Jai guru dev

Biology investigatory PROJECT

INFERTILITY

Done By: SOUMODE ROY

CLASS : 12 – G

Acknowledgement
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 I am overwhelmed in humbleness and
gratefulness to acknowledge my depth who have
helped me to put these ideas together well and with
out whom this project would not have been reality .

Firstly , I would like to express my special thanks

to my HOD Mrs. Gajalakshmi and school for providing
me this opportunity to do the project . I am highly
indedebted to my biology teacher Mrs. Kavitha for her
valuable guidance in completing my project .

Any attempt at any level can’t be satisfactory

completed without the support and guidance of my
parents and friends .

I would like to extend my gratitude to my

parents and friends who helped me a lot in gathering
information , collecting data and guiding me from time
to time in making this project unique .

SYNOPSIS
PAGE BIOLOGY
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 1 BONAFIDE PAPER
2 TOPIC
3 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
4 SYNOPSIS
5 INTRODUCTION
6 OBJECTIVE
7 MATERIAL REQUIRED
8 PROCEDURE
9 OBSERVATION
10 RESULT
11 COCLUSION
12 PRECAUTION

13 BIBLIOGRPHY

introduction

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Infertility is the inability of a person, animal or plant to
reproduce by natural means. It is usually not the
natural state of a healthy adult organism, except
notably among certain social species (mostly
haplodiploid insects
In humans, infertility may describe a woman who is
unable to conceive as well as being unable to carry
pregnancy to full term. There are many biological and
other causes of infertility, including some that medical
intervention can treat. Infertility rates have increased
by 4% since the 1980s, mostly from problems with
fecundity due to an increase in age. About 40% of the
issues involved with infertility are due to the man,
another 40% due to the woman, and 20% result from
complications with both partners.
Women who are fertile experience a natural period of
fertility before and during ovulation, and they are
naturally infertile during the rest of the menstrual cycle
. Fertility awareness methods are used to discern when
these changes occur by tracking changes in cervical
mucus or basal body temperature
Infertility is “a disease of the reproductive system
defined by the failure to achieve a clinical pregnancy
after 12 months or more of regular unprotected sexual
intercourse (and there is no other reason, such as

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breastfeeding or postpartum amenorrhea). Primary
infertility is infertility in a couple who have never had a
child. Secondary infertility is failure to conceive
following a previous pregnancy. Infertility may be
caused by infection in the man or woman, but often
there is no obvious underlying cause.
One definition of infertility that is frequently used in
the United States by doctors who specialize in
infertility, to consider a couple eligible for treatment is:
 A woman under 35 has not conceived after 12
months of contraceptive-free intercourse. Twelve
months is the lower reference limit for Time to
Pregnancy (TTP) by the World Health Organization.
 A woman over 35 has not conceived after months
of contraceptive-free sexual intercourse.

THEORY

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Researchers commonly base demographic studies on
infertility prevalence on a five-year period. Practical
measurement problems, however, exist for any
definition, because it is difficult to measure continuous
exposure to the risk of pregnancy over a period of
years.
There are two types of infertility:
 Primary infertility
 Secondary infertility

PRIMARY INFERTILITY:
Primary infertility is defined as the absence of a live
birth for women who desire a child and have been in
a union for at least five years, during which they
have not used any contraceptives. The World Health
Organization also adds that 'women whose
pregnancy spontaneously miscarries, or whose
pregnancy results in a still born child, without ever
having had a live birth would present with primarily
infertility

SECONDARY INFERTILITY:

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 Secondary infertility is defined as the absence of a
livebirth for women who desire a child and have
been in aunion for at least five years since their last
live birth,during which they did not use any
contraceptives. Thus, the distinguishing feature is
whether or not thecouple have ever had a pregnancy
which led to a livebirth.

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CAUSES
Infertility may be caused by a number of different
factors in either of the male or female reproductive
systems.
IN FEMALES
 Tubal disorders such as blocked fallopian tubes,
which are caused by untreated STDs.
 Uterine disorders which could be inflammatory in
nature.
 Disorders of the ovaries, such as ‘polycystic ovarian
syndrome’ and other follicular disorders.
 Disorders of the endocrine system causing
imbalance of reproductive hormones.

IN MALES
 Obstruction of the reproductive tract causing
dysfunction in the ejection of semen.
 Hormonal disorder.
 Testicular failure.
 Abnormal sperm function and quality.
 Environmental factors.
 Lifestyle such as smocking, excessive alcohol intake,
obesity etc.

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 Hyperprolactinemia (elevated prolactin levels in
blood).
 Hypopituitarism (pituitary gland fails to produce one
or more hormone).
German scientists have reported that a virus called
Adeno-associated virus might have role in male
infertility, though it is otherwise not harmful.

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Effects
PSYCHOLOGICAL EFFECTS
There is no doubt that infertility causes stress and also
stress can cause infertility. A person who has this
disorder goes through a series of psychological effects,
he or she cannot concentrate on anything else
properly.
RELATIONSHIP EFFECT
Infertility can cause a relation to break. Not
surprisingly, one study from 2004 found that men in
infertile couples tended to experience less satisfaction
in the bedroom. This is likely because of the mental
pressure to perform every month. The same study also
found that women often reported less satisfaction with
their marriages. In same-sex couples, even though sex
is not the means of conception, stress from the
assisted reproductive technology (ART) process alone
may cause problems with intimacy.
SOCIAL IMPACT
In many cultures, infertility is considered a taboo topic.
A person with infertility is separated out from the
society. In closed social groups, a degree of rejection
may cause considerable anxiety and disappointment.

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In an effort to end the shame and secrecy of infertility,
Redbook in October 2011 launched a video campaign,
The Truth About Trying, to start an open conversation
about infertility, which strikes one in eight women in
the United States. In a survey of couples having
difficulty conceiving, conducted by the pharmaceutical
company Merck, 61 percent of respondents hid their
infertility from family and friends. Nearly half didn't
even tell their mothers. The message of those speaking
out: ‘It's not always easy to get pregnant, and there's
no shame in that.’
According to FLMA, infertility is classified as a form a
disability.

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Symptoms
The main symptom of infertility in female is the
inability to get pregnant. A menstrual cycle that's too
long (35 days or more), too short (less than 21 days),
irregular or absent can mean that you're not ovulating.
Bloating, constipation, dark urine, diarrhoea, nausea,
abdominal pain, vomiting.There might be no other
signs or symptoms.

The main sign of male infertility is the inability to

conceive a child. There may be no other obvious signs
or symptoms.

In some cases, however, an underlying problem such

as an inherited disorder, hormonal imbalance, dilated
veins around the testicle or a condition that blocks the
passage of sperm causes signs and symptoms. Signs
and symptoms you may notice include:

 Problems with sexual function — for example,

difficulty with ejaculation or small volumes of
fluid ejaculated, reduced sexual desire, or
difficulty maintaining an erection (erectile
dysfunction)
 Pain, swelling or a lump in the testicle area
 Recurrent respiratory infections
 Inability to smell
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  Decreased facial or body hair or other signs of a
chromosomal or hormonal abnormality
 A lower-than-normal sperm count (fewer than 15
million sperm per millilitre of semen or a total
sperm count of less than 39 million per ejaculate)

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 Objective

To investigate and address the causes and

potential solutions of infertility , with the
aim of improving the understanding ,
diagnosis , and treatment for infertility
and ultimately helping individuals and
couples achieve successful pregnancies .
by assessing the individuals reported
symptoms , reviewing the individuals
condition and prescribed methods to
withcome infertility .

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 Materials required

 Data sheets or forms for recording

observations and measurements .
 Laboratory notebooks for
documenting and results .
 Statistical software for data analysis .
 Biology textbooks and journals .
 Scientific articles and research papers .
 online databases and resources .

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 procedure
 Conduct a comprehensive review of existing
literature and research on infertility, including its
causes, risk factors, and associated medical
conditions.
 Analyze available data on infertility rates, trends, and
demographics to identify patterns and potential
areas of focus.
 Identify gaps in current knowledge and areas where
further research is needed.
 Investigate the various causes of infertility, such as
hormonal imbalances, structural abnormalities,
genetic factors, infections, lifestyle choices, and
environmental factors.
 Explore the impact of age, obesity, smoking, alcohol
consumption, and other lifestyle factors on fertility.
 Examine the potential role of psychological factors,
stress, and emotional well-being in infertility.
 Review and evaluate the existing diagnostic tools
and techniques used to assess infertility, including
medical history evaluation, physical examinations,
hormone testing, imaging studies, and genetic
testing.

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 Identify innovative and emerging diagnostic
approaches that could enhance accuracy, efficiency,
and accessibility in diagnosing infertility.
 Investigate the potential of artificial intelligence (AI)
and machine learning algorithms to assist in
diagnosing infertility and predicting treatment
outcomes.
 Explore and evaluate the various treatment options
available for infertility, such as medication, assisted
reproductive technologies (ART), surgical
interventions, lifestyle modifications, and
complementary and alternative therapies.
 Investigate the success rates, risks, and ethical
considerations associated with different treatment
modalities.
 Identify potential advancements in infertility
treatments, including regenerative medicine, gene
therapy, and innovative techniques in ART.
 Identify strategies to provide comprehensive support
and counseling services to individuals and couples
facing infertility, including addressing mental health
needs and coping mechanisms.
 Evaluate the effectiveness of support groups, online
communities, and educational resources in
improving the overall well-being of individuals and
couples dealing with infertility
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 Observations:
According to AIIMS, about 10-15 per cent of couples in
India are said to have fertility issues.

Kaberi Banerjee, medical director of the Delhi-based

Advance Fertility and Gynaecology Centre, said
infertility has been at around the 10 per cent mark for
a long time. “But in our practice, we are seeing that
perhaps it is increasing to 20 per cent of couples in the
reproductive age group,” she said.

Infertility affects up to 15% of reproductive-aged

couples worldwide. According to World Health
Organization estimate the overall prevalence of
primary infertility in India is between 3.9 to 16.8%. In
Indian states prevalence of infertility varies from state
to state such as 3.7 per cent in Uttar Pradesh, Himachal
Pradesh and Maharashtra, to 5 per cent in Andhra
Pradesh, and 15 per cent in Kashmir and prevalence
varies in same region across tribes and caste.

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 result

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Treatment
Treatment will depend on many factors including the
age of the person who wishes to conceive, how long
the disorder has lasted, personal preferences, general
state of health etc.
The most common treatment is to have frequent
sexual intercourse, especially during ovulation- 10th-
14th day in the menstrual cycle.

TREATMENT FOR MEN

 Varicocele: Surgically removing the varicose vein in
the scrotum.
 Medication
 Behavioural changes
 Retrograde ejaculation
 Surgery for epididymal blockage

TREATMENT FOR WOMEN

 Clomiphene: This encourages ovulation
 Metformin: If clomiphene is not effective then this
can help to increase ovulation.
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  Human menopause gonadotropin(hMG):
Patients who do not ovulate regularly of a fault
in the pituitary gland may receive this drug as an
injection.

 FSH (Follicle stimulating hormone): It stimulates

the ovaries to stimulate mature egg follicle.
 Surgery to remove the blockage in the fallopian
tube.

ASSISTED REPRODUCTIVE
TECHNOLOGY
o IVF (In vitro fertilisation)
The sperm and the ovum are collection from
the parent or a healthy donor and the fertilisation
is made to occur in a test tube, later the zygote is
transferred in the uterus. Also know as test tube
baby.
o IVF (In vivo fertilisation)
Embryos are formed when the fusion of the
gametes takes place within the female body.
o ZIFT (Zygote inter fallopian transfer)

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 When the zygote formed in the test tube is
more than 8-celled stage it is placed directly into
the lining of the uterus.
o GIFT (Gamete inter fallopian transfer)
The ovum collected is transferred to the
fallopian tube of another female.
o ICSI (Intra cytoplasmic sperm injection)
In this, a single sperm is carefully injected into
the egg using a micro injection needle.
o IUI (intrauterine insemination)
At the time of ovulation, a fine catheter is
inserted through the cervix into the uterus to
place a sperm directly into the uterus.

TREATMENT IN MY CITY
1) Aakash fertility centre
Services provided:
 Erectile dysfunction shockwave therapy.
 Therapeutic angioneurosis using shock wave
therapy.
 Psychologist to provide emotional support.
2) Garbhagudi IVF centre

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 Services provided:
 IVF treatment
 Semen analysis
 Test tube baby facility
 Sperm donation
3) Kauvery hospital
Services provided:
 Artificial insemination
 Semen analysis
 Follicular scan
 Psychological support

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 Conclusion

Infertility is often not seen (by the West) as being an

issue outside industrialized country. This is because of
assumptions about overpopulation problems and
hyper fertility in developing countries, and a perceived
need for them to decrease their populations and birth
rates. The lack of health care and high rates of life-
threatening illness (such as HIV/AIDS) in developing
countries, such as those in Africa, are supporting
reasons for the inadequate supply of fertility treatment
options. Fertility treatments, even simple ones such as
treatment for STIs that cause infertility, are therefore
not usually made available to individuals in these
countries.
Despite this, infertility has profound effects on
individuals in developing countries, as the production
of children is often highly socially valued and is vital for
social security and health networks as well as for family
income generation. Infertility in these societies often
leads to social stigmatization and abandonment
byspouses. Infertility is, in fact, common in sub-
Saharan Africa. Unlike in the West, secondary infertility

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is more common than primary infertility, being most
often the result of untreated STIs or complications
frompregnancy/birth.
Due to the assumptions surrounding issues of hyper-
fertility in developing countries, ethical controversy
surrounds the idea of whether or not access to assisted
reproductive technologies should comprise a critical
aspect of reproductive health or at least, whether or
not the distribution and access of such technologies
should be subject to greater equity. However, as
highlighted by Inhorn the overarching
conceptualization of infertility, to a great extent,
disguises important distinctions that can be made
within a local context, both demographically
andepidemiological and moreover, that these factors
arehighly significant in the ethics of reproduction.
High costs may also be a factor and research by the
Genk Institute for Fertility Technology, in Belgium,
claimed a much lower cost methodology (about 90%
reduction) with similar efficacy, which may be suitable
for some fertility treatment. At the 1994 United
Nations International Conference on Population and
Development (ICPD) in Cairo, the prevention and
treatment of infertility was accepted into the program
of action for reproductive healthcare. Infertility has

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shown to have a greater effect on developing nations
than on birth rates or population control, but also on a
social level as well.
Reproduction is a large aspect of life for many
cultureswithin developing nations, and infertility can
lead tosocial and familial problems such as rejection or
abandonment as well as personal psychological
issues.Currently, fertility treatment options and
programs areonly available through private health
sectors indeveloping nations and little-to-no treatment
is available through public health sectors. The fertility
treatmentoptions offered through the private sectors
are often costlyor not easily accessible. Additionally,
counselling isconsidered an essential aspect of fertility
treatment, anddue to lack of education and resources
such forms oftherapy remain scarce as well. The lack of
fertilitytreatment is problematic, and high birth and
populationrates are every reason to implement
treatment optionsrather than reject them.

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 Precautions

1. Handle data responsibly: Keep data safe

and dispose of it properly when the study is
finish Get permission: Make sure all
participants agree to take part and Understand
what the study involves.
2.Be fair in reporting: Present the findings
Truthfully and without exaggeration, including
both positive and negative outcomes.
3.Avoid generalizations: Remember that each
case is unique, so don’t assume the findings
apply to everyone.
4.Stay updated: Keep learning about new
research and best practices in infertility to make
sure the study is up to date.

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 Bibliography

www.Who.int
https://theprint.in/health/is-infertility-rising-in-
india-probably-but-doctors-cant-be-sure-due-to-
lack-of-good-data/610185/
https://www.nhp.gov.in/disease/reproductive-
system/infertility
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/
165748
Class 12 ncert biology text book
www.mayoclinic.org
Information from the respective hospitals.

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