A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z
A
Amenorrhea - The absence of menstruation due to any of a number of potential causes including dietary, emotional, hormonal and extreme exercise.
Anovulation - The absence of ovulation (the release of an egg from the ovary) (What is Ovulation Induction?).
Artificial insemination - The process of placing sperm into the female reproductive tract for the purpose of producing a pregnancy. Placement of sperm into the uterus is known as IUI and placement in the cervix is known as ICI (intra-cervical insemination) (What is Intra-Uterine Insemination?).
A.S.R.M. - American Society for Reproductive Medicine: a professional medical organization of health care professionals interested in reproductive medicine.
Assisted hatching - A type of micromanipulation procedure designed to improve implantation, whereby the embryologist makes an opening on the zona pellucida of an embryo to allow the cleaved embryo to exit its shell prior to implantation (What is Assisted Hatching?).
Assisted Reproductive Technologies (A.R.T.) – All the fertility treatments in which eggs are outside the body. Includes in vitro fertilization (IVF), embryo freezing, intra-cytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), donor eggs, gestational surrogacy, pre-implantation genetic diagnosis (PGD), freeezing of unfertilized eggs, gamete intrafallopian transfer (GIFT) and zygote intrafallopian transfer (ZIFT).
Azoospermia - The absence of sperm in the ejaculate.
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B
Blastocyst – An advanced embryo (generally seen 5-6 days after ovulation) which consists of the cells that will form the fetus (inner cell mass) and the cells which form the placenta.
Biochemical pregnancy - A short-lived pregnancy confirmed by blood test only without ultrasound or tissue evidence.
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C
Cancellation - Ovulation induction cycles for IVF are occasionally cancelled because of a poor response (not enough follicles or low estradiol levels) or hyperstimulation (too many follicles with a high estradiol level).
Capacitation - The alteration of sperm during the passage through the female reproductive tract that gives them the capacity to penetrate and fertilize the ovum.
Catheter- A flexible plastic tube used in many fertility and other medical procedures.
Cervix - The lower section of the uterus which protrudes into the vagina and dilates during labor to allow the passage of the fetus.
Cleaved embryo - A fertilized oocyte which has undergone cellular division.
Clinical pregnancy – A pregnancy confirmed by ultrasound showing gestational sac within the uterus.
Conception - The fertilization of a woman's egg by a man's sperm to form a zygote.
Controlled ovarian stimulation (COS) - Pharmacologic stimulation of the ovaries, generally with gonadotropins and/or clomiphene citrate, to produce simultaneous development of multiple follicles for retrieval of multiple eggs for IVF.
Corpus luteum - A gland arising from the ovulated follicle in the ovary and produces progesterone during the second half of the menstrual cycle and in early pregnancy. Its function is necessary to prepare the uterine lining for embryo implantation.
Cryopreservation (freezing)- Maintaining the viability of cells or tissue by storing at very low temperatures -- used to preserve and store embryos or gametes (sperm or oocytes) (What is Involved in Embryo Freezing?).
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D
Donor Egg - An assisted reproductive technology employing the use of donated egg(s) for an infertile couple or woman. The donor undergoes ovarian stimulation prior to retrieval to increase the number of recovered; eggs are insemination in vitro with the recipient's husband's sperm or sperm from an sperm donor; after fertilization and embryo culture, the embryo(s) is transferred into the endometrial cavity of the recipient or her gestational surrogate(carrier) (What is the Donor Egg Program?).
Dysmenorrhea- Cramping and pain around the time of menstruation.
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E
Ectopic pregnancy - A pregnancy that develops outside of the uterine cavity. Usually these are formed in the fallopian tube.
Elective abortion - A pregnancy ending in an induced abortion using either surgical or medical procedure to terminate the pregnancy.
Embryo (preembryo) - The developing individual from fertilization until 8 weeks.
Embryo transfer - Placement of embryos, following in vitro fertilization (IVF), into the uterine cavity through the cervix or, in rare cases, through the uterine muscle. In ZIFT procedure embryos are placed into the fallopian tubes.
Endometriosis - A disease in which normal endometrial tissue (the lining of the uterus) grows outside of the uterus, e.g. on the ovary or abdominal surface.
Endometrium - The inner layer of the uterine wall that contains tubular uterine glands; the structure, thickness, and state of the endometrium undergo marked change with the menstrual cycle and are key to successful implantation.
Estrogens - Female hormones the most potent form of which, estradiol, is produced exclusively by the growing follicle from puberty to menopause. Estradiol thickens the uterine lining (endometrium) during the first half of the menstrual cycle in preparation for implantation and pregnancy.
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F
Fallopian tubes - Pair of tubes attached to the uterus where sperm and egg meet in normal conception. The tubes bring the fertilized ovum into the uterine cavity.
Fertilization - The penetration of the egg by the sperm and fusion of genetic materials to result in the development of an embryo.
Fetus - The developing baby from the ninth week of pregnancy until birth.
Fimbriae- The fringed and finger-like outer ends of the fallopian tubes which pick up the egg when it’s released from the ovarian follicle..
Flare protocol – Type of controlled ovarian hyperstimulation regimen using micro-doses of a GnRH agonist, such as leuprolide, starting with or shortly after the onset of menses in order to augment gonadotropin use.
Follicle - The fluid-filled sac in the ovary that contains the ripening egg from which the egg is released during ovulation or aspirated during retrieval.
Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) - A hormone produced and released from the pituitary gland that stimulates the ovary to ripen a follicle for ovulation.
Frozen embryo transfer (FET) - The replacement of thawed cryo-preserved embryo into the uterus to establish a pregnancy (Frozen Embryo Transfer).
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G
Gamete - The male and female reproductive cells - the sperm (spermatozoon) and the egg (ovum).
Gestational carrier/ surrogate - A woman who carries a pregnancy for another couple without providing the egg for the pregnancy. Gestational carrier is not genetically related to the offspring (What is Surrogacy?).
Gestational sac - A fluid-filled structure surrounding an embryo that develops within the uterine cavity early in pregnancy.
GnRH (Gonadotropin releasing hormone) - Hormone secreted by the hypothalamus that prompts the pituitary gland to release follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) into the bloodstream.
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H
Hirsutism - The growth of excessive bodily and facial hair in women, in a male pattern, as a result of androgen (male hormone) excess.
HCG (Human chorionic gonadotropin ) - A hormone produced by the placenta during pregnancy; its detection is the basis for most pregnancy tests. Also used during ovulation induction to trigger the final phase of egg maturation and ovulation.
HMG (Human menopausal gonadotropins) - An ovulation drug, containing follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH), derived from the urine of postmenopausal women, e.g., Menopur and Pergonal.
Hypothalamus - A thumb-sized area in the base of the brain that controls many body functions and regulates the pituitary gland through release of GnRH hormone among others.
HSG (Hysterosalpingogram) - An x-ray procedure in which a radio-opaque fluid is injected into the uterus to outline its inner contour and flows out into the fallopian tubes to show their course, caliber and patency (degree of openness). HSG is part of the basic evaluation for infertility.
Hydrosalpinx - A dilated and distally occluded tube which lacks fimbriae and which interferes with implantation of the embryo (What is a Hydrosalpinx?; Hydrosalpinx, Tubal Infertility, IVF and Surgery).
Hyperstimulation – A reaction to the more powerful fertility medications caused by excessive stimulation of the ovaries. It causes the ovaries to enlarge and create and overabundance of eggs.
Hysteroscopy – Minor surgery which allows direct inspection of the cervical canal and uterine cavity through a telescope containing a lens and light fibers (hysteroscope). Diagnostic hysteroscopy is done for evaluation whereas operative hysteroscopy, using a larger hysteroscope, permits correction of intrauterine abnormalities such as a submucous fibroid, an endometrial polyp or a uterine septum (Surgery).
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I
Implantation - The embedding of the fertilized egg in the endometrium of the uterus.
Infertility - The inability of a couple to achieve a live birth after one year of unprotected sexual intercourse, or the inability of the woman to carry a pregnancy to live birth. Primary infertility indicates that the patient has never achieved a pregnancy, whereas secondary infertility denotes that a previous pregnancy was achieved, regardless of outcome.
Insemination - The installation of semen into a woman's cervix (ICI) or uterus (IUI) for the purpose of conception (What is Intra-Uterine Insemination?).
ICSI (Intracytoplasmic sperm injection) – A laboratory technique during which direct injection of a single sperm into the egg is accomplished with a sharp glass tool while utilizing a powerful microscope for control. ICSI is performed to accomplish fertilization, especially in cases where sperm fertilizing capacity is likely to be deficient (What is ICSI?).
IVF (In vitro fertilization) - A method of assisted reproduction that involves surgically removing eggs from the ovaries, usually by ultrasound-guided vaginal retrieval, after controlled ovarian hyperstimulation, then combining the eggs with sperm in a laboratory dish. After fertilization, some of the resulting embryos are transferred into the woman's uterus through the cervix. IVF is also known as "test tube baby" and "test tube fertilization" (IVF Primer).
IUI (Intrauterine Insemination) – A common low-tech fertility treatment in the course of which sperm from the woman’s partner or a sperm donor is washed by centrifugation to remove irritating substances and then placed inside the uterus through the cervix around the time of ovulation (What is Intra-Uterine Insemination ?).
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J
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K
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L
Laparoscopy – A minor surgical procedure allowing inspection of the ovaries, the exterior of the Fallopian tubes and the uterus through a laparoscope, a surgical instrument containing a lens and light fibers, which is inserted through a small incision below the navel; one or two other punctures may be made through which additional instruments can be inserted and manipulated. Diagnostic laparoscopy is used to examine the pelvic organs whereas operative laparoscopy involves corrective surgery on the diseased organs, such as removal of endometriosis or a hydrosalpinx (Surgery, What is a Hydrosalpinx?).
Laparotomy – A major open abdominal surgery.
Luteal phase - The second half of the menstrual cycle after ovulation when the corpus luteum secretes progesterone; receptivity of the endometrium to implantation of a fertilized egg depends on progesterone produced in the luteal phase. Normal luteal phase lasts 14 days.
Luteal phase defect - A inadequate luteal phase due to either suboptimal or short secretion of progesterone which results in a lag in endometrial development which interferes with implantation and evolution of early pregnancy.
Long suppression protocol - A common protocol for controlled ovarian hyperstimulation for IVF in which a GnRH agonist, such as leuprolide, is administered in the luteal phase of the cycle preceding ovum retrieval to cause pituitary down-regulation. The exogenous gonadotropins are administered after the onset of menses while GnRH is continued until the administration of hCG (IVF Primer).
LH (Luteinizing hormone) - The pituitary hormone that normally triggers ovulation and stimulates the corpus luteum to secrete progesterone in the female. In the male, it stimulates testosterone production.
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M
Male factor - Infertility caused by a problem in the male partner such as the inability to ejaculate or suboptimal semen quality preventing pregnancy from occurring; it might include the presence of a varicocele, cryptorchidism, chromosomal abnormality, vas deferens obstruction and exposure to environmental toxins or drugs (Male Factors).
Morphology- Term meaning shape. When sperm is diagnosed as having poor morphology, it means the sperm is misshapen and often incapable of fertilization.
Motility- Refers to the swimming ability of the sperm.
Multi-Fetal Pregnancy Reduction (MFPR) - An intentional reduction in the number of fetuses performed in a pregnancy typically with more than 2 fetuses usually following IVF or ovulation induction. Sometimes erroneously called selective reduction (The Dilemma of Twins).
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N
Natural cycle IVF - In vitro fertilization following retrieval of the typically single egg from the ovary without use of FSH or hMG hormones.
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O
Oligo-ovulation – Infrequent and irregular ovulation (What is PCOS?).
Oligospermia - An abnormally low number of sperm in the ejaculate of the male.
Ongoing pregnancy - A clinical pregnancy which is continuing normally beyond the first trimester but is still undelivered at time of reporting.
Oocyte (Ovum) - The unfertilized female gamete or egg that contains the genetic information transmitted by the female.
Oocyte retrieval - A minor surgical procedure to collect the eggs contained within the ovarian follicles, usually through ultrasound-guided vaginal aspiration technique, for IVF (IVF Primer).
Ovarian failure - The inability of the ovary to respond to FSH hormone stimulation, usually due to the absence of follicles on a genetic basis or postmenopausal condition (absence of oocytes).
Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome (OHSS) - A serious side effect of treatment with human menopausal gonadotropins or FSH in which the ovaries become painful and swollen and large amount of fluid accumulates in the abdomen causing distension, pain, nausea, shortness of breath and decrease in urine production. Depending on its severity, treatment of OHSS ranges from bedrest to hospitalization with drainage of abdominal fluid (How to Avoid OHSS).
Ovarian reserve - The biologic "age" and number of an individual's eggs. Diminished ovarian reserve, which may be reflected by an elevated early follicular phase FSH and/or estradiol level or a small number of antral follicles by ultrasound, correlates with reduced chances for a live birth with IVF (How Do We Test Ovarian Reserve?).
Ovaries - The female sexual organs which produce the hormones estrogen and progesterone, and in which the ova develop to ovulation.
Ovulation - The expulsion of a mature egg from its follicle in the outer layer of the ovary which usually occurs on approximately day 14 of a normal 28-day menstrual cycle.
Ovulation induction - Pharmacologic stimulation of the ovaries, generally with gonadotropins and/or clomiphene citrate, typically in women who do not ovulate on their own with the objective of bringing about ovulation. Sometimes used interchangeably with Controlled Ovarian Hyperstimulation (COH) for IVF (What is Ovulation Induction?).
Ovum - The unfertilized female gamete or egg that contains the genetic information transmitted by the female.
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P
Pituitary gland - A small gland just beneath the hypothalamus that secretes follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) and other hormones.
Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS)- The most common reproductive hormonal disorder in women characterized by lack of regular ovulation with the symptoms of irregular menses, infertility, excess facial hair and excess weight. (What is PCOS?)
Polyspermia - Fertilization of an egg by more than one sperm.
Progesterone - An ovarian hormone secreted by the corpus luteum during the second half of the menstrual cycle after ovulation has occurred; also produced by the placenta during pregnancy.
Progestin - A synthetic hormone that has an action similar to progesterone.
Prolactin - A pituitary hormone that stimulates milk production. Abnormal secretion of prolactin interferes with normal ovulation.
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Q
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S
S.A.R.T. - Society for Assisted Reproductive Technologies affiliated with the American Society for Reproductive Medicine comprised of representatives from assisted reproduction technology programs.
Semen - The sperm and seminal secretions ejaculated during orgasm.
Semen analysis - The study of fresh ejaculate under the microscope to count the number of sperm per milliliter or cubic centimeter, to check the shape and size of the sperm (morphology), and to note their ability to move (motility).
Septate Uterus – Inborn (congenital) abnormality of the uterus in which a midline septum divides the cavity into 2 smaller cavities. A common cause of recurrent pregnancy loss. Uterine septum is usually incised by hysteroscopy (Pregnancy Loss).
Septum – The abnormal tissue that divides the uterus in half.
Sonogram- Used to reveal images of internal organs without the use of an X-ray. In fertility treatment it helps to monitor follicular growth and to detect abnormalities such as cysts. The sonogram uses high-frequency sound waves. This procedure is also known as ultrasound.
Sperm- The male gamete that contains the genetic information to be transmitted by the male, also known as spermatozoon (plural spermatozoa).
Sperm count (concentration)- The number of sperm present per milliliter of semen.
Sperm viability - Whether or not the sperm are alive.
Sperm washing - A technique that separates the sperm from the seminal fluid in preparation for use in IUI or IVF (What is Intra-Uterine Insemination?).
Spontaneous miscarriage - A pregnancy ending in miscarriage.
Spontaneous reduction - An ultrasound-confirmed decrease in the number of fetuses in a multi-fetal pregnancy also known as a "vanishing twin."
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T
Testicle - The male sexual glands contained in the scrotum which produce the male hormone testosterone and the male reproductive cells, the sperm.
Testosterone - The most potent male sex hormone, produced in the testicles. Much smaller quantities of testosterone are produced by the normal ovaries but ovarian production of testosterone is increased in PCOS.
Traditional Surrogate - A woman who carries an embryo created with her own egg, then turns over the child to the Intended Parents. Unlike gestational surrogates/carriers, a traditional surrogate has a genetic link to the offspring (What is Surrogacy?).
Transcervical transfer - The transfer of embryos or oocytes by placement of the catheter into the uterine cavity through the cervix.
Tubal embryo transfer - The transfer of embryos in the fallopian tube via laparoscopy.
Tubal patency - Unobstructed Fallopian tubes usually tested by HSG (hysterosalpingogram).
Tubal pregnancy- The development and attachment of a fertilized egg in a fallopian tube; it is the most common type of ectopic pregnancy.
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U
Ultrasound - A technique using soundwaves for visualizing different organs, e.g. follicles in the ovaries and fetus in the uterus.
Uterus - The reproductive organ that contains and nourishes the developing embryo and fetus. It is a hollow, muscular structure that is part of the female reproductive tract and is the source of a woman's menses. The uterus consist of the cervix and the corpus.
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V
Vagina - A tubular passageway in the female connecting the external sex organs with the cervix and uterus.
Varicocele - A dilated varicose vein of the testicles, sometimes a cause of male infertility (Male Factors).
Vas deferens - A pair of thick-walled tubes about 4 cm long in the male that lead from the epididymis to the ejaculatory duct in the prostate. During ejaculation, the ducts have wavelike contractions to propel sperm forward.
Vitrification - A method of very rapid freezing of tissues which has been shown to be effective in cryopreservation of unfertilized eggs (Freezing of Unfertilized Eggs).
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W
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X
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Y
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Z
Zona pellucida - The outer covering of the ovum that the sperm must penetrate before fertilization can occur. To implant the embryo must exit the zona.
Zygote - An embryo in early development state after fertilization but before cell division (cleavage).
ZIFT (Zygote Intra-fallopian Transfer) – An uncommon A.R.T. technique in which zygotes are placed into a Fallopian tube, usually via laparoscopy.
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