Glossary

Adhesion: A fibrous band of scar tissue that binds together normally separate anatomical structures.

Amenorrhea: Abnormal suppression or absence of menstruation.

Androgen: Any of several steroid hormones that regulate the growth, development and function of the male reproductive system. The major androgen is testosterone. Androgens are also produced by women and can lead to infertility when in excess, as in the case of polycystic ovarian syndrome.

Anovulation: The absence of ovulation.

Artificial insemination (AI): The injection of sperm into the vagina or uterus by means of a syringe rather than by sexual intercourse. Also known as intrauterine insemination.

Assisted reproductive technology (ART): All treatments or procedures that involve the handling of human eggs and sperm in a laboratory for the purpose of establishing a pregnancy. Types of ART include IVF, GIFT, ZIFT, embryo or egg cryopreservation, egg or embryo donation and surrogate birth.

Basal body temperature (BBT): Body temperature when taken at its lowest point, usually in the morning before getting out of bed or talking. BBT charting is used to predict ovulation.

Baseline ultrasound: An ultrasound examination conducted at the outset of therapy in order to determine the general position and condition of the ovaries.

Blastocyst transfer: Transfer of an embryo to the uterus after it has been allowed to grow in the laboratory for five days to the blastocyst stage, as opposed to three days, which is typical for a standard IVF procedure.

Cervical mucus: Secretions produced by the cervix. Cervical mucus varies in consistency and volume according to the phase of the menstrual cycle. It becomes penetrable by sperm in the days preceding ovulation.

Cervix: The lower, narrow end of the uterus that forms a canal between the uterus and the vagina.

Chemical pregnancy: An early loss that ends before the next menstrual period is due. There are usually no pregnancy symptoms, but a blood test can reveal small amounts of the pregnancy hormone hCG.

Conception: The process of fertilization, when the sperm meets and penetrates the egg.

Controlled ovarian hyperstimulation: Stimulation of the ovaries with various hormonal medications in order to develop as many follicles as possible, as well as to control the timing of ovulation.

Corpus luteum: A small yellow structure that develops within a ruptured ovarian follicle after the egg has been released. The corpus luteum releases estrogen and progesterone, two hormones necessary for maintaining a pregnancy. If pregnancy occurs, the corpus luteum functions for five or six months. If pregnancy does not occur, it stops functioning.

Cryopreservation: Ultra-low temperature storage of cells, tissues and embryos.

Dysmenorrhea: Cramping and pain experienced just before or during menstruation.

Ectopic pregnancy: The implantation of an embryo in a location other than the uterus. Ectopic pregnancies usually occur in one of the fallopian tubes. When this happens, it is referred to as a “tubal pregnancy.”

Egg retrieval: A procedure used to obtain eggs from the ovarian follicles for use in in vitro fertilization.

Endometrial biopsy: The extraction of a small sample of tissue from the lining of the uterus for examination, usually performed between the 21st and 25th days of the menstrual cycle.

Endometriosis: A condition in which the inner lining of the uterus (endometrium) grows in areas other than the uterus, (usually the ovaries, fallopian tubes or abdominal cavity), causing inflammation and pain.

Endometrium: The lining of the uterus.

Epididymis: A narrow, tightly coiled tube that leads from the testes to the sperm duct and urethra. The sperm travel slowly down the epididymis as they mature.

Embryo: A fertilized egg from the time of initial cell division through the first eight weeks of life. Thereafter called a fetus.

Embryo transfer: The placement of an egg fertilized outside the womb into a woman's uterus. Referred to as a tubal embryo transfer when placed into the fallopian tube.

Estradiol: The predominant estrogen hormone produced by the follicular cells of the ovary.

Estrogen: The female sex hormone produced by the ovaries, responsible for the development of female sex characteristics. Estrogen also stimulates the uterine lining to thicken during the first half of the menstrual cycle in preparation for ovulation and possible pregnancy. Estrogens are also produced in low quantities in males.

Fallopian tubes: Ducts through which mature eggs travel to the uterus once released from the follicle. Site at which fertilization usually occurs.

Fertility specialist (Reproductive endocrinologist): An obstetrician/gynecologist who specializes in the practice of fertility. The American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology certifies a subspecialty for those who receive extra training in reproductive endocrinology (the study of hormones) and infertility.

Fertility treatment: Any method or procedure used to increase the likelihood of pregnancy.

Fertilization: The combining of the genetic material carried by sperm and egg to create an embryo.

Fibroid tumor: Benign (non-cancerous) smooth muscle tumor most often found in the uterus, although fibroid tumors occasionally develop in other organs containing smooth muscle cells.

Follicles: A sac-like structure in the ovary that protects and nurtures a ripening egg until it is released at ovulation.

Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH): A hormone secreted into the bloodstream that controls the growth of eggs and the production of estrogen by the ovaries. Elevated FSH levels usually reflect low egg counts and impending menopause. This pituitary hormone also stimulates sperm development. Elevated FSH levels are associated with gonadal (ovary or testicle) failure in both men and women.

Gamete: Mature male sperm or female egg.

Gonadotropins: Gonad-stimulating hormones. The two principal gonadotropins are luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH).

Gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH): Hormone produced in the brain that enables the pituitary to secrete LH and FSH, both of which stimulate the gonads.

Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG): A hormone produced by the cells of the placenta about ten days after fertilization. Its detection is the basis of all pregnancy tests. It is also administered to women in order to time ovulation. Once hCG is given, a woman predictably ovulates in 36 to 40 hours.

Hypothalamus: A small area in the mid-portion of the brain that, together with the pituitary gland, regulates the formation and release of many hormones in the body, including estrogen and progesterone by the ovaries and testosterone by the testes.

Hysteroscopy: A visual examination of the inner cavity of the uterus using a long, thin instrument called a hysteroscope.

Idiopathic infertility (Unexplained infertility): Infertility of unknown cause.

Infertility: The inability to conceive after a year of unprotected intercourse (six months if the woman is over age thirty-five).

Implantation: The embedding of the fertilized egg in the endometrium of the uterus.

Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI): A procedure in which an individual sperm is injected into an egg.

In vitro fertilization (IVF): A method of assisted reproduction in which eggs are removed from the ovary by ultrasound-guided retrieval following ovulation induction. The egg is then combined with sperm in the laboratory and the resulting embryo is replaced in the woman’s uterus.

Luteal phase: The second half of the menstrual cycle when fertilization and implantation/pregnancy occur. If implantation/pregnancy do not occur, menses results.

Luteinizing Hormone (LH): A pituitary hormone that stimulates the gonads. In the man, LH is necessary for sperm development and for the production of testosterone. In the woman, LH triggers ovulation and stimulates the corpus luteum to secrete progesterone.

Luteinizing hormone surge (LH surge): The rapid rise of luteinizing hormone that causes the follicle to release a mature egg. The LH surge usually occurs in the middle of the cycle.

Micromanipulation: A method of assisted reproduction in which the procedure is manually performed under the guidance of a microscope. Micromanipulation procedures are performed in conjunction with IVF and include ICSI and assisted hatching.

Miscarriage: Spontaneous loss of pregnancy before the middle of the second trimester (twenty weeks).

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.

Morphology: The physical shape and configuration of sperm cells. Normal sperm have an enzyme-coated head, a middle piece and a whip-like tail.

Oligospermia: A low level of sperm in the semen, one of the main causes of infertility in men.

Oocyte: The egg.

Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS): A medical condition resulting in the overstimulation of the ovaries. It can cause rapid accumulation of fluid in the abdomen. Early warning signs include pelvic pain, nausea and weight gain.

Ovaries: The sexual glands of the female that produce estrogen and progesterone, and in which the eggs are developed.

Ovulatory dysfunction: A disorder in which ovulation fails to occur or occurs on an infrequent or irregular basis. Ovulatory dysfunction is one of the leading causes of infertility.

Ovum: The egg.

Pituitary gland: A small gland at the base of the brain, just beneath the hypothalamus that secretes follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) as well as other hormones regulating growth and development of the body.

Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS): A common disorder in women in which the ovaries produce an excess amount of male hormones (androgens). Symptoms of PCOS include irregular or no periods, acne, obesity and excess hair growth. This disorder often prevents ovulation, leading to infertility.

Post-coital test (PCT): The microscopic analysis of a sample of cervical mucus, usually collected within eighteen hours after intercourse. This test determines the quality of cervical mucus and the ability of sperm to enter and penetrate the mucus.

Progesterone: An ovarian hormone secreted by the corpus luteum during the second half of the menstrual cycle after ovulation has occurred. Progesterone thickens the lining of the uterus to prepare it to accept implantation of a fertilized egg. Progesterone is also produced by the placenta during pregnancy.

Sperm/spermatozoon (pl. spermatozoa): The male gamete, or sex cell, that contains the genetic information to be transmitted by the male.

Sperm count (also called concentration): Part of a semen analysis, measuring the number of sperm (in millions) per cubic centimeter (or milliliter). Used to determine a man’s fertility.

Testosterone: Testosterone is responsible for the formation of secondary sex characteristics, for supporting the sex drive and for sperm development. Testosterone is the most potent male sex hormone and is produced in the testes.

Tubal pregnancy: The implantation of an embryo in one of the fallopian tubes.

Ultrasound: A test that uses sound waves to view and examine the fetus or view the internal organs.

Viscosity: The thickness of the semen. Abnormalities in the viscosity or consistency of the seminal fluid can be detrimental to the sperm. For example, if the semen is very thick and viscous, sperm may have difficulty traveling through the semen.

Volume: The amount of seminal fluid in normal ejaculation.