AQA · GCSE · Combined Science

    Course version: 8464 · Version from Sept 2018

    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), the mother is given a fertility drug containing both FSH and LH.

    • 4 key terms

    Study notes

    From the checked teaching notes for this specification point.

    The idea

    In In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF), the mother is given a fertility drug containing both FSH and LH. The combined action of these hormones stimulates the maturation of several eggs in the ovaries at once. Giving these hormones raises the number of mature eggs available, improving the chance that some will be fertilised successfully in the laboratory. For example, a woman may inject these hormones daily for about ten to twelve days; ultrasound scans and blood tests track follicle growth. This is a hormone treatment, so it is studied at Higher tier, but the idea that hormones control the menstrual cycle and can be used medically applies to both tiers.

    What earns the marks

    • FSH and LH are given to the mother during IVF treatment.
    • Giving these hormones increases the number of eggs available, which raises the chance of successful fertilisation.
    • The hormones are given as a course of treatment before eggs are collected, not after fertilisation.
    • FSH and LH are reproductive hormones normally produced by the pituitary gland and control the menstrual cycle.

    Common mistakes and how to put them right

    • Thinking only FSH matures the eggs.

      Put it right by stating that both FSH and LH are given to stimulate the maturation of several eggs.

    • Believing only one egg is produced.

      Put it right by stating that the hormone treatment deliberately stimulates several eggs to mature.

    • Confusing IVF hormone treatment with contraceptive hormones.

      Put it right by noting that IVF uses FSH and LH to increase egg maturation, not to prevent it.

    Exam tips

    • State that both FSH and LH are given to stimulate the maturation of several eggs.
    • Link the treatment to the reason for giving it: more mature eggs means more chances of fertilisation.

    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

    During in vitro fertilisation (IVF), which hormones are given to a mother to stimulate the maturation of several eggs?

    Listen

    In In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF), the mother is given a fertility drug containing both FSH and LH. The combined action of these hormones stimulates the maturation of several eggs in the ovaries at once. Giving these hormones raises the number of mature eggs available, improving the chance that some will be fertilised successfully in the laboratory. For example, a woman may inject these hormones daily for about ten to twelve days; ultrasound scans and blood tests track follicle growth. This is a hormone treatment, so it is studied at Higher tier, but the idea that hormones control the menstrual cycle and can be used medically applies to both tiers. A strong answer earns marks for these points. FSH and LH are given to the mother during IVF treatment. Giving these hormones increases the number of eggs available, which raises the chance of successful fertilisation. The hormones are given as a course of treatment before eggs are collected, not after fertilisation. FSH and LH are reproductive hormones normally produced by the pituitary gland and control the menstrual cycle. A common slip: Thinking only FSH matures the eggs. Instead, stating that both FSH and LH are given to stimulate the maturation of several eggs. Exam tip: State that both FSH and LH are given to stimulate the maturation of several eggs.

    See it

    A flowchart with four boxes connected by arrows from top to bottom. The first box says the mother is given FSH and LH. An arrow leads to the second box, which says the hormones stimulate the maturation of several eggs. An arrow leads to the third box, which says more mature eggs are available. A final arrow leads to the fourth box, which says this gives a greater chance of successful fertilisation.
    It shows how giving FSH and LH during IVF stimulates the maturation of several eggs, increasing the number available and raising the chance of successful fertilisation.

    Put it in order

    Put these steps in the order they happen.

    1. 1. Hormones stimulate maturation of several eggs
    2. 2. More mature eggs available
    3. 3. Greater chance of successful fertilisation
    4. 4. Mother given FSH and LH

    Key words

    Say what each word means before you turn the card.

    FSH and LH

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

    IVF

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    Maturation of several eggs

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

    Increasing egg numbers

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    See every definition
    FSH and LH
    Hormones given to the mother during IVF that stimulate the maturation of several eggs.
    IVF
    In Vitro Fertilisation, which involves giving a mother FSH and LH to stimulate the maturation of several eggs.
    Maturation of several eggs
    The process stimulated by FSH and LH in the ovaries, raising the number of mature eggs available.
    Increasing egg numbers
    Raising the number of mature eggs available, which improves the chance that some will be fertilised successfully in the laboratory.

    Label the diagram

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

    The diagram again, with 2 boxes numbered instead of named. A flowchart with four boxes connected by arrows from top to bottom. The first box says the mother is given FSH and LH. An arrow leads to the second box, which says the hormones stimulate the maturation of several eggs. An arrow leads to the third box, which says more mature eggs are available. A final arrow leads to the fourth box, which says this gives a greater chance of successful fertilisation.

    • 1Box 1

    • 2Box 2

    0 of 2 labelled

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