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=Female Reproductive System & Menopause - Wikipost #3=

Menopause is defined as the seizing of menstruation. Menopause often begins to occur in women age 40-55, at this time the body goes through several changes, which disable the body to carry a baby. Understanding the female reproductive system can help in an understanding of why the body becomes unable to bear a child.

**Symptoms of Menopause:**

-Mood swings
=What exactly is menopause?= ====It is only classified as menopause when menstruation has been absent for more than 12 months. At this time, the functions of the ovaries ceases. The ovaries are a pair of reproductive glands in the female reproductive system (See picture above).The ovaries are a very important part of the female body as they release hormones that regulate and develop the body. Breasts, body shape, and hair all are effected by the hormones released from the ovaries.These hormones also regulate menstruation and pregnancy. Therefore, as the ovaries begin to shut down women tend to see a loss of hair, bagginess of the breasts and a loss of muscle mass particularly in the abdomen. This is the body's way of insuring that it will not be relied upon to support a baby when the heath of the women is not up to par, due to age.====

As earlier stated, menopause stops the body from being able to bear a child. This is due to the deterioration of ovaries, and a loosening and thinning of the cervix, and uterus. Let's take a look at the female anatomy to further understand menopauses affect on child bearing. Below are some definitions of female reproductive parts.


 * Vagina: ** The vagina is a canal that joins the cervix (the lower part of uterus) to the outside of the body. It also is known as the birth canal.
 * Uterus (womb): **The uterus is a hollow, pear-shaped organ that is the home to a developing fetus. The uterus is divided into two parts: the cervix, which is the lower part that opens into the vagina, and the main body of the uterus, called the corpus. The corpus can easily expand to hold a developing baby. A channel through the cervix allows sperm to enter and menstrual blood to exit.
 * Ovaries: ** The ovaries are small, oval-shaped glands that are located on either side of the uterus. The ovaries produce eggs and hormones.
 * Fallopian tubes: ** These are narrow tubes that are attached to the upper part of the uterus and serve as tunnels for the ova (egg cells) to travel from the ovaries to the uterus. Conception, the fertilization of an egg by a sperm, normally occurs in the fallopian tubes. The fertilized egg then moves to the uterus, where it implants to the uterine wall.


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====Foremost, in the absence of menstruation the uterine lining does not get shed. In non-menopausal women this is the body preparing for pregnancy, even if that is not the woman's intent. the lining is shed to create a more inhabitable uterus for a fertilized egg, as the uterine walls would be easier to attach to. In menopausal women, the uterus become uninhabitable.====

====In the ovaries, the release of an egg into the fallopian tubes stop. Women are said to have 6 -7 million eggs in their body at birth, and menopause is a sign of the beginning of the depletion of the eggs. Ovaries can become very small, and the fallopian tubes can have difficulty grasping an egg to carry it to the uterus.====

====The uterus otherwise known as the womb, where the fetus begins to grow. In healthy women, the uterine lining is shed once monthly followed by a period of ovulation, in menopausal women this entire process begins to stop.====

Due to the fact that menopause can decrease libido, this also decreases the chance of pregnancy.
=IVF (Infertility Vitro Fertilization)=

Despite all the negative effects that menopause has on the body, modern science has found a way around it. This process is known as IVF, Infertility Vitro Fertilization.
media type="youtube" key="2bjyW8B90Uo" width="501" height="285" This is a method which bypasses the need for healthy ovaries, and fallopian tubes. The egg is fertilized with sperm

====outside of the body in a laboratory. The embryo is then introduced to the uterus lining and given a sturdy place to take hold. This is a very common method for individuals seeking children after menopause, as well as for women whom are otherwise unsuccessful with becoming pregnant.====

References:
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Helpful Links:
[] (Menopause symptoms) [] (IVF)

Photos:
[] (Female System) [] (Menopause) [] (Common Symptoms)

=**Genetic Modification - Wikipost #1**= ====**Genetic modification** can also be referred to as **'Genetic Engineering'**, meaning the manipulation, or alteration of genetic material to correct defects or improve the quality of the DNA. Genetic modification is a process by which humans may alter genetic codes to create a better or improved version of the original gene. It is thought that human manipulation of genes may be the answer to repopulating, or even reviving extinct or endangered animals.====

[[image:imagesCAHL2783.jpg caption="Endangered Siberan Tiger"]]
Since Circa 9740 BCE animals have began becoming extinct. Extinction happens when an animal cannot adapt to its changing climate, or environment. Human efforts to capture and reproduce and repopulate endangered species simply do not make enough of an impact to repopulate the earth with enough for them to properly sustain themselves. There is a new proposal for the problem of extinction, transgenesis. **Transgenesis** is the process by with humans take a gene from one organism and implant it into another to make it genetically more equip.

Organisms that have been genetically modified are sometimes referred to as '**GMO**' meaning **'Genetically Modified Organism'.**

The three methods of **Transgenesis** are:
 * DNA microinjection,
 * Embryonic stem cell-mediated gene transfer
 * Retrovirus-mediated gene transfer

[[image:smithlhhsb122/bio microinjection.jpg width="274" height="164" align="left" caption="Microinjecton "]]
====DNA Microinjection is the most applicable to many different types of animals, however it lacks accuracy because the site of injection is random, and the probability of the host accepting the gene and developing its characteristics are slim.====

Embryonic Stem Cell-Mediated Gene Transfer
This method involves insertion of the desired DNA sequence into a stem cell. Stem Cells are used because they have the potential to develop into any cell within an organism, therefor suiting the process quite well.

These cells are then incorporated into an embryo at the blastocyst stage of development. The result is a chimeric animal. ES cell-mediated gene transfer is the method of choice for gene inactivation, the so-called knock-out method. (Marie Buy, Editorial Assistant, Canadian Council on Animal Care)

**Definitions:**
====**Blastocyst:** A thin-walled hollow structure in early embryonic development that contains a cluster of cells called the inner cell mass from which the embryo arises. The outer layer of cells gives rise to the placenta and other supporting tissues needed for fetal development within the uterus while the inner cell mass cells gives rise to the tissues of the body.====

Retrovirus-Mediated Gene Transfer
To increase the probability of expression, gene transfer is mediated by means of a carrier or vector, generally a virus or a plasmid. Retroviruses are commonly used as vectors to transfer genetic material into the cell, taking advantage of their ability to infect host cells in this way. Offspring derived from this method are chimeric, i.e., not all cells carry the retrovirus. Transmission of the transgene is possible only if the retrovirus integrates into some of the germ cells.

(Marie Buy, Editorial Assistant, Canadian Council on Animal Care)

=media type="custom" key="24076722" align="left"=

**Note:** Pay specific attention to HOW they plan to sequence the Woolly Mammoth genome!
It has now become a very realistic possibility that animals will be genetically modified to adapt to changing climates, and dwindling natural habitats! Human manipulation of pre-existing creatures has stirred some debates over who's job it is to "play God", and of course animal activists have something to say about the testing on laboratory mice, and other animals.

For more debates, information and videos on GMO's and the food you eat that is already genetically modified click the links below!

[|GMO Myths and Turth]

[|Genetically Modified Corn Causes Tumors?]

[|GMO Animals]

[|GM Babies Discussion] Genetic Modification will continue to be an area of discovery, although discoveries are sometimes odd, mutant and seemingly inhuman, the word normal as we know it may be forever altered, just as our genes.

=References:=
 * [] (Transgenesis)
 * [] (Genetic Modification Definition)
 * [] (Transgenesis)
 * [] (Genetic Modification)

Photos:

 * [|https://www.google.ca/search?hl=en&gs_rn=28&gs_ri=psy-ab&cp=7&gs_id=3&xhr=t&q=retrovirus&qscrl=1&rlz=1T4TSCA_enCA488CA488&bav=on.2,or.r_qf.&bvm=bv.53899372,d.dmg&ion=1&biw=1301&bih=610&dpr=1&um=1&ie=UTF-8&tbm=isch&source=og&sa=N&tab=wi&ei=oy1YUvfMDfCg4AOW8IDoAw#facrc=_&imgdii=_&imgrc=K2GXBszVDLh9CM%3A%3BlDj6EEZT5sTPvM%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Ffc09.deviantart.net%252Ffs34%252Ff%252F2008%252F301%252F4%252F8%252FRetrovirus_by_Velica.jpg%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fvelica.deviantart.com%252Fart%252FRetrovirus-101941516%3B1000%3B500] (Retro Virus)
 * [|https://www.google.ca/search?q=microinjection&safe=active&rlz=1T4TSCA_enCA488CA488&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=PjBYUsa9JfTJ4APX4YGQAg&ved=0CAkQ_AUoAQ&biw=1301&bih=610&dpr=1#facrc=_&imgdii=_&imgrc=llyuWdlqjwlvZM%3A%3BfP4XL3LraRtxIM%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Ftools.ndm.ox.ac.uk%252Fpinfox3%252Fimporters%252Fpinfox%252Fpinfox3%252Fimages%252Fben-davies-fig3_fit_900x600.jpg%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.well.ox.ac.uk%252Fben-davies%3B900%3B549] (Microinjection)
 * [|https://www.google.ca/search?q=endangered+species&hl=en&qscrl=1&rlz=1T4TSCA_enCA488CA488&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=kDBYUsj4GvKu4AOk0YCoBg&ved=0CAcQ_AUoAQ&biw=1301&bih=610&dpr=1#facrc=_&imgdii=_&imgrc=asF7fnTw68mPhM%3A%3BieLwQYtuBVj2lM%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.cepazahar.org%252Frecursos%252Ffile.php%252F57%252FProyectos1%252FAmazing_Animals_Laura_Meseguer%252F250px-Siberischer_tiger_de_edit02.jpg%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.cepazahar.org%252Frecursos%252Ffile.php%252F57%252FProyectos1%252FAmazing_Animals_Laura_Meseguer%252F14_endangered_species.html%3B250%3B188] (Tiger)
 * [|https://www.google.ca/search?q=stem+cell&hl=en&qscrl=1&rlz=1T4TSCA_enCA488CA488&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=wDxYUpykLva14AOg_IHQDA&ved=0CAcQ_AUoAQ&biw=1301&bih=610&dpr=1#facrc=_&imgdii=_&imgrc=J78jaJCkte4gnM%3A%3BuzPglrVOihRl_M%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fi.telegraph.co.uk%252Fmultimedia%252Farchive%252F01742%252Fstem-cell-research_1742102c.jpg%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.telegraph.co.uk%252Fhealth%252F8072484%252FStem-cell-research-a-new-age-dawns-in-healthcare.html%3B460%3B288] (Stem Cell)