Scar tissue band attached to organ
surfaces, capable of connecting,
covering or distorting organs, such as
tubes, ovaries, uterus, and bowel
Amenorrhea
Absence of menstruation
ASRM
American Society of Reproductive
Medicine - Large multidisciplinary patient and
physician organization serving as a
platform for new ideas, education and
advocacy in fertility and reproductive
issues. ASRM is one of the leading
advocates for patient care, research,
and education.
Anovulation
Absence of ovulation
Antisperm Antibodies
Antibodies that attach to sperm and
inhibit movement of sperm or
fertilization.
Assisted Hatching
Placing a small opening in the outer
“shell” or membrane that surrounds the
embryo. This process assists the embryo
in breaking out of the shell to allow
for implantation in the endometrium. This is used by the embryologists in
some IVF cycles.
Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ART)
Fertility therapies employed
Azoospermia
The absence of sperm
Biochemical pregnancy
A positive pregnancy test, but with
levels of pregnancy hormones too low for
documentation by ultrasound.
Blastocyst
A day 5 or 6 embryo
Cervix
The lower section of the uterus that
protrudes into the vagina and dilates
during labor to allow the passage of the
infant.
Clinical Pregnancy
A pregnancy in which a heartbeat can be
detected.
Clomiphene Citrate
A commonly prescribed fertility
medication that works by binding to the
estrogen receptor. This causes the
pituitary to release more follicle
stimulating hormone to stimulate the
cells in the ovary to produce more
estrogen and thus more eggs.
Conceptus
A general term referring to the product
of the union of the oocyte and the sperm
cell.
Corpus Luteum
A special gland that forms on the
surface of the ovary at the site of
ovulation and produces progesterone
during the second half of the cycle. It
is necessary to prepare the uterine
lining for implantation by the
fertilized egg.
Cryobank
A facility where frozen sperm,
eggs and embryo are stored.
Cryopreservation
Extra embryos developed during an IVF
cycle are frozen for future use.
Diminished ovarian reserve
Reduction of the number of viable eggs
in the ovary.
Donor Insemination
The introduction of sperm from a donor
into a woman’s vagina or cervix using
instruments, in order to achieve
pregnancy.
Donor Oocytes
Eggs donated for patients who have
premature ovarian failure or advanced
maternal age who cannot achieve
pregnancy on her own.
Donor Embryo
A frozen embryo donated by a couple who
has completed their family and does not
wish to use the embryo. The embryo can
then be used by another infertile
couple.
Donor Sperm
Sperm donated for the purpose of
creating a pregnancy.
Ectopic Pregnancy
Pregnancy located outside of the uterus,
most commonly in the fallopian tube.
Egg Freezing
A procedure used to cryopreserved unfertilized eggs taken from a woman’s
ovary.
Egg Retrieval
The procedure during an IVF cycle where
the eggs are harvested.
Embryo
The developing individual from
approximately the second week until
approximately the end of the second
month.
Embryologist
Embryologists are scientists involved in
fertility treatments and reproductive
research.
Embryo Transfer
Introduction of an embryo into a woman’s
uterus after in vitro fertilization.
Endometriosis
The presence of endometrial tissue (the
normal uterine lining) in abnormal
locations such as the tubes, ovaries and
peritoneal cavity.
Endometrium
The lining of the uterus.
Estradiol
The
principal estrogen produced by the
ovary.
Estrogen
The primary female hormone produced
mainly by the ovary from puberty to
menopause.
Fallopian Tube
A pair of tubes that conduct the egg
from the ovary to the uterus. Normal
fertilization takes place within this
structure.
Fertility
The ability to bear children.
Fertilization
A sperm penetrates an egg and
subsequently combines genetic material.
Fibroid (myoma or leiomyoma)
A benign tumor of the uterine muscle and
connective tissue.
Fimbria
Finger-like outer ends of the Fallopian
tubes that capture the egg and deliver
it into the tube.
Follicle
The fluid-filled sac on the ovary that
has nurtured the egg and from which the
egg is released during ovulation, or
aspiration.
Follicular Phase
The first half of the menstrual cycle
when ovarian follicle development takes
place, pre-ovulatory
Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH)
A hormone produced and released from the
pituitary that stimulates follicle
growth.
Frozen Embryo Transfer
Introduction of a thawed embryo into a
woman’s uterus after in vitro
fertilization.
Gamete
A generic term referring to either the
male sperm or the female oocyte (egg).
Gestational Carrier
A woman who carries an embryo to
delivery. The embryo is derived from the
egg and sperm of persons not related to
the carrier; therefore the carrier has
no genetic relationship with the
resulting child.
Gonadotropins
Hormones produced by the pituitary gland
that control reproductive function,
follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing
hormone (LH).
Gonadatropin Hormone Releasing Hormone (GnRH)
The hypothalamic hormone that stimulates
the pituitary to release LH and FSH. It is used in IVF
to prevent the body from spontaneously triggering
ovulation. It can also be used to treat
endometriosis.
Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG)
The hormone produced early in pregnancy
to keep the corpus luteum producing progesterone; may be
injected to stimulate ovulation and progesterone
production.
Hydrosalpinx
Blocked, dilated, fluid-filled fallopian tube.
Hyperprolactinemia
The overproduction of prolactin by the pituitary gland. This is the
hormone responsible for breast milk production.
Hypothalamus
The
area of the brain responsible for
release of certain hormones.
Hysterosalpingogram (HSG)
A complete x-ray study of the uterus and
fallopian tubes accomplished by
injecting dye through the cervix.
Hysteroscopy
Examination of the inner cavity of the
uterus through a fiberoptic telescope
inserted through the vagina and cervical canal.
Infertility
The inability to conceive after a year
of unprotected intercourse or the
inability to carry a pregnancy to term.
Implantation
The embedding of the fertilized egg in
the lining of the uterus.
IUI
Intra uterine Insemination - The
placement of sperm into a woman’s uterus for the purpose of achieving pregnancy.
ICSI
Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection -
Process of one sperm being injected into
a mature oocyte using micromanipulation
equipment. This is used when there are
very few normal sperm or in sperm that
are unable to fertilize the oocyte.
In Vitro
Latin term for “in glass”. - A term
referring to IVF or fertilization occurring in a
dish as opposed to in the body.
In Vitro Fertilization/Embryo Transfer
A procedure in which an egg is removed transvaginally
from an ovarian follicle and fertilized artificially
and placed intrauterine through a specialized
catheter for embryo transfer.
Laparoscopy
Abdominal surgical exploration using a
laparoscope (optic system) to view the
fallopian tubes, ovaries and uterus.
Luteal Phase
The last fourteen days of the menstrual
cycle after ovulation has occurred. It I
associated with progesterone production.
Post-ovulatory.
MESA
Microsurgical epididymal sperm
aspiration is a term used to describe microsurgical
techniques for sperm aspiration from the epididymis.
Mock Transfer
Also known as trial transfer or uterine
measurement-This is a measurement
performed to determine the length and
direction of the uterine cavity.
Morphology
The physical appearance of the sperm.
Motility
The ability of sperm to move and
progress forward.
Multi-cell embryo
A day 3 embryo.
Oligoasthenospermia
Poorly moving and low numbers of sperm.
Oocyte
The egg produced in the ovaries each
month. Also called the ovum (gamete).
OHSS
Ovarian Hyperstimulation
Syndrome - An exaggerated response to
response to ovulation induction therapy with
fertility drugs.
Ovaries
The female sex glands with both a
reproductive function (releasing eggs)
and a hormone function (producing
estrogen and progesterone).
Ovulation
The release of a mature egg from the
surface of the ovary.
Ovulation induction
The administration of hormone
medications (ovulation drugs) that
stimulate the ovaries to ovulate.
Ovulation Predictor Kit (OPK)
Home urine test for LH which is the signal to release an egg
from the ovary.
Pituitary Gland
A gland located at the base of the
brain, below the hypothalamus, which
controls almost every endocrine gland in
the body and therefore, controls human
growth, development and reproduction.
Polycystic Ovarian Disease (PCOD)
A condition found among women who do not
ovulate, characterized by multiple
ovarian cysts and increased androgen
production.
PGS
Pre-implantation genetic screening- A
technique used during in-vitro
Fertilization (IVF) to biopsy a cell
from the embryo to test for genetic
disorders prior to transfer into the
uterus.
Premature ovarian failure
Menopause before the age of 40.
Primary Infertility
Infertility
in patients who have never had children.
Progesterone
A
hormone produced and released by the
corpus luteum of the ovary during
the second half of an ovulatory cycle. It is
necessary for the preparation of the lining of the
uterus for the implantation of the fertilized egg.
Prolactin
A hormone that stimulates breast milk
production.
Reproductive Endocrinologist (RE)
A physician who is specially trained to
treat infertility.
SART
SART is the primary organization of
professionals dedicated to the practice
of assisted reproductive technologies
(ART) in the United States. ART includes
the practice of In Vitro Fertilization
(IVF). The mission of our organization
is to set and help maintain the
standards for ART in an effort to better
serve our members and our patients.
Secondary Infertility
Infertility in those who have previously
been fertile.
Semen
The sperm and seminal secretions
ejaculated during orgasm by the male.
Semen Analysis
Evaluation of sperm for volume, count,
motility, forward progression and
morphology.
Sonogram
See Ultrasound
Sperm (Spermatozoa)
Male reproductive cells (gamete)
Specialty Pharmacy
A pharmacy with expertise in infertility
Sperm Washing
Process used to separate sperm from
semen prior to insemination or ICSI
Superovulation
Stimulation of multiple ovulation with
fertility drugs
Testes
The male sex glands located in the
scrotum
Trans-vaginal Aspiration
A method of obtaining eggs by needle
aspiration through the vagina.
Tubal Patency
Unobstructed fallopian tubes.
Tuboplasty
Reconstructive surgery on the fallopian
tubes to correct abnormalities that
cause infertility.
Unexplained infertility
Inability
to identify the cause of infertility
despite a complete evaluation.
Uterine septum
A band of fibrous tissue that forms a
wall extending from the top of the
uterine cavity.
Uterus
The reproductive organ that houses,
protects and nourishes the developing
embryo/fetus.
Ultrasound
A technique for visualizing the
follicles in the ovaries and the fetus
in the uterus, allowing the estimation
of size.
Vagina
A tubular passageway in the female
connecting the external sex organs with
the cervix and uterus.
Zygote
The cell resulting after fertilization
of the oocyte by the sperm.
