Adhesions: Bands of tissue that bind tissue layers together.
Androgen: Hormone that stimulates the activity of the accessory male sex organs and encourages development to male sex characteristics. Also produced in low quantities in females.
Andrologist: A physician-scientist who performs clinical or laboratory evaluations of male fertility. May hold an M.D., or Ph.D. degree instead of an M.D., and is usually affiliated with a fertility treatment center working with in-vitro fertilization.
Anovulation: The failure to ovulate.
Artesia: Normal death of the ovarian follicle following failure of the ovum to be fertilized.
ART (assisted reproductive technology): All treatments or procedures that involve the handling of human eggs and sperm for the purpose of establishing a pregnancy.
ART cycle: A process in which (1) an ART procedure is carried out, (2) a woman has undergone ovarian stimulation or monitoring with the intent of having an ART procedure, or (3) in the case of frozen embryos, embryos have been thawed with the intent of transferring them to a woman. A cycle starts when a woman begins taking fertility drugs or starts ovarian monitoring.
Assisted Hatching: making a small hole in the zona pellucida (gel-like covering of embryo) to facilitate implantation of the developing embryo in the uterine wall.
BETA HCG (hCG): A hormone, human chorionic gonadotropin, produced by a pregnancy. Measurement of beta hCG is the blood test used to determine pregnancy to follow its progression.
Cancelled cycle: An ART cycle that is stopped after ovarian stimulation has been carried out but before eggs are retrieved or, in the case of frozen embryo cycles, before embryos are transferred.
Cryopreservation: A technique for preserving tissue through freezing that is used to preserve embryos for transfer at a later date. Cryopreserved embryos are also referred to as frozen embryos.
Donor embryo: An embryo formed from the egg of a woman who has donated it for transfer to a woman who is unable to conceive with her own eggs (the recipient). The donor relinquishes all parental rights to any resulting offspring.
Ectopic Pregnancy: A pregnancy in which the fertilized egg implants in a location outside the uterus -- usually in the fallopian tube, the ovary, or the abdominal cavity. Ectopic pregnancy is a dangerous condition that must receive prompt treatment.
Egg: A female reproductive cell, also called an oocyte or ovum.
Egg retrieval (also called oocyte retrieval): A procedure to collect the eggs contained in the ovarian follicles.
Egg transfer (also called oocyte transfer): The transfer of retrieved eggs into a woman's fallopian tubes through laparoscopy. This procedure is used only in GIFT (see definition).
Embryo: a fertilized egg from conception to the eighth embryonic week.
Embryo transfer: Placement of embryos into a woman's uterus through the cervix after IVF or, in the case of ZIFT, into her fallopian tubes.
Embryologist: An expert in early embryo development and in processing of eggs and sperm. Functions primarily in the in vitro fertilization laboratory as the caretaker of sperm, eggs, and embryos. Educationally prepared at the Doctorate level in Science, with hands on experience on embryology, andrology and related technologies.
Estradiol: A form of estrogen. This hormone is produced by developing follicles in the ovary. Measuring levels helps determine progressive growth of the follicles during ovulation induction.
Estrogen: Hormone that stimulates secondary female sexual characteristics and controls the course of the menstrual cycle. Also produced in low quantities in males.
Fallopian Tubes: Ducts through which eggs travel to the uterus once released from the follicle. Sperm normally meet the egg in the fallopian tube, the site at which fertilization usually occurs.
Fertilization: The penetration of the egg by the sperm and the resulting fusion of genetic material that develops into an embryo.
Fetus: The developing human organism after the embryo stage from the ninth week of pregnancy to the moment of birth.
Fibroid: A benign (not malignant) tumor of the uterine muscle and connective tissue.
Follicle: Fluid filled sacs in the ovary, which contain the eggs released at ovulation. Each month an egg develops inside the ovary in a fluid filled pocket called a follicle.
Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH): A pituitary hormone that stimulates follicular development and spermatogenesis (sperm development). In the woman, FSH stimulates the ovary to ripen a follicle for ovulation. In the man, FSH stimulates the Sertoli cells in the testicles and supports sperm production. Elevated FSH levels are associated with gonadal failure in both men and women.
Follicular Phase: the portion of the menstrual cycle when ovarian follicle development takes place.
Gamete: A reproductive cell, either a sperm or an egg.
Gamete Intra-fallopian Transfer (GIFT): Gamete intra-fallopian transfer involves combining sperm and eggs outside the body and immediately placing them into the fallopian tubes.
Gestational sac: A fluid-filled structure that develops within the uterus early in pregnancy.
GIFT (gamete intrafallopian transfer): An ART procedure that involves removing eggs from the woman's ovary, combining them with sperm, and using a laparoscope to place the unfertilized eggs and the sperm into the woman's fallopian tubes through a small incision in her abdomen.
Gonadotropins: Hormones that control reproductive function: Follicle Stimulating Hormone and Luteinizing Hormone.
Human Chorionic Gonodotropin (hCG) - A hormone secreted by the placenta that prolongs the life of the corpus luteum beyond its usual fourteen day life span, resulting in the production of sufficient progesterone to support a pregnancy. It may be injected to trigger ovulation and ensure adequate luteal function. This hormone is also the basis of most pregnancy tests.
Hysterosalpingogram (HSG): An x-ray study in which dye is injected into the uterus to show the body of the uterus and whether the fallopian tubes are open. Does not require anesthesia, although pain medication will be administered before the exam.
Hysteroscopy: An examination of the inside of the uterus through a fiberoptic telescope inserted through the vagina and cervical canal. Requires anesthesia.
ICSI (intracytoplasic sperm injection): A procedure in which a single sperm is injected directly into an egg; this procedure is most commonly used to overcome male infertility problems.
Implantation (Embryo): The embedding of the embryo into tissue so it can establish contact with the mother’s blood supple for nourishment. Implantation usually occurs in the lining of the uterus; however, in an ectopic pregnancy it may occur elsewhere in the body.
Infertility: The inability of a couple to conceive a pregnancy after one year of unprotected sexual intercourse.
Intra-Uterine Insemination (IUI): IUI is the insertion of sperm, which have been carefully washed and prepared, directly into the uterus through the cervix using a catheter.
In Vitro Fertilization (IVF): Performed in the laboratory, in vitro (in glass) fertilization involves the removal of eggs from ripe follicles and their fertilization by sperm cells outside the human body.
Laparoscopy: A surgical procedure in which a fiberoptic instrument (a laparoscope) is inserted through a small incision below the navel to allow direct visualization of the ovaries and the exterior of the fallopian tubes and uterus.
Laparotomy: A surgical procedure in which a large incision is made in order to visualize the pelvic organs.
Live birth: Any infant delivered with signs of life after 20 or more weeks of gestation.
Luteal Phase: The days of a menstrual cycle following ovulation and ending with menstruation. During this 12 to 16 day period, the hormone progesterone is produced.
Luteinizing Hormone (LH): A pituitary hormone that stimulates the gonads. In the man, LH is necessary for spermatogenesis and for the production of testosterone. In the woman, LH is necessary for the production of estrogen.
Luteinizing Hormone Surge (LH Surge): The release of luteinizing hormone that causes release of a mature egg from the follicle.
Male Factor: Deficiencies in sperm quantity, function, or motility (ability to move) that make it difficult for a sperm to fertilize an egg under normal conditions.
Micromanipulation: Microscopic procedures, such as ICSI or assisted hatching, involving the eggs, sperm, or embryos.
Multifetal pregnancy reduction: A procedure in which the number of gestational sacs is reduced. This procedure is used to decrease the number of fetuses a woman carries and thereby improve the chances that the remaining fetuses will survive and develop into healthy infants.
Multiple birth: A pregnancy that results in the birth of more than one infant.
Oocyte: The female reproductive cell, also called an egg or ovum.
Ovarian Cyst: Fluid filled sacs in the ovary.
Ovarian factor: A cause of infertility related to problems with egg production by the ovaries.
Ovarian failure: The failure of the ovary to respond to FSH stimulation from the pituitary because of damage to or malformation of the ovary or a chronic disease such as autoimmune disease. Diagnosed by elevated FSH in the blood.
Ovarian hyperstimulation: When the ovaries become enlarged following administration of gonadotropins.
Ovarian monitoring: The use of ultrasound and/or blood or urine tests to monitor the development of ovarian follicles.
Ovarian stimulation: The use of drugs to stimulate the ovaries to develop follicles and eggs.
Ovulation: Release of an egg from its follicle in the ovary.
Ovulation induction: Use of hormone therapy to stimulate oocyte (egg) development and release.
Polycystic Ovaries: A condition found in women who don’t have normal ovulatory cycles, characterized by excessive production of androgens (male sex hormones) and the presence of cysts in the ovaries as seen with ultrasound or laparoscopy.
Pregnancy, Chemical: Pregnancy documented by a blood or urine test that shows a rise in the level of the human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) hormone.
Pregnancy, Clinical: Pregnancy documented by the presence of a gestational sac on ultrasound.
Pregnancy test: A blood or urine test that determines the level of the human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) hormone. Elevated levels of this hormone are chemical evidence of a pregnancy.
Pre-Implantation Genetic Diagnosis: Also known as embryo screening, PGD is an advanced procedure used in conjunction with in-vitro fertilization (IVF). The technique helps to prevent an adverse outcome by identifying abnormal embryos while they are developing in our laboratory but before they are transferred to the uterus.
Premature Ovarian Failure: A condition where the ovary runs out of follicles before the normal age associated with menopause.
Progesterone: The hormone produced by the corpus luteum during the second half of a woman’s cycle, after ovulation has occurred. It thickens the lining of the uterus to prepare it to accept implantation of a fertilized egg.
Prolactin: Female hormone responsible for milk production in nursing mothers. Can be elevated for other reasons such as an underactive thyroid. Elevated prolactin can affect ovulation.
Post-Coital Test (PCT): Test in which cervical secretions are obtained following intercourse and analyzed under a microscope to discern problems with the interaction of sperm and cervical mucus.
Psychologist: A therapist qualified to help individuals or couples discuss, understand and manage the stresses of infertility and its treatment. Educationally prepared to the level of Doctorate in Psychology.
Reproductive Endocrinologist: A doctor with a specialty in in Gynecology and Obstetrics who is additionally trained through fellowship in women's infertility medicine and reproductive microsurgery.
Semen analysis: Freshly ejaculated semen is evaluated under a microscope to count the number of sperm (count), the percentage of moving sperm (motility), and to assess the size and shape of the sperm (morphology).
Sperm: The male reproductive cell.
Sperm count: The number of sperm in an ejaculate. Also called sperm concentration and given as the number of sperm per milliliter.
Sperm motility: The ability of sperm to swim and move progressively. Motility is one of the most important determining factors in the sperm's ability to fertilize an egg. Poor motility means the sperm have a difficult time swimming toward the egg.
Sperm morphology: Size and shape of individual sperm. Normal sperm have an enzyme-coated head, middle piece, and whip-like tail.
Spontaneous abortion (miscarriage): A pregnancy ending in the spontaneous loss of the embryo or fetus before 20 weeks of gestation.
Stillbirth: An infant delivered without signs of life after 20 or more weeks of gestation.
Stimulated cycle: An ART cycle in which a woman receives drugs to stimulate her ovaries to produce more follicles
STD: Sexually Transmitted Diseases include Chlamydia, Herpes, Gonorrhea, Syphilis, and other conditions.
Testosterone: The male hormone responsible for the formation of secondary sex characteristics and for supporting the sex drive. Testosterone is also necessary for spermatogenesis (sperm development).
Thawed cycle: A cycle in which previously frozen embryos are thawed for embryo transfer.
Tubal factor: A cause of infertility related to structural or functional damage to one or both fallopian tubes.
Ultrasound: Also called sonogram. A technique using sound waves to visualize the uterus and ovaries, a fetus in the uterus, or the growth of ovarian follicles during infertility treatment.
Unexplained cause of infertility: Infertility for which no cause has been determined despite a comprehensive evaluation.
Unstimulated cycle: An ART cycle in which the woman does not receive drugs to stimulate her ovaries to produce more follicles. Instead, follicles develop naturally.
Urologist: A physician specializing in male urinary tract problems who is particularly knowledgeable about penile and testicular function.
Uterine factor: A cause of infertility related to defects in the uterus.
Vaginal ultrsound: Visualization of soft tissue by projecting sound waves through a probe that is inserted into the vagina. A baseline ultrasound shows the ovaries in their unstimulated state. A follicular ultrasound shows egg follicle maturation. A pregnancy ultrasound shows if a pregnancy is intrauterine or tubal and measures growth of the fetus.
TSH: Thyroid Stimulating Hormone is released by the pituitary gland to increase thyroid hormone production. TSH results can reveal whether thyroid function is normal, which is necessary for normal ovulation.
Zygote: An embryo in the early stages of development.
Zygote Intra-Fallopian Transfer (ZIFT): Zygote intra-fallopian transfer involves in vitro fertilization with a transfer of the zygote into the fallopian tube. The zygote is an egg that has fertilized, but not yet divided.
