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An Infertility Glossary | |
| You can always search for entries (regexp permitted). | ||
| Pages: 1 | ||
| Term | Definition | |
| Andrologist | A physician-scientist who specializes in the study ofmale reproduction and performs laboratory evaluations of male fertility. May hold a Ph.D. degree instead of an M.D. Usually affiliated with a fertility treatment center that performs in vitro fertilization. | |
| Aneuploidy | Refers to a condition in which an abnormal number of chromosomes are found. There may be missing or extra chromosomes present. | |
| Anovulation | A condition in which a woman does not ovulate (produce and release eggs). Menses may still occur. | |
| Assisted Hatching | An embryology laboratory procedure that chemically dissolves, or mechanically disrupts a portion of the “shell” surrounding an embryo in order to improve the likelihood of implantation for some patients | |
| Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ART) | Any procedure that involves removal of eggs from a woman prior to fertilization, such as In Vitro Fertilization. | |
| Azoospermia | The absence of sperm in the seminal fluid, usually caused by a blockage or an impairment of sperm production. | |
| Basal Body Temperature | The body temperature of a woman,immediately upon awakening, before any activity. When the temperature is recorded daily on a graph, a jump in temperature (about 0.5°F) may be evidence of ovulation. A drop in temperature may be evidence of the onset of menses or a miscarriage. The temperature can be taken orally or rectally | |
| Beta hCG Test (BhCG) | A blood test to determine pregnancy, it gives a positive reading if human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) is present. | |
| Blighted Ovum (egg) | A fertilized egg that implants in the uterus, but does not develop further and dies. | |
| Bromocriptine (Parlodel) | An oral medication used to lower the level of the hormone prolactin when it is inappropriately elevated. | |
| Cancelled Cycle | Discontinuation of an ART cycle, usually prompted by poor response to hormone therapy, no egg recovery, or failed fertilization. | |
| Cervical Mucus | Secretions produced by the cervix. The thickness of the mucus varies according to the phase of the menstrual cycle. In the days just before ovulation, the mucus becomes thin and watery and is easily penetrable by sperm. | |
| Cervix | The lower section and opening of the uterus that protrudes into the vagina. Sperm pass through the cervix into the uterus following intercourse. It dilates during labor to allow the passage of the infant. | |
| Clomiphene Citrate (Clomid/Serophene) | A synthetic hormone used to stimulate production of follicle stimulating hormone and lutenizing hormone. Used to treat ovulation disorders. | |
| Congenital | A characteristic or defect present at birth, it may be hereditary (genetic) or acquired during gestation. | |
| Corpus Luteum | Remnant of a follicle after ovulation. It releases progesterone, a hormone that prepares the uterine lining for embryo implantation. | |
| Cryopreservation | A procedure used to preserve (by freezing) and store embryos or sperm. | |
| Cycle | The period of time, about one month, when an infertility treatment is initiated and continuing until the treatment is halted or completed. It begins with the onset of one menstrual period and ends with the onset of the following period. | |
| Ectopic Pregnancy | A pregnancy in which the embryo implants outside the uterine cavity (usually in the fallopian tube, the ovary or the abdominal cavity). May require surgical intervention and/or chemotherapeutic intervention. | |
| Egg Donation | See Oocyte Donation. | |
| Egg Retrieval | See Oocyte Retrieval. | |
| Embryo | The earliest stages of development; the undifferentiated beginnings of a baby, from the point of conception to the eighth week of pregnancy. | |
| Embyologists | Professionals, trained in advanced laboratory techniques, who prepare and provide the necessary conditions for the fertilization of eggs. They also facilitate the growth, development, maturation, and preservation of embryos. | |
| Endometriosis | The presence of endometrial tissue (the uterine lining) in areas outside of the uterus such as the tubes, ovaries, and peritoneal cavity. This condition often causes infertility and painful menstruation. | |
| Endometrium | The tissue lining the uterus. This tissue responds to the cyclic production of ovarian hormones and permits implantation of the placenta during pregnancy. Its upper layers are shed with menstruation. | |
| Epididymis | The elongated organ in the male that lies above and behind the testicles. It contains a highly convoluted canal 4 to 6 meters in length where sperm are stored, nourished, and ripened for several months. | |
| Estradiol Level (E2 Level) | The amount of estradiol, a form of estrogen, in the blood. | |
| Estrogens | A group of female hormones responsible for the development of secondary sexual characteristics during puberty. Estrogen also plays an important role in stimulating the endometrium. Estrogen is produced mainly by the ovaries, from the onset of puberty until menopause | |
| Fallopian Tube | Either of a pair of tubes that conduct eggs from an ovary to the uterus. Natural fertilization takes place as an egg travels through a fallopian tube. | |
| Female Factor Infertility | The condition when a couple’s infertility is attributed to the woman. | |
| Fertilization | Penetration of an egg by a sperm and the fusion of genetic material. | |
| Fetal Reduction | A medical procedure to decrease the number of fetuses in a multiple gestation. | |
| Fetus | The developing baby after the embryo stage, up to the moment of birth. | |
| Fibroid/Myoma | A non-cancerous tumor found within the wall of the uterus and present in one-third of all women. | |
| Follicle | Fluid-filled sac within the ovary that (usually) contains a ripening egg. The follicle can release an egg at ovulation. A physician can retrieve the egg from the follicle during an ART treatment cycle. | |
| Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH) | A hormone that stimulates the ovary to ripen a follicle for ovulation. FSH is produced in the anterior pituitary gland. | |
| Gamete | A sperm or an egg. | |
| Gestation | The period of fetal development in the uterus from conception to birth, usually 40 weeks in humans | |
| GnRH (Gonadotropin Release Hormone) | A hormone that controls the synthesis and release of the pituitary hormones, follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH). GnRH is produced by the hypothalamus. | |
| Gonadotropin | A hormone that can stimulate the testicles to produce sperm and testosterone or the ovaries to produce eggs and estrogen. | |
| Hormonal Assay | Also known as hormone tests. These include tests such as FSH (follicle stimulating hormone), LH (luteinizing hormone), DHEA–S (dehydroepiandresterone), prolactin and progesterone, among others. | |
| Hormone | A chemical substance produced by one organ in the body that regulates the activity of another organ. | |
| Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG) | A hormone secreted by the placenta that preserves the pregnancy by prolonging the life of the corpus luteum and stimulating progesterone production. A pregnancy test is positive when hCG is detected. It can be administered therapeutically (Pregnyl or Profasi) in conjunction with other fertility medications. | |
| Human Menopausal Gonadotropin (hMG) | A natural product containing both human FSH and LH (sold as Repronex or Menopur). It is used to treat both male and female infertility and to stimulate the development of multiple eggs. These hormones are extracted from the urine of postmenopausal women. | |
| Hydrocele | A fluid-filled swelling in the scrotum. | |
| Hysterectomy | The removal of the uterus. A partial subtotal hysterectomy removes the futus (body) of the uterus leaving the cervix. | |
| Hysterosalpingogram | (HSG, Hysterogram, Tubogram) An x-ray procedure used to determine whether the fallopian tubes are open and of normal caliber. The physician injects dye into the uterus through the cervix. The dye passes through the tubes if they are open. An HSG can also reveal information such as the configuration of the uterus, irregularities, and the presence of fibroids. | |
| Hysteroscopy | A surgical procedure in which a telescope-like device is inserted through the cervix to view the inside of the uterus.This procedure is sometimes performed in conjunction with a laparoscopy. | |
| Hysterosonogram | A specialized type of ultrasound used to visualize the uterine cavity. | |
| Idiopathic Infertility | The term used when no reason can be found to explain the cause of a couple’s infertility. | |
| Immunological Response | Condition when either partner produces antibodies, which can cause infertility. | |
| Implantation | The embedding of the fertilized egg (embryo) in the lining of the uterus. | |
| In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) | A procedure in which one or more eggs,each removed from a ripe follicle, is fertilized by a sperm outside the human body. | |
| Infertility | The inability to conceive or to achieve pregnancy over a considerable period of time(typically, after one year for a female who is under age 35 or after six months for a female who is over age 35) despite determined attempts by heterosexual intercourse without the use of contraception. Infertility can be due to male fertility problems as well as female. Includes being unable to carry a pregnancy to term. | |
| Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI) | A laboratory procedure in which a single sperm is directly inserted into an individual egg. | |
| Intrauterine Insemination (IUI) | The introduction of specially prepared sperm directly into the uterus through the cervix. | |
| Laparoscopy | A surgical procedure in which a telescope-like device is inserted through a small inci- sion near the navel to view the pelvic cavity, the ovaries, fallopian tubes, and uterus. | |
| LH Surge | A spontaneous release of large amounts of luteinizing hormone (LH) during a woman’s menstrual cycle. This normally results in the release of a mature egg from a follicle (ovulation). | |
| Lupron | A hormonal medication that can create a pseudo-menopause. A chemical similar to GnRH, it first stimulates the female hormones, then suppresses a woman’s secretion of FSH and LH.Lupron may improve the response to stimulation, as well as preventing premature ovulation, decreasing the risk of a cancelled cycle. It may also be used to treat fibroids or endometriosis. | |
| Lupron "Down Regulation" | A treatment with Lupron that takes advantage of the suppression of natural hormone (LH and FSH) secretions. Used before injection of gonadotropins to stimulate follicular development. | |
| Lupron "Flare" | A treatment with Lupron that takes advantage of the initial rise or “flare”of the woman’s LH and FSH levels. | |
| Luteal Phase | The days of a menstrual cycle following ovulation and ending with menses. (Usually lasting between 12 and 14 days) | |
| Luteinizing Hormone | A hormone that causes the ovary to produce estrogen and to release a mature egg (ovulation). In the male, LH stimulates testosterone production. The anterior pituitary secretes LH. | |
| Male Factor Infertility | The condition when a couple’s infertility is attributed to the man. | |
| Micromanipulation | Procedure in which an egg or an embryo is manipulated under the microscope including ICSI, Assisted Hatching, and embryo biopsy for PGD. | |
| Morphology | See Strict Morphology and Sperm Morphology. | |
| Motility | The percentage of all moving sperm in a semen sample. Normally, 50% or more sperm in a sample move rapidly. | |
| Multiple Gestation or Multiple Pregnancy | The conception of two or more fetuses in the same woman at the same time, whether or not they result in live births. | |
| Mutiple Birth | The birth of two or more off spring produced in the same gestational period. | |
| Myomectomy | The surgical removal of non-cancerous fibroid tumors from the wall of the uterus. | |
| Oligo-Ovulation | Irregular ovulation. | |
| Oligospermia | A condition in which the number of sperm in a semen sample is abnormally low. | |
| Oocye Retrieval | An invasive procedure, usually performed under sedation, to collect the eggs contained within the ovarian follicles.The physician inserts a needle into the follicle, under vaginal ultra-sound guidance and draws out the follicle’s fluid and egg through the needle. | |
| Oocyte | The egg cell produced in the ovaries.Also called the ovum or gamete. | |
| Oocyte Donation | The process in which eggs, removed from the ovaries of one woman, are donated for use by another. | |
| Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome (OHSS) | A possible side effect of medically induced ovulation, characterized by swollen, painful ovaries and, in some cases, the accumulation of fluid in the abdomen and chest. | |
| Ovulation | Release of a mature egg from a follicle at the surface of the ovary. | |
| Ovulation Induction | The therapeutic use of female hormones to stimulate egg development and release. Useful hormones and hormone-based medications include clomiphene citrate, HCG, Gonal-F, Menopur, Follistim, Repronex and Bravelle. | |
| Papanicolaou Smear (Pap Smear) | A screening test to evaluate the cells of the cervix to determine whether they are normal or cancerous. The physician or nurse removes some cells from the cervical canal with a brush or spatula then smears them onto a glass plate or places them in liquid. A pathologist examines the cells under a microscope. | |
| Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) | An inflammatory disease of the pelvis, caused by infection, which can lead to infertility by damaging the tubes. | |
| Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCO, PCOS) | A condition found in women who don’t ovulate regularly, characterized by excessive production of androgens (male sex hormones) and the presence of cysts in the ovaries. Though PCO can be without symptoms, some include obesity, acne, excessive hair growth, irregular menstrual periods, and infertility. | |
| Post-Coital Test (PCT) | Microscopic study of samples of cervical secretions taken several hours after sexual relations, then examined for live, moving sperm. Also known as the Sims-Huhner Test. | |
| Pre-Implantation Genetic Diagnosis (PGD) | The procedure used to detect genetic or chromosomal abnormalities in embryos created during an IVF cycle. This is a delicately precise micro-manipulative procedure, in which embryologists remove either unnecessary DNA from the egg shortly after fertilization (polar body biopsy) or a single cell from a 3-day old embryo (embryo biopsy). Molecular biologists examine the polar body or embryo biopsy for specific genetic anomalies. This may be appropriate if a woman is 35 years of age or older or if the couple carries a genetic abnormality which they do not want to risk transmitting to the fetus. | |
| Premature Ovarian Failure (POF) | The loss ofovarian function associated with high levels of gonadotropins and low levels of estrogen before age 35. The ovary may intermittently produce mature follicles. | |
| Progesterone | The hormone produced by the corpus luteum during the second half of a woman’s cycle. It prepares the lining of the uterus to accept implantation of a fertilized egg. It is released in pulses, so the amount in the bloodstream is not constant. | |
| Prolactin | A hormone produced by the pituitary that plays an important role in preparing the breasts, during pregnancy, for nursing. An inappropriate elevation at times other than pregnancy may interfere with normal ovulation. | |
| Reproductive Endocrinologists (RE) | Physicians trained in obstetrics and gynecology who further specialize in treating infertility with surgical procedures and advanced technologies. | |
| Rubella Titer | A blood test that determines if the patient is immune to rubella (German measles), a viral disease that can cause severe birth defects. If a woman is not immune to rubella, she may be advised to have a rubella vaccination, wait one month before attempting pregnancy, and then retest for immunity. | |
| Secondary infertility | The inability to conceive or carry a pregnancy after having conceived and carried one or more pregnancies. | |
| Semen | The sperm and seminal secretions ejaculated during orgasm. | |
| Semen Analysis | A microscopic examination of freshly ejaculated semen to evaluate the number of sperm (count), the percentage of moving sperm (motility), and the size and shape of the sperm (morphology). | |
| Sperm Morphology | An important component of a complete semen analysis that determines the percentage of sperm cells that have a normal appearance under magnification. The sperm morphology may be evaluated using either World Health Organization (WHO) criteria, or strict criteria. | |
| Sperm Wash | A technique for separating sperm from seminal fluid prior to intrauterine insemination (IUI). | |
| Split Ejaculate | A method of collecting a semen specimen so that the first portion of the ejaculate is caught in one container and the rest in a second container. In most men the first specimen will contain the vast majority ofthe sperm. | |
| Spontaneous Abortion | A miscarriage or the unintended termination of a pregnancy before the twentieth week. | |
| Sterility | The total inability to reproduce. Not to be confused with infertility. | |
| Stimulation | Administration of hormones that induce development of multiple ovarian follicles. | |
| Strict Morphology | Also known as Kruger Morphology. A method used to evaluate the appearance of the individual sperm cells using a very strict set of criteria. A relatively low number of sperm are rated as “normal. ”It is generally considered to be a better predictor of sperm function than traditional WHO sperm morphology. | |
| Surrogate | A woman who becomes pregnant through insemination with the sperm of the husband of an infertile woman (traditional surrogate),or pregnant through the transfer of an embryo to her uterus (gestational surrogate). Following delivery the traditional surrogate turns the child over for adoption by the couple. The child of a gestational surrogate does not go through adoption. | |
| Swim-up Test | A technique that separates motile sperm from non-motile sperm and cellular debris in a semen sample. The most motile sperm will “swim up” and are more easily separated for insemination. | |
| Testicles | The two male sexual glands contained in the scrotum. They produce the male hormone testosterone and produce the male reproductive cells, the sperm. | |
| Testicular Biopsy | A small excision of testicular tissue to determine the ability of the cells to produce normal sperm. | |
| Testosterone | A potent male sex hormone that is produced in the testes, and to a lesser extent, by the ovaries. | |
| Tubal Embryo Transfer (TET) | A surgical procedure in which an embryo(s) is transferred to the fallopian tubes. | |
| Ultrasound | A technique using sound waves to view the follicles in the ovaries or the fetus in the uterus. | |
| Uterus | The muscular organ in the woman that holds and nourishes the fetus until the time of birth, also known as the womb. | |
| Vaginal Ultrasound | Technique used to view the follicles,fetus,and other soft tissues by projecting sound waves through a probe inserted into the vagina. A baseline ultrasound shows the ovaries in their normal state. A follicular ultrasound shows egg follicle maturation.A pregnancy ultrasound shows if a pregnancy is in the uterus or in a fallopian tube (an ectopic pregnancy). Ultrasound pictures can be used to measure growth. | |
| Varicocele | A collection of varicose veins in the scrotum which may be associated with poor sperm quality. | |
| Vitrification | An alternative cryopreservation (freezing) method to traditional cryopreservation. It involves a rapid cooling method that helps to prevent formation of ice crystals that cause damage to the cell. May be used to freeze embryos and oocytes. | |
| Zygote | A fertilized egg or embryo, in the early stages of development. | |
| Definition | ||