Question

A large number of married couples the world over are childless. It is shocking to know that in India, the female partner is often blamed for the couple being childless.
(a) Why in your opinion is the female partner often blamed for such situations in India? Mention any two values that you as a biology student can promote to check this social evil.
(b) State any two reasons responsible for the cause of infertility.
(c) Suggest a technique that can help the couple to have a child where the problem is with the male partner.

Answer 1

Hint: A new organism is created as a result of fusion of male and female gametes. In human beings, male gametes are ejaculated in the female body. The fertilisation takes place in the female body and the new organism is created inside the female body. In the absence of male gametes, fertilisation cannot take place.

Complete answer:
a) The infertility in case of childless couples can be in both male as well as females. The males which are unable to produce healthy sperms are considered as infertile. The females with the defect in the reproductive system like unable to produce eggs, defects in the uterus etc are unable to produce children. In India due to the lack of education and social unawareness, the females are only considered as the main reason behind infertility. The people can be made aware regarding the medical techniques and causes of infertility could help in overcoming this social issue.

b) Infertility means not able to get pregnant after a year of trying. Subsequent miscarriage and still births is often considered as infertility. The main reason behind the infertility are:
- Insufficient level of hormones in both males and females.
 Problem with the ovulation in females.
Some other causes of infertility in both males and females are stress, excessive weight, thyroid gland problems, drug or alcohol abuse etc.

c) When the problem of infertility is associated with males then the techniques should be implied so as to improve the quality of sperm. Certain sperm disorders like teratozoospermia in which the sperms have abnormal morphology can be treated with the technique called intracytoplasmic sperm injection. Hormone problems can be treated by administering hormones externally. In some cases surgery can help in treating the problems concerned with the vas deferens.

Note: The infertility in males can be treated to great extent. In case the infertility is permanent and is not treatable, the couple can still bear a child by the help of sperm donors or by adoption. IUI (Intrauterine insemination) and IVF (In- vitro fertilisation) are other ways through which the couple can bear a child.