The use of hormones to treat infertility (HT only) — AQA GCSE Biology
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The use of hormones to treat infertility (HT only) explained
In Vitro Fertilisation, usually shortened to IVF, is a fertility treatment in which eggs are fertilised by sperm outside the woman's body.
Read the full explanation
The word 'in vitro' means 'in glass', referring to the dish or tube used in the laboratory. IVF is used when the fallopian tubes are blocked or damaged, when other fertility treatments have not worked, or when a male partner has a low sperm count. The woman is given hormones so that several eggs mature, the eggs are collected and mixed with sperm, and the resulting embryos are placed into the uterus. Because several embryos may be transferred, IVF carries a higher chance of multiple births, so careful monitoring and counselling are part of the process.
Your focus
- Define IVF as fertilisation that occurs outside the woman's body.
- Describe the main stages of IVF, including hormone treatment, egg collection, fertilisation and embryo transfer.
- Explain why IVF may be offered when other treatments are unsuitable.
The use of hormones to treat infertility (HT only) exam tips
Marking Points
- IVF stands for In Vitro Fertilisation, meaning fertilisation occurs outside the body.
- It is used when natural conception is unlikely, for example because of blocked fallopian tubes or low sperm count.
- Hormones are used to stimulate the ovaries so that several eggs mature before collection.
- Eggs are collected and mixed with sperm in a laboratory dish so that fertilisation occurs outside the body.
- One or more embryos are transferred into the uterus to develop, and the treatment is monitored to reduce risks such as multiple births.
Examiner Tips
- 💡Explain the meaning of 'in vitro' to show why IVF is described as fertilisation outside the body.
- 💡Give a named cause of infertility, such as blocked fallopian tubes, to justify why IVF is used.
- 💡Sequence the stages clearly: hormone stimulation, egg collection, fertilisation in the laboratory, embryo transfer.
Common Mistakes
- Thinking that fertilisation happens inside the woman's body during IVF; correction: fertilisation occurs outside the body, and only the embryo is placed in the uterus.
- Believing IVF is the first treatment tried for all infertility; correction: simpler treatments such as fertility drugs may be used first, depending on the cause.
- Assuming IVF always produces a single baby; correction: transferring more than one embryo can lead to multiple births, which is why monitoring is important.