Human reproductive biology is a branch of biology that focuses on the processes, structures, and mechanisms that enable humans to reproduce.
In human reproductive biology, the study of the male reproductive system and the female reproductive system, as well as the processes that enable the creation of new life, is addressed.
Within this discipline, various areas are involved, such as the anatomy and physiology of the reproductive organs, genetics, endocrinology, and assisted reproductive technologies.
Beyond human reproduction itself, issues related to infertility, contraception, and sexually transmitted diseases are also addressed.
Fertility clinic
Today, many people face difficulties conceiving naturally due to multiple factors such as age, hormonal imbalances, or medical conditions, to name a few examples.
As a measure to address this situation, fertility clinics serve as specialized centers that offer care and treatment to individuals or couples who wish to have children but have experienced difficulty conceiving.
Different services are offered at a fertility clinic, depending on each couple’s specific situation and the cause of infertility.
- Fertility evaluation: the reproductive capacity of the couple is assessed, which helps determine sperm quality and quantity in the man, as well as ovarian reserve or uterine health in the woman.
- Medical treatments: based on the diagnosis obtained, various medical treatments may be offered to help the couple conceive; options include ovulation stimulation, hormone therapy, or even surgery in some cases.
- Assisted reproductive technology: when the couple cannot conceive through natural methods, this tool becomes an option.
- Emotional support: beyond providing options aimed at achieving conception, fertility clinics also offer emotional support to couples who are going through stressful and emotional processes.
What is reproduction
Human reproduction is the process by which offspring are created; from a biological standpoint, it is classified into two main types:
- Sexual reproduction: this is the primary mechanism and involves the combination of genetic material from a man and a woman. Although this process can be difficult for some people, there are procedures that help make it possible.
- Assisted reproduction: there are multiple techniques or procedures designed to help couples conceive.
What is fertilization
The term fertilization refers to the process in which a sperm cell joins with an egg to form a zygote that will eventually develop into a fetus and, over time, into a baby.
Within human reproductive biology, there are different types of fertilization.
- Internal fertilization: the union of the egg and sperm occurs inside the woman’s body and is the normal process in sexual reproduction.
- Assisted fertilization: used when internal fertilization is not possible or has not been successful. These options include:
- In vitro fertilization: the egg is extracted from the woman and fertilized with sperm in a laboratory; once viable embryos are formed, they are implanted in the woman’s uterus.
- Artificial insemination: the semen from the husband or a donor is directly introduced into the woman’s uterus during the ovulation period, avoiding sexual intercourse.
- Intracytoplasmic sperm injection: a single sperm is injected directly into an egg, facilitating fertilization; this method is frequently used in cases of severe male infertility.
- Gamete intrafallopian transfer: both the eggs and the sperm are placed together into one of the fallopian tubes, allowing fertilization to occur naturally inside the woman’s body.
Specialists in human reproductive biology help people who have not been able to conceive naturally, addressing the different types of complications this may involve, such as female infertility or male infertility.
Human reproductive biologist near me
At the Women’s Center of ABC Medical Center, we have a team of highly trained specialists in human reproductive biology dedicated to providing comprehensive, personalized care for all your fertility needs.
Our human reproductive biologists in CDMX are committed to your well-being and use the latest technology and most advanced treatments to manage conditions such as female infertility, male infertility, conception problems, and more.
Fuentes:
IMSS, MedlinePlus, Cigna
