AQA · GCSE · Combined Science

    Course version: 8464 · Version from Sept 2018

    The use of hormones to treat infertility (HT only): This includes giving FSH and LH in a 'fertility drug' to a woman. She may then become pregnant in the normal way.

    This Higher Tier-only topic covers the use of hormones to treat infertility.

    • 4 key terms

    Study notes

    From the checked teaching notes for this specification point.

    The idea

    This Higher Tier-only topic covers the use of hormones to treat infertility. When a woman's hormones do not mature and release eggs reliably, a fertility drug containing FSH and LH is given. FSH stimulates the ovaries to mature follicles, each containing an egg. LH then triggers ovulation, releasing the egg into the oviduct. If intercourse occurs around ovulation, sperm can fertilise the egg inside the body, allowing normal pregnancy. Doctors monitor follicle growth via ultrasound to adjust doses and reduce multiple pregnancy risks. This treatment boosts natural hormones rather than collecting eggs outside the body.

    What earns the marks

    • FSH is given to stimulate follicles in the ovary to mature, so eggs develop.
    • LH is given to trigger ovulation, releasing a mature egg from the ovary.
    • Giving both hormones together as a fertility drug raises the chance of egg release.
    • Fertilisation occurs inside the woman's body after intercourse, leading to normal pregnancy.
    • Monitoring follicle growth helps clinicians judge when ovulation is likely and avoid multiple pregnancies.

    Common mistakes and how to put them right

    • Confusing the roles of FSH and LH.

      Put it right: FSH matures follicles, whereas LH triggers ovulation; state each role separately.

    • Claiming the drug guarantees pregnancy.

      Put it right: It raises the chance of ovulation and conception but does not guarantee success.

    • Describing IVF when asked about fertility drugs.

      Put it right: IVF involves collecting eggs outside the body, whereas fertility drugs allow normal internal fertilisation.

    Exam tips

    • Remember that treating infertility with hormones is assessed at Higher Tier only.
    • Name both hormones (FSH and LH) and give the specific job of each in one clear sentence.
    • Use the phrase 'pregnant in the normal way' to show fertilisation happens inside the body.

    Try the lesson

    The start of the The use of hormones to treat infertility (HT only): This includes giving FSH and LH in a 'fertility drug' to a woman. She may then become pregnant in the normal way. lesson, made from checked teaching notes for this specification point.

    Have a go first

    Which hormone in a fertility drug causes eggs to mature in the ovaries?

    Listen

    This Higher Tier-only topic covers the use of hormones to treat infertility. When a woman's hormones do not mature and release eggs reliably, a fertility drug containing FSH and LH is given. FSH stimulates the ovaries to mature follicles, each containing an egg. LH then triggers ovulation, releasing the egg into the oviduct. If intercourse occurs around ovulation, sperm can fertilise the egg inside the body, allowing normal pregnancy. Doctors monitor follicle growth via ultrasound to adjust doses and reduce multiple pregnancy risks. This treatment boosts natural hormones rather than collecting eggs outside the body. A strong answer earns marks for these points. FSH is given to stimulate follicles in the ovary to mature, so eggs develop. LH is given to trigger ovulation, releasing a mature egg from the ovary. Giving both hormones together as a fertility drug raises the chance of egg release. Fertilisation occurs inside the woman's body after intercourse, leading to normal pregnancy. Exam tip: Remember that treating infertility with hormones is assessed at Higher Tier only.

    See it

    A vertical flowchart with eight boxes linked by arrows. The first box says a fertility drug containing FSH and LH is given. An arrow leads to a box saying FSH stimulates the ovaries to mature follicles, then to a box saying each follicle contains an egg, then to a box saying LH triggers ovulation, then to a box saying a mature egg is released from the ovary, then to a box saying intercourse around ovulation, then to a box saying fertilisation inside the woman's body, and finally to a box saying pregnancy in the normal way.
    It shows the sequence from giving a fertility drug containing FSH and LH through to pregnancy in the normal way.

    Put it in order

    Put these steps in the order they happen.

    1. 1. FSH stimulates ovaries to mature follicles
    2. 2. Each follicle contains an egg
    3. 3. LH triggers ovulation
    4. 4. Mature egg released from the ovary
    5. 5. Intercourse around ovulation
    6. 6. Fertilisation inside the woman's body
    7. 7. Pregnancy in the normal way
    8. 8. Fertility drug containing FSH and LH given

    Key words

    Say what each word means before you turn the card.

    FSH

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

    LH

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

    Fertility drug

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

    Ovulation

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

    See every definition
    FSH
    Given to stimulate follicles in the ovary to mature, so eggs develop.
    LH
    Given to trigger ovulation, releasing a mature egg from the ovary.
    Fertility drug
    Contains FSH and LH and is given to a woman so that she may then become pregnant in the normal way.
    Ovulation
    Triggered by LH, it releases a mature egg from the ovary.

    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 vertical flowchart with eight boxes linked by arrows. The first box says a fertility drug containing FSH and LH is given. An arrow leads to a box saying FSH stimulates the ovaries to mature follicles, then to a box saying each follicle contains an egg, then to a box saying LH triggers ovulation, then to a box saying a mature egg is released from the ovary, then to a box saying intercourse around ovulation, then to a box saying fertilisation inside the woman's body, and finally to a box saying pregnancy in the normal way.

    • 1Box 1

    • 2Box 2

    • 3Box 3

    0 of 3 labelled

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