Glossary
A
| Habitual Abortion | A condition whereby three or more pregnancies have been lost to miscarriage |
| Incomplete Abortion | An abortion after which some fetal tissues remain in-utero. Often requires a D&C for cleansing |
| Spontaneous Abortion | A loss of pregnancy during the first trimester |
| Therapeutic Abortion | A selective termination of pregnancy |
| Threatened Abortion | Indicator for potential spontaneous abortion, spotting or bleeding during pregnancy |
| Adhesions | A type of scar tissue often found in pelvic cavity that can obstruct or impair implantation of embryo in uterus |
| Adrenal Androgens | 'Male' hormones produced by the adrenal gland that may cause fertility problems when present in excessive amounts. Often found in patients with PCOD (Poly-Cystic Ovarian Disorder) |
| Agglutination | Act of sperm clumping together, often in response to anti-sperm antibodies |
| Alpha-fetoprotein | A blood test that analyses the developing fetus |
| A.I.D. | Artificial Insemination Donor - see also T.D.I. - insemination via donor sperm sample |
| A.I.H. | Artificial Insemination Homologous- artificial insemination with husband's sperm. |
| Amenorrhea | Lack of menstruation for 6 months or more. |
| Amniocentesis | The aspiration of amniotic fluid from the uterus, usually performed at three to three and one-half months of pregnancy, to test the fetus for genetic abnormalities |
| Androgens | Male sex hormones |
| Andrologist | A specialist who treats sperm problems |
| Anovulation | The absence of ovulation |
| Antibody | a protective agent produced by the body's immune system in response to a foreign substance |
| Antigen | Any substance that induces the formation of an antibody |
| Antisperm antibodies | Antibodies that can attach to sperm and inhibit movement of sperm or fertilization |
| Artificial Insemination | Deposition of sperm in vagina near cervix, often used in combination with ovulatory therapy to improve timing and conditions for gamete interactions. |
| Asherman's Syndrome | Uterine abnormality often associated with uterine inflammation. |
| A.R.T. | Advanced Reproductive Technology: a generic term encompassing IVF, GIFT, ZIFT, ICSI, and many other technologies inherent to reproductive care. |
| Aspiration | suctioning of fluid, as from a follicle |
| Asymptomatic | Without any symptoms |
| Autoimmunity | An immune reaction against one's own tissues |
| Azoospermia | Complete lack of sperm production in semen, may be due to reproductive tract blockage. |
B
| B.B.T. | Basal body temperature (BBT): the temperature taken at its lowest point in the day, usually in the morning before getting out of bed Biphasic charts are normal, with slight elevation of temperature in second half of cycle. Monphasic charts are abnormal, with relatively constant temperature. |
| Biopsy | A fragment of tissue removed for study under the microscope |
| Beta hCG Test | A blood test used to analyze embryo development in early pregnancies |
| Bromocryptine (Parlodel) | A drug that reduces levels of the pituitary hormone prolactin |
C
| Cannula | A hollow tube used to artificially inseminate sperm |
| Capacitation | The process by which sperm becomes capable of fertilizing an egg |
| Catheter | A flexible tube used for aspirating or injecting fluids |
| Cervix | The lower portion of the uterus that opens into the vagina |
| Cervicitis | Inflammation of the cervix |
| Cervical Mucus | A somewhat tacky fluid covering the cervix that changes in consistency throughout the woman's menstrual cycle. During ovulation thick mucus becomes more watery and stringy, allowing passage of sperm. |
| Chlamydia | A type of bacteria that is frequently transmitted sexually between partners or from an infected mother to her newborn child; the most common sexually transmitted bacterial disease |
| Chorionic villus sampling (CVS) | Taking a biopsy of the placenta, usually at the end of the second month of pregnancy, to test the fetus for genetic abnormalities |
| Coitus | Sexual intercourse |
| Clomiphene citrate (Clomid, Serophene) | A fertility pill that stimulates ovulation through release of gonadotropins from the pituitary gland |
| Congenital defect | A birth defect |
| Corpus luteum | ("yellow body") formed in the ovary following ovulation, it produces progesterone A glandular structure forming from the burst follicular sac upon ovulation. Responsible for releasing progesterone to transit body into second half of menstrual cycle and to prepare womb for implantation |
| Cryptorchidism | Failure of one or both testicles to descend into the scrotum |
D
| D&C | (Dilatation and Curettage) |
| Donor insemination | artificial insemination with donor sperm |
| Danazol | A common medication in endometriosis treatment which suppresses LH and FSH production. May cause notable side effects for patient |
| Diethylstilbestrol (DES) | A synthetic estrogen (originally prescribed to prevent miscarriage) that caused malformations of the reproductive organs in some who were exposed to the drug during fetal development |
| Doxycycline | An antibiotic that is often used in treatment of reproductive tract infections. Often prescribed as cost-effective preventive measure |
| Dysmenorrhea | Abnormal pain during menstruation |
| Dysfunction | Abnormal function |
E
| Ectopic pregnancy | Pregnancy located outside of the uterus, most commonly in a fallopian tube |
| Egg (ovum) | The female reproductive cell |
| Egg donation | Donation of an egg by one woman to another who attempts to become pregnant by in vitro fertilization |
| Egg Retrieval | A surgical procedure to procure eggs from follicles for use in IVF/GIFT cycle or otherwise. Usually involves laparoscopy. |
| Embryo | The developing baby from implantation to the second month of pregnancy |
| Embryologist | A specialist in embryo development |
| Embryo Transfer | Placing a fertilized egg back into the woman's uterus or fallopian tube. |
| Ejaculate | The sperm-containing fluid released at orgasm |
| Electroejaculation | Controlled electrical stimulation to induce ejaculation in a man with damage to the nerves that control ejaculation |
| Endometriosis | A condition where growth of endometrial tissues occurs in areas outside the uterus causing irritation, adhesions, and other pelvic abnormalities. |
| Endometrial Biopsy | A procedure whereby a small sample of the uterine lining is removed and dissected. |
| Epididymis | Responsible for maturation of sperm prior to ejaculation. |
| Estradiol | The principal estrogen produced by the ovary |
| Estrogens | Female sex hormones |
F
| Fallopian tubes | Ducts that pick up the egg from the ovary; where a sperm normally meets the egg to fertilize it |
| Fetus | The developing baby from the second month of pregnancy until birth |
| Fertilization | Union of the male gamete (sperm) with the female gamete (egg) |
| Fibroid | (myoma or leiomyoma) a benign tumor of the uterine muscle and connective tissue. |
| Follicle | A fluid-filled sac in the ovary that releases an egg at ovulation |
| FSH (Follicle Stimulating Hormone) | Responsible for stimulating follicular development during the first half of the menstrual cycle |
| Follicular Phase | The first half (pre-ovulation) portion of the woman's menstrual cycle. Marked by growth of the endometrial lining of the uterus and elevated estrogen levels |
G
| Gamete | A reproductive cell; the sperm in men, the egg in women |
| Gamete Intra Fallopian Transfer (GIFT) | Combining eggs and sperm outside of the body and immediately placing them into the fallopian tubes to achieve fertilization |
| GIFT | See Gamete Intra Fallopian Transfer |
| Gland | An organ that produces and secretes essential body fluids or substances, such as hormones |
| Gonadotropins | The hormones produced by the pituitary gland that control reproductive function follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) |
| Gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) | A hormone released intermittently by the pituitary gland every 90 minutes. Enables the pituitary to stimulate FSH and LH production |
| Gonads | Organs that produce the sex cells and sex hormones; testicles in men and ovaries in women |
| Gamete Intrafallopian Transfer (G.I.F.T.) | A procedure whereby eggs are surgically 'harvested' from a woman and combined with a washed specimen of husband or donor sperm in the fallopian tubes |
H
| Hormone | A substance, produced by an endocrine gland, that travels through the bloodstream to a specific organ, where it exerts its effect |
| hCG (Human Chorionic Gonadotropin) | A complex hormone often used to stimulate ovulation by injection in controlled ovarian hyperstimulation cycles. It is also the hormone produced early in pregnancy to keep the corpus luteum producing progesterone; may be injected to stimulate ovulation and progesterone production |
| hMG (Human Menopausal Gonadotropins) | A combination of FSH and LH derived from menopausal women. These hormones are used to induce ovulation in several treatment protocols. |
| Hyperstimulation | Excessive stimulation of the ovaries that can cause them to become enlarged |
| Hysterectomy | Surgical removal of the uterus and possibly other reproductive organs. |
| Hysterosalpingogram (HSG) | A scan of pelvic organs through a radiopaque dye injected into the uterus and fallopian tubes. A common procedure in initial pelvic evaluation. |
| Hysteroscopy | A minimally invasive procedure where a fiber-optic 'telescope' is inserted vaginally into the uterus to examine the organ for abnormalities |
I
| Immune system | The body's defense against any injury or invasion by a foreign substance or organism |
| Immunoglobulins | A class of proteins endowed with antibody activity; antibodies |
| Immunosuppressive drug | A drug that interferes with the normal immune response |
| Implantation | Attachment of the fertilized egg to the uterine lining, usually occurring five to seven days after ovulation |
| Impotence | Inability of a man to achieve an erection or ejaculation |
| Incompetent cervix | Cervix with the inability to remain closed throughout an entire pregnancy; a frequent cause of premature birth |
| Infertility | inability of a couple to achieve a pregnancy or to carry a pregnancy to term after one year of unprotected intercourse |
| Inflammation | A response to some type of injury such as infection, characterized by increased blood flow, heat, redness, swelling, and pain |
| Intracervical insemination (ICI) | Artificial insemination of sperm into the cervical canal |
| Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) | A breakthrough technique where a single sperm can by microsurgically injected into the cytoplasm of an egg to develop into a fertilized embryo. Procedure has given new hope to men with poor semen quality or azozoospermia. |
| Intratubal insemination (ITI) | artificial insemination of sperm, which have been washed free of seminal fluid, into the fallopian tubes |
| Intrauterine insemination (IUI) | artificial insemination of sperm, which have been washed free of seminal fluid, into the uterine cavity |
| In vitro fertilization (IVF) | (Literally, "in glass") fertilization outside of the body in a laboratory; the term "test tube baby" is inaccurate since fertilization occurs in a small circular dish, not a test tube |
j
K
| Karyotype | A chromosome analysis < |
L
| Laparascopy | A minimally invasive surgical procedure that allows examination of pelvic organs through a fiber optic telescope (laparoscope). |
| Laparotomy | Surgical procedure during which repairs are made to pelvic organs. |
| Luteal Phase | The second half (post-ovulatory) of the woman's menstrual cycle, marked by elevated progesterone levels |
| Luteinizing Hormone | Commonly called LH, a surge in this hormone triggers ovulation 14 days before the end of the woman's cycle. LH surge the sudden release of luteinizing hormone (LH) that causes the follicle to release a mature egg |
| Luteal phase | Post - ovulatory phase of a woman's cycle; the corpus luteum produces progesterone, which in turn causes the uterine lining to secrete substances to support the implantation and growth of the early embryo |
| Luteal phase defect (LPH) | Inadequate function of the corpus luteum that may prevent a fertilized egg from implanting in the uterus or may lead to early pregnancy loss |
M
| Menarche | The time when a woman has her first menstual period |
| Menopause | The time when a woman stops having menstrual periods |
| Miscarriage | Spontaneous abortion |
| Mucus | Secretion from a gland that can be watery, gel-like, stretchy, sticky or dry; fertile mucus is watery and stretchy |
N
O
| Obstetrician-gynecologist (Ob-gyn) | A physician who specializes in the treatment of female disorders and pregnancy |
| Oligomenorrhea | Infrequent and irregular menstrual cycles |
| Oligospermia | A low sperm count |
| Ovarian cyst | A fluid filled sac growing in the ovaries. Often leads to ovulatory disorders. |
| Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome (OHSS/ Hyperstim) | A rare but potentially deadly complication during ovulatory therapy where ovaries develop too many follicles. |
| Ovary | The female gonad; produces eggs and female hormones |
| Ovulation | Release of an egg from the ovary |
P
| Pap smear | Removal of cells from the surface of the cervix to study microscopically |
| Patent | Open; for example, fallopian tubes should be patent after a sterilization reversal operation |
| Penis | The male organ of sexual intercourse |
| Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (P.I.D.) | An infection of organs in the pelvic cavity which can lead to severe complications such as tubal blockage and adhesion growth. |
| Pituitary gland | The endocrine gland at the base of the brain that produces the gonadotropin luteinizing hormone and follicle stimulating hormone, which in turn stimulate the gonads to produce sex cells and hormones |
| Polycystic ovarian disease (PCOD) | A condition found among women who do not ovulate, characterized by multiple ovarian cysts and increased androgen production |
| Post-coital test (PCT) | Microscopic examination of a woman's cervical mucus at the fertile time of the cycle to determine the number and motility of sperm following intercourse |
| Progesterone | The female hormone, produced by the corpus luteum after ovulation, that prepares the uterine lining for implantation of a fertilized egg and helps maintain the pregnancy |
| Prolactin | The pituitary hormone that in high amounts stimulates milk production |
| Prostate gland | The male gland encircling the urethra that produces one third of the fluid in the ejaculate |
| Prostaglandins | A group of hormone-like chemicals that have various effects on reproductive organs; so named because they were first discovered in the prostate gland |
Q
R
| Resistant Ovary | An ovary that fails to respond to FSH stimulation |
| Retrograde ejaculation | Ejaculation backwards into the bladder instead of forward through the urethra |
S
| Salpingectomy | A surgical procedure to remove one or both fallopian tubes. |
| Semen | The fluid containing sperm and secretions from the testicles, prostate, and seminal vesicles that is expelled during ejaculation |
| Semen Analysis | A test to assess sperm quality based upon the following characteristics: ejaculate volume, appearance, consistency, sperm morphology, sperm motility, sperm concentration, and antibody presence. |
| Sonogram (Ultrasound) | Imaging of internal systems through high frequency sound waves. |
| Sperm Morphology | The shape of ejaculated sperm. |
| Sperm bank | A place where sperm are kept frozen in lizuid nitrogen for later use in artificial insemination |
| Sperm count | The number of sperm in the ejaculate (when given as the number of sperm per millileter it is more accurately known as the sperm concentration or sperm density) |
| Spermatogenesis | The process of sperm production. |
| Sterilization | A surgical procedure (such as tubal ligation or vasedtomy) designed to produce infertility |
| Superovulation | Stimulation of multiple ovulation with fertility drugs; also known as controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH) |
| Surrogate mother | A woman who becomes artificially inseminated with a man's sperm and carries the pregnancy for an infertile couple, who adopt the baby after its birth (the man being the biological father of the child) |
T
| Testicle | The male gonad; produces sperm and male sex hormones |
| Testicular biopsy | The removal of a fragment of a testicle for examination under the microscope |
| Testosterone | The primary male sex hormone |
| Thyroid gland | The endocrine gland in the front of the neck that produces thyroid hormones, which regulate the body's metabolism |
| Tubal ligation | Surgical sterilization of a woman by obstructing or "tying" the fallopian tubes |
| Turner's Syndrome | A genetic disorder in which women have only one X chromosome. Frequently causes infertility |
U
| Ultrasound (US) | Use of high-frequency sound waves for creating an image of internal body parts |
| Urologist | A physician who specializes in the surgical treatment of disorders of the urinary tract and male reproductive tract |
| Uterus | The womb; female reproductive organ that nourishes the fetus until birth |
V
| Vagina | The female organ of sexual intercourse; the birth canal |
| Varicocele | Varicose veins in the scrotum |
| Vasectomy | Surgical sterilization of a man by interrupting both vas deferens |
| Venereal disease | See Sexually transmitted diseases (STD) |
W
X
Y
Z
| Zygote | An egg that has been fertilized but not yet divided |
| Zygote Intra-Fallopian Transfer (Z.I.F.T.) | A procedure whereby retrieved eggs are fertilized outside of the woman's body and returned to her fallopian tubes. |