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Related Concept Videos

In Vitro Fertilization01:24

In Vitro Fertilization

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In vitro fertilization (IVF) is a form of assisted reproductive technology where an egg is fertilized with sperm in a controlled laboratory environment before transferring the resulting embryo into the uterus. This process is designed to help individuals and couples experiencing difficulties conceiving.
The IVF process begins with ovarian stimulation, during which reproductive endocrinologists prescribe hormonal medications to stimulate the ovaries to produce multiple eggs instead of the single...
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Evolutionary Psychology01:20

Evolutionary Psychology

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Evolutionary psychology explores the origins of human behavior and mental processes by framing them within the context of natural selection, a theory famously propounded by Charles Darwin. This field asserts that many behaviors common across human societies — ranging from instinctive fear reactions to complex social interactions — arose as evolutionary adaptations. These adaptations enhanced the survival and reproductive success of our ancestors, thereby becoming embedded in the...
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Fertilization01:38

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During fertilization, an egg and sperm cell fuse to create a new diploid structure. In humans, the process occurs once the egg has been released from the ovary, and travels into the fallopian tubes. The process requires several key steps: 1) sperm present in the genital tract must locate the egg; 2) once there, sperm need to release enzymes to help them burrow through the protective zona pellucida of the egg; and 3) the membranes of a single sperm cell and egg must fuse, with the sperm...
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Infertility in Females01:28

Infertility in Females

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Female infertility is defined as the inability to conceive after a year of regular, unprotected intercourse and affects about 10–15% of couples worldwide. The primary cause of female infertility is ovulatory disorders, which hinder the release of eggs. These disorders can be classified as hypothalamic amenorrhea, polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), premature ovarian failure, and hyperprolactinemic anovulation disorders.
Endometriosis, a condition characterized by abnormal growth of...
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Infertility in Males01:23

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Male infertility affects millions of couples worldwide, arising from various factors that impact different stages of the reproductive process. An endocrine imbalance resulting from conditions like hypogonadism, Klinefelter syndrome, or pituitary disorders can disrupt hormone levels and reduce sperm production. Testicular defects, such as tumors, cryptorchidism, atrophic testes, abnormal sperm morphology, and low sperm count or motility, may arise due to genetic factors, structural...
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Synteny and Evolution02:31

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John H. Renwick first coined the term “synteny” in 1971, which refers to the genes present on the same chromosomes, even if they are not genetically linked. The species with common ancestry tend to show conserved syntenic regions. Therefore, the concept of synteny is nowadays used to describe the evolutionary relationship between species.
Around 80 million years ago, the human and mice lineages diverged from the common ancestor. During the course of evolution, the ancestral...
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Using Mouse Oocytes to Assess Human Gene Function During Meiosis I
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IVF and human evolution.

Hans Ivar Hanevik1,2, Dag O Hessen3,4

  • 1Telemark Hospital Trust, Fertilitetsavdelingen Soer, Porsgrunn, Norway.

Human Reproduction Update
|March 31, 2022
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

In vitro fertilization (IVF) alters natural selection pressures on human reproduction, favoring different traits in sperm and enabling cultural practices like delayed childbearing, potentially impacting future human evolution.

Keywords:
DarwinIVFadaptationassisted reproductioncultural evolutionevolutionhumanlife historyphenotypesexual selection

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Area of Science:

  • Evolutionary biology
  • Reproductive medicine
  • Human genetics

Background:

  • Natural selection shapes all species, with reproduction being a critical stage for competition.
  • Human reproduction, while central to evolution, is often inefficient, leading to the development of assisted reproductive technologies like in vitro fertilization (IVF).
  • The increasing use of IVF globally signifies a shift in reproductive practices and potential evolutionary influences.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To systematically compare the selection pressures exerted by IVF versus natural conception (coitus) on reproductive cells, individuals, and populations.
  • To explore how IVF interacts with biological and cultural traits, influencing reproductive fitness and potentially driving demand for IVF.
  • To examine the broad, long-term evolutionary implications of IVF on the human species.

Main Methods:

  • Comparative analysis of selection pressures at cellular, individual, and population levels between IVF and coitus.
  • Review of existing literature on IVF, human evolution, and reproductive strategies.
  • Discussion of the interplay between biological and cultural factors in the context of IVF adoption.

Main Results:

  • IVF imposes different selection pressures on spermatozoa compared to coitus, favoring rapid short-distance swimmers over long-distance mobile sperm.
  • IVF enhances reproductive fitness for individuals with reduced natural fertility, such as males with low sperm quality or females delaying childbirth.
  • IVF facilitates cultural practices like delayed reproduction, which can interact with biological traits to influence evolutionary trajectories.

Conclusions:

  • IVF represents a significant medical advancement that modifies human reproductive barriers and selection pressures.
  • The technology enables a redirection of resources away from traditional reproductive processes, potentially leading to a human species more adapted to technological reproduction.
  • While empirical data on IVF's evolutionary effects are sparse, the technology is setting a new evolutionary stage for humanity.