates maturation of several eggs
    3. 3. Mother given FSH and LH
    4. 4. Improved success rate of IVF
    5. 5. Increased chance of successful fertilisation in the laboratory
    6. 6. Mature eggs collected from ovaries

    Key words

    Say what each word means before you turn the card.

    IVF

    Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.

    FSH and LH

    Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.

    Maturation of several eggs

    Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.

    Collection of eggs

    Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.

    See every definition
    IVF
    A treatment in which a mother is given FSH and LH to stimulate the maturation of several eggs.
    FSH and LH
    Hormones given together to the mother to stimulate the maturation of several eggs in the ovaries.
    Maturation of several eggs
    The process stimulated by giving FSH and LH, ensuring multiple eggs mature simultaneously rather than only one per cycle.
    Collection of eggs
    Mature eggs are collected from the mother's ovaries before they are naturally released, increasing the chances of successful fertilisation in the laboratory.

    Label the diagram

    Some boxes have lost their names. Pick the right name for each number.

    The diagram again, with 3 boxes numbered instead of named. A flowchart running from top to bottom. The first box says the mother is given FSH and LH. An arrow leads to a box saying this stimulates the maturation of several eggs. An arrow leads to a box saying multiple eggs mature simultaneously. An arrow leads to a box saying the mature eggs are collected from the ovaries. An arrow leads to a box saying this increases the chance of successful fertilisation in the laboratory. A final arrow leads to a box saying this improves the success rate of IVF.

    • 1Box 1

    • 2Box 2

    • 3Box 3

    0 of 3 labelled

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