The following is a list of frequently used words and terms:
Acrosome
A small “cap” overlaying the sperm head.
Acrosome reaction
The loss of the acrosome that is necessary for successful fertilisation. Normally only about 10% of sperm undergo an acrosome reaction.
Adhesion
In infertility, the sticking of ovaries, tubes, uterus, bowel and abdominal lining to one or more of each other so as to affect fertility. May follow pelvic surgery, tubal infections or endometriosis.
Ampoule
Small glass bottle containing drugs.
Androgens
Male sex hormones.
Andrology
The branch of medicine concerned with men's health, particularly male infertility and sexual dysfunction. Andrology is literally the study of man (Greek andros, man). It is the male counterpart of gynaecology.
Anovulation
The absence of ovulation. A period may still occur.
Antibody
In infertility, a compound in the blood, mucus or semen which interferes with normal sperm function.
ART
Assisted Reproductive Technology — the term used to describe fertility treatments such as IVF, ICSI, Assisted conception and Frozen Embryo transfers.
Azoospermia
The absence of sperm in seminal fluid due to blockage of sperm ducts or impairment of sperm production.
Biochemical pregnancy
Is a positive hCG blood test with no evidence of a gestation sac on ultrasound.
Blastocyst
A thin-walled hollow structure in early embryonic development (Day 5/6 post egg collection) that contains a cluster of cells called the inner cell mass from which the embryo (foetus) arises. The outer layer of cells gives rise to the placenta and other supporting tissues needed for foetal development within the uterus while the inner cell mass cells gives rise to the tissues of the body.
Boost
The medication Synarel is used to create an initial surge of hormones from the pituitary gland, which causes development of many follicles. Puregon or Gonal F (FSH) is used in combination with Synarel for several days until the administration of hCG, followed by 36 hours later by egg collection. This is called the BOOST treatment.
Catheter
Fine tubing especially developed for the transporting of eggs, sperm or embryos into the woman’s fallopian tubes or uterus.
Cervical mucus
Secretions produced by the cervix that, at the time of ovulation, assist the passage of sperm through the cervix.
Cervix
The lower part of the uterus that connects with the vagina.
Cetrotide
Injectable medication given to prevent spontaneous ovulation.
Clinical pregnancy
The presence of a gestation sac at ultrasound.
Clinical pregnancy — viable
The presence of a foetal heartbeat at ultrasound.
Clomiphene citrate or Clomid or Serophene
A medication in tablet form taken to stimulate the ovary to produce several follicles.
Corpus luteum
A glandular mass in the ovary formed by an ovulated follicle.
Crinone gel
A form of progesterone that is inserted into the vagina. It is used as alternative to progesterone pessaries following embryo transfer.
Donor egg (oocyte)
Eggs collected from one woman and donated to another.
Donor sperm
Sperm produced from a man who is not the woman’s partner to be used for artificial insemination or IVF.
Down regulation
This refers to the “shutting down” of the messages from the pituitary gland (part of the brain) to the ovary which enables complete control over the events in a cycle.
Ectopic pregnancy
A pregnancy in which the fertilised egg implants anywhere but in the uterine cavity, usually in the fallopian tubes, or rarely the ovary or the abdominal cavity.
Ejaculate
Semen ejected from the penis.
Embryo
The organism in the early stages of growth and differentiation from fertilization to, in humans, the beginning of the third month of pregnancy. After that point in time, it is termed a foetus.
Embryo cryopreservation
The deep-freezing of embryos.
Embryologist
A professional trained in advanced laboratory Assisted Reproduction Techniques who prepares and provides the necessary conditions for the fertilization of eggs, as well as facilitates the growth, development, maturation, and preservation of embryos.
Embryo transfer (ET)
The placement of embryos into the uterus using a fine catheter.
Endometriosis
A presence of endometrial tissue (the normal uterine lining) in abnormal locations such as the tubes, ovaries and peritoneal cavity (in the abdomen).
Endometrium
The lining of the uterus, which grows and is shed each cycle.
Epididymis
A special duct at the back of the testis for the storage of sperm as they mature.
Fallopian tubes
A pair of narrow tubes that carry the egg from the ovary to the body of the uterus. Fertilisation occurs in the outer end of the tube. Easily damaged by Chlamydia infection.
Fertilisation
The penetration of the egg by the sperm.
Fibroids
A benign tumour of fibrous tissue that may occur in the uterine wall. Fibroids can be totally without symptoms or may cause abnormal menstrual patterns. They rarely cause infertility.
Fimbrial ends
The fringed and flaring out ends of the fallopian tubes that picks up the sticky egg from the ovary.
Foetus
The developing human after embryo stage from the ninth week of pregnancy to birth.
Follicle
The cells surrounding a developing egg in the ovary.
Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH)
A hormone naturally produced by the pituitary gland (in the brain), which is essential for the growth of ovarian follicles in the woman and sperm production in the man.
Follicular phase
The first half of the menstrual cycle when ovarian follicular development occurs.
Gamete
The male or female reproductive cells, the sperm or the egg.
GIFT
GIFT (Gamete Intrafallopian Transfer) is where sperm and an egg are placed into the fallopian tube to allow natural fertilisation. Rarely used today.
Gn-RH antagonist
An injection used to suppress spontaneous ovulation during an ART cycle.
Gonadotrophin
Hormones which are capable of stimulating the testicles or ovaries to produce sperm or eggs respectively.
HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) antibodies
A test done on male and female to test for exposure to the AIDS virus. A positive test does not necessarily mean that exposure to AIDS has occurred or that the person has or will get AIDS. A positive test may mean that the antibody is present in the blood, which means that, even though the person may not be sick, he/she may still infect others by sharing needles or having intercourse without condoms. If a woman is pregnant and is HIV positive, there is a strong chance that the baby will be infected with he AIDS virus without antiviral therapy. All couples having IVF are asked to have this test.
Hormone
A chemical produced by an endocrine gland in the body that circulates in the blood and has widespread action throughout the body.
Hormone assay
The measurement of hormones present in the blood.
Human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG)
A hormone secreted by the placenta and extracted from the urine of pregnant women. hCG stimulates ovarian secretion of oestrogen and progesterone and maintains the corpus luteum. This hormone accounts for pregnancy tests being positive. It may be administered therapeutically to males for the treatment of cryptorchidism and as an aid to ovulation in anovulatory women by substituting for the preovulatory surge of endogenous LH.
ICSI — intracytoplasmic sperm injection
The direct injection of a single sperm into the substance of the egg to produce fertilisation. This technique is used when there are very few sperm in the ejaculate, when the sperm show poor motility or abnormal structure (morphology) or have been obtained from the testis or have previously failed to fertilise in conventional IVF treatments. ICSI stands for Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection where the term “cytoplasm” refers to the substance of the egg. This technique is also called microinjection.
Implantation
The embedding of an embryo in the endometrium of the uterus.
Infertility
The inability to conceive or carry a baby to term after 12 months of unprotected intercourse.
Intrauterine insemination
The placement of prepared sperm into the uterus using a fine catheter.
In vitro fertilisation
IVF is the procedure by which the egg from a female partner and the sperm from a male partner are mixed in the laboratory. Provided fertilisation occurs in the laboratory and the resultant embryos look normal, they are transferred into the uterus (uterus) of the female. In natural conception, the egg and sperm meet in the fallopian tube and fertilisation and early development occurs in the tube before implantation in the uterus.
Laparoscopy
A surgical investigation using a telescope-like instrument to have a look at the abdominal pelvic organs.
LH surge
The release of large amounts of Luteinising Hormone (LH) that triggers ovulation in a normal menstrual cycle.
Luteal phase
The days of a menstrual cycle following ovulation up to menstruation.
Luteinising hormone (LH)
A hormone secreted by the anterior lobe of the pituitary (in the brain). Its main function is to mature and release the egg (LH surge).
Male factor
When the male sperm is below normal limits and special techniques are required to prepare the sperm for fertilisation.
Microinjection (see ICSI)
Oestradiol (E2)
A hormone released by developing follicles in the ovary. Plasma oestradiol levels are used to help determine progressive growth of the follicle during ovulation induction. Part of the Oestrogen family of hormones.
Oestrogen
A hormone produced by the ovary in increasing amounts prior to ovulation and by the placenta during pregnancy.
Oligospermia
An abnormally low number of sperm in the seminal fluid.
Oocyte
The egg cell produced in the ovary, also called ovum, egg or gamete.
Orgalutran
Injectable medication given to prevent spontaneous ovulation.
Ovulation
The release of a mature egg from the ovary.
Ovulation induction
The use of medication to promote ovulation in women who normally do not ovulate or who have irregular periods.
Ovulation tracking
The use of blood tests to identify the optimum time for intercourse.
Papanicolaou smear (pap smear)
An important screening test for cancer of the cervix. This painless test is recommended every two years for all women. Women having IVF treatment must continue to have these tests, as they are not performed as a routine part of treatment for infertility.
Pituitary
A gland located at the base of the human brain that secretes a number of important hormones related to normal growth, development and reproduction.
Progesterone
Hormone produced by corpus luteum (follicle which has now expelled the egg) after ovulation and the placenta during pregnancy. Progesterone is important for its role in preparing and maintaining the lining of the uterus for implantation of the fertilized egg.
Progesterone pessaries
A wax capsule containing progesterone which is inserted into the vagina or rectum to supplement the body’s naturally produced progesterone. These pessaries are usually prescribed during IVF treatment.
Pro-nuclear embryo
When the embryo forms, one chromosome comes from the female partner, and one chromosome comes from the male partner. This creates pro-nuclear embryo.
Sperm-zona binding
Sperm must bind to the zona before they can fertilise. Tests have been developed to determine whether this function is taking place.
Testicle
The male sex gland that produces testosterone and sperm.
Testicular biopsy
Open — the removal of testicular tissue from men with very poor sperm production and the isolation of sperm for ICSI. This procedure is performed under sedation.
Fine Needle — this is performed under a local anaesthetic or sedation and involves the insertion of a needle into the testis to remove a small fragment of sperm tubule in cases of obstruction. In this setting an adequate number of sperm can be obtained for use in ICSI.
Vaginal ultrasound
Technique used to visualize the female reproductive system. This ultrasound can detect the presence of cysts and other problems, follicles and pregnancy.
Zona pellucida
The outer protective coat of the egg.
© ISIS Fertility 2010
Canberra Australia