A Beginner's Guide to Fertilisation

 

Fertilization is a natural biological process in which male and female gametes fuse to generate a zygote. During coitus, thousands of sperms are inseminated into the female vagina. Although all these sperms travel to the fallopian tube, only a very small percentage make their way there. The fallopian tube is where the eggs are fertilized. The secondary oocyte exits the ovary's mature graafian follicle and enters the fallopian tube, where it is fertilized within 24 hours before being released.

The oocyte is fertilized by a single sperm, although it may be surrounded by many. The sperm enters the secondary oocyte during meiosis-II, which completes the meiosis process. The egg is the name given to the second oocyte after that. Both sperm and eggs have a limited time to exhibit their viability. In the female reproductive system, the sperm may survive for 48-72 hours, whereas an egg can be fertilized for up to 24 hours before being released.

Binding of the egg and sperm can also be done in the lab. This is made possible using Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART), namely the In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) method, and is considered as a viable process of fertilization.

Process of Fertilization

The process of fertilization is divided into three primary stages. Chemotaxis, Acrosomal reaction (sperm activation) and Adhesion of sperm to eggs.

Women ovulate once a month during the menstrual cycle, which plays a key role in conception. When this cycle releases an egg cell from the ovaries, the first step of fertilization begins. When a sperm encounters an oocyte, it binds to the zona pellucida, which is a thick coating of a jelly-like extracellular matrix made up of glycoproteins that surrounds the egg. When a particular molecule on the sperm's surface binds to a ZP3 glycoprotein in the zona pellucida, the acrosome reaction is started. Hyaluronidase is produced by the acrosome process, and it ferments the hyaluronic acid surrounding the egg, allowing the sperm to pass through.

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Following successful sperm implantation, the egg's cortical granules fuse with the cell's plasma membrane and are discharged into the zona pellucida, causing the surface to become stiff and impervious. The cortical response guarantees that just one sperm cell enters the egg and fertilizes it.

Once the sperm has successfully reached the egg, the outer coating and tail of the sperm disintegrate. The oocyte goes through meiosis to become a haploid ovum. The genetic material of sperm and egg, each of which has 23 chromosomes, is merged, resulting in a diploid cell with 46 chromosomes, called as a zygote. The zygote then undergoes mitosis, which is the repeated cellular division essential for an organism's growth, to generate a blastocyst. This is then implanted into the uterine wall, initiating the pregnancy.

If you have more questions about the process of fertilization, you can consult a gynecologist. You can also ask about the IVF method. Even the best pediatricians in Hyderabad say that this method has successfully resulted in healthy babies.

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PMS Symptoms and Remedies

 

It's a common stereotype that women are more emotional than men. While this is not the case, many women do suffer from hormonal imbalances. And if you've ever experienced a bout of extreme emotions during your period, you're definitely not alone.

The problem of premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is very common among women, especially before the menstrual cycle starts and ends. The most prevalent symptoms include anxiety, loss of appetite, cold and headache attacks, and swelling of the feet and hands.

Taking precautionary measures against this illness can help a lot in decreasing its intensity. So, try to avoid stress and lifestyle changes, and get plenty of rest and nutrition. Try out the remedies that are given below too, and get to know some remedies too.

PMS: Signs and Symptoms

The signs and symptoms of PMS can vary from mild to severe depending on your body. For some women, even doing daily tasks can seem close to impossible. The severity of PMS symptoms is greater in the case of the depressed woman. Sometimes, life factors such as smoking, eating high amounts of fatty foods, and lack of physical activity can worsen PMS.

Emotional Symptoms

·     Anxiety and restlessness

·     Unnecessary anger and irritability

·     Appetite changes

·     Losing concentration

·     Rapid shifts in the mood

·     Changes in the sleeping schedule

·     There is no control over crying.

Physical Symptoms

·     Abdominal bloating

·     Cramping

·     Sore and swollen breasts

·     Acne

·     Constipation

·     Diarrhoea

·     Headaches

·     Back and muscle pain

·     Sensitivity to Light

Remedies to Cope With PMS

·     Increase the consumption of calcium carbonate-rich diets. You can get it from calcium supplements, soya milk, almond milk, cereal, cereal bars, and much more.

·     Taking pain relievers is the best solution to alleviate PMS cramps. You can take ibuprofen, aspirin, or naproxen for quick relief from PMS symptoms.

·     Stress can lead to the worsening of PMS symptoms. To reduce it, you can take part in physical activities like yoga and meditation. These can stimulate endorphin secretion, which is known as the natural painkiller for the human body.

·     Women suffering from premenstrual dysphoric syndrome feel a lot of relief from the anti-depressants. Hence, it can be another option when it comes to managing period pain.

Important PMS Management Hints

·     Always choose a balanced diet over consuming anything. Encourage the intake of fruits, vegetables, legumes, and whole grains as well as fatty acids.

·     Exercise regularly because it will not only boost your mood but also take care of your metabolism's functioning properly.

·     Get a sufficient amount of sleep to avoid irritation the next morning.

·     Power up your body with supplements like Vitamin B6, Vitamin D, and magnesium. However, consult your doctor to prevent side effects.

Conclusion

In the end, only you know what treatment works best for your PMS and the reasons for your mood swings. If one doesn't work out well, try another. Do as much research as you can, and don't be afraid to consult with a doctor if you're really struggling.

Sometimes PMS is just something we have to learn to deal with, but that doesn't mean we can't do our best to make it less disruptive. Make sure to try out some reusable period products such as menstrual cups, period panties by Kotex, and much more.

 

5 things to know about the IUI process

 

[Intrauterine Insemination] IUI treatment is opted by a number of people these days. It is a popular fertility treatment where the sperm are directly placed in the uterus of the body. Conceiving through the natural process involves the traveling of the sperms from the penis to the vagina through the cervix, and finally into the uterus. The implantation happens into the fallopian tubes.

In the IUI procedures, the sperms are properly concentrated and placed in the uterus directly. This increased the chances of pregnancy. There are many couples who face difficulties in getting pregnant, so artificial methods can help them easily.

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Who can get benefitted from the IUI procedure?

Intrauterine insemination [IUI] procedure is a non-invasive that increases the chances of pregnancy. It is less expensive compared to other procedures such as IVF. In some specific cases, the doctors recommended the initiation of the process through the IUI and then leading to the IVF. Some of the major cases where IUI is recommended are mentioned below. They are as follows:

• A couple that does not want to pass the genetic defect from the father to the child
• A single parent [women] who wants to get pregnant
• Same-sex couples interested in a child
• Difficulty during the ejaculation or erection
• Decrease in the motility of the sperm
• Low sperm count
• Issues with cervical mucus or the cervix
• A case of mild endometriosis
• A case of unexplained infertility
  

Below are some of the cases mentioned where the chances of pregnancy are less even after the IUI process. They are as follows:

• Men who cannot produce sperm
• Females suffering from the multiple pelvic infections
• Females suffering from severe fallopian tube diseases
• In case both fallopian tubes are removed from the female body
• In case of blockage of the fallopian tubes
• Women suffering from moderate or severe endometriosis
  

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What are the major risk factors involved in the procedure?

The major risk factors involved in the procedure of the IUI are mentioned below. They are as follows:

• Increase in the size of the abdomen
• Severe pain in the abdomen or the pelvis
• Vomiting
• Nausea
• The sudden increase in the weight
• Dizziness or lightheadedness
  

What is the success rate of IUI?

Many factors contribute to the success of the IUI process. They are as follows:

• Accurate age
• Conditions that lead to underlying fertility concerns
• The usage of fertility drugs
• Underlying fertility diagnosis
  

The IUI procedure is less expensive compared to other fertility procedures. It is non-invasive and is opted by many individuals to conceive. So if you are considering this option, then consult a health professional or doctor today to get information about the aspects such as IUI treatment side effects. There are many fertility clinics in Bangalore that can help you.

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