Transcript Diagnostic Techniques Amniocentesis•Performed during highrisk pregnancies (those at risk for birth defects) •Using ultrasound as a guide, a small, thin needle is inserted into the uterus through.

Diagnostic
Techniques
Amniocentesis•Performed during highrisk pregnancies (those at
risk for birth defects)
•Using ultrasound as a
guide, a small, thin needle
is inserted into the uterus
through the abdomen
•A small amount of
amniotic fluid is removed
and analyzed for genetic
abnormalities
Diagnostic
Techniques cont’d.
Karyotype
•After an amniocentesis, the
fetal cells obtained from the
amniotic fluid are grown and
incubated in a laboratory
•Chromosomes in these cells
are then analyzed under a
microscope
•Images are taken so that
chromosomes can be
matched up to determine the
presence or absence of an
abnormality
Diagnostic
Techniques cont’d.
Ultrasound•Ultrasonic waves
bounce off of fetus to
produce an image
•These images are used
to monitor progress of
the developing fetus
such as organ
development and limb
proportions
In vitro fertilization (IVF)
 In vitro is Latin for “in glass”
 This term is used because fertilization takes place in a
Petri dish, not in the oviduct
 Harvesting eggs:
 The female is given injections to stimulate the
production of mature eggs in ovary
 Progress of maturation is monitored via blood tests and
ultrasound
 When mature, eggs are harvested using a fine needle
guided by ultrasound
In vitro cont’d.
 Sperm is collected from the male
 Eggs are inspected along with sperm,




searching for ones that are most likely to
be viable
Sperm and eggs are placed in a Petri dish
to allow for fertilization with the aid of a
nutrient rich solution
The dish is kept in an incubator overnight
and analyzed via microscope for signs of
fertilization
Embryos are inserted into the vagina via
catheter and the woman is instructed to
rest upon arriving home
A pregnancy test is given around two
weeks later and the woman is given
progesterone to help maintain the uterine
lining in preparation for the pregnancy
Benefits & Drawbacks of IVF
Benefits
Drawbacks
 Couples unable to conceive
 Expensive
naturally are now given the
opportunity to do so
 Stressful
 Limited success
 Natural selection?
 Too much control?
Cloning
 Cloning is the creation of a genetically identical
offspring from an organism that typically reproduces
sexually.
 Some early cloning involved that of tadpoles.
 Other, more complex organisms such as sheep, cows
and pigs have since been cloned with varying success