Reproductive Health and Infertility Practice Test

Extreme obesity disrupts reproductive function by disturbing hormonal balance and the environment of the reproductive tract, which can reduce the chances of successful fertilization. Excess adipose tissue increases estrogen production and contributes to insulin resistance, leading to irregular or absent ovulation in women. It can also alter the cervical mucus and endometrial environment, making it harder for sperm to reach and fertilize the egg and for implantation to occur. In this sense, extreme obesity may interfere with the steps of fertilization, including the penetration of the egg by sperm and the deposition and movement of semen to enable fertilization. The other statements are not accurate: obesity does not always improve fertility, it does have an impact on fertility, and while it often causes ovulatory dysfunction, it does not universally prevent ovulation.