HUMNNTR 2210 Chapter Notes - Chapter 14: Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, Listeriosis, Advanced Maternal Age
26 Nov 2016
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Document Summary
Energy imbalances can adversely affect fertility by altering hormone levels and promoting oxidative damage. Polycystic ovary syndrome, which tends to co-occur with upper-body obesity, is a condition of hormonal imbalance that causes infertility. Other than managing body weight, nutritional factors that may improve male and/or female fertility include low glycemic index carbohydrates, unsaturated fats, antioxidants, folate, iron, and zinc. Pregnancy is arbitrarily divided into three trimesters of 13-14 weeks each. The first trimester is characterized by a rapid increase in cell number as the zygote grows to be an embryo, then a fetus. During the first trimester, the growing organism is most susceptible to damage from exposure to toxic agents or nutrient deficiencies. By the start of the second trimester, the organs and limbs have formed and will continue to grow and develop. The third trimester is marked by rapid fetal growth and storage of nutrients in preparation for life outside the womb.
