How to Optimize Fertility in Both Males & Females | Episode 109
Main Takeaways
Fertility and fertilization require the production of offspring containing equal genetic contributions from both parents.
Sperm and egg cells are part of the germline, meaning that their genetic component cannot be modified by behavior.
Female eggs contain all 23 pairs of chromosomes and are present at birth, while males have an XY chromosome pair and females have an XX chromosome pair.
The ovulatory and menstrual cycles eliminate half of the pairs of chromosomes in females, allowing for the possibility of fertilization with sperm.
Puberty in females is happening earlier, possibly due to an increase in body fat and changes in behavior and psychosocial interactions.
The ovulatory-menstrual cycle is initiated in the brain by the release of GnRH, which signals to the anterior pituitary to release LH and FSH, triggering the maturation of follicles and the release of an egg.
The follicular phase is the first 14 days of the menstrual cycle, where follicles mature and one egg is released.
The luteal phase is the second half of the cycle and is marked by a dramatic increase in progesterone, which prepares the uterus for implantation if the egg is fertilized.
Sperm carry the father's genetic material in the form of 23 chromosomes and one sex chromosome, and are swimming cells that require a cooler environment than the rest of the body to survive.
Spermatogenesis is the process of generating new sperm, takes about 60 days, and requires a target of hormones (GnRH, FSH, and LH) and a cool enough environment for sperm to mature.
