UNDERSTAND THE MEANINGS

All the definitions

We understand that we sometimes may use terms that are unfamiliar to you, that is why we have complied all the definitions to the most common used terms within the fertility industry.

A

American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM): A professional medical organization of more than 8,000 health care professionals dedicated to reproductive medicine.

Assisted reproductive technologies (ART): All treatments which include the handling of eggs and/or embryos. Some examples of ART are in vitro fertilization (IVF), gamete intrafallopian transfer (GIFT), pronuclear stage tubal transfer (PROST), tubal embryo transfer (TET), and zygote intrafallopian transfer (ZIFT).

 

Anti-müllerian Hormone (AMH: A hormone which is often measured in a woman to help determine her egg supply, or “ovarian reserve”. It is secreted by small, growing follicles.

Antral follicle count.: The number of follicles noted by ultrasound at the beginning of the menstrual cycle, usually day 2 or 3.

Assisted hatching (AH): A procedure in which the zona pellucida (outer covering) of the embryo is partially opened, usually by application of an acid or laser, to facilitate embryo implantation and pregnancy.

B

Biochemical pregnancy: When a woman’s pregnancy test is initially positive but becomes negative before a gestational sac is visible on ultrasound.

Blastocyst: An embryo that has formed a fluid-filled cavity and the cells have begun to form the early placenta and embryo, usually 5 days after ovulation or egg retrieval.

C

Cervical canal: The passageway leading from the vagina into the uterus.

Clomiphene citrate challenge test (CCCT): A test of ovarian reserve in which serum FSH is checked on days three and ten of the menstrual cycle and clomiphene citrate is taken on days five through nine.

Cervical mucus: The substance in the cervix through which sperm must swim to enter the uterus.

Clomiphene citrate: TAn oral antiestrogen medication used to induce ovulation.

Cervix: The narrow, lower end of the uterus.

Cryopreservation: TFreezing at a very low temperature, such as in liquid nitrogen (-196°C) to keep embryos, eggs, or sperm viable.

Clinical pregnancy.: A pregnancy confirmed by an increasing level of hCG and the presence of a gestational sac detected by ultrasound.

Cryopreserved: Freezing at a very low temperature, such as in liquid nitrogen (-196°C), to keep embryos viable so as to store them for future transfer into a uterus or to keep sperm viable for future insemination or assisted reproductive technology procedures. At present, cryopreservation of eggs is experimental.

E

Ectopic pregnancy: A pregnancy in the fallopian tube or elsewhere outside the lining of the uterus.

Embryo culture: Growth of the embryo in a laboratory (culture) dish.

Egg (oocyte): The female sex cell (ovum) produced by the ovary, which, when fertilized by a male’s sperm, produces an embryo.

Embryo transfer: Placement of an embryo into the uterus or, in the case of ZIFT and TET, into the fallopian tube.

Egg retrieval: The procedure in which eggs are obtained by inserting a needle into the ovarian follicle and removing the fluid and the egg by suction. Also called oocyte aspiration.

Endometriosis: A condition where endometrial-like tissue (the tissue that lines the uterus) implants outside of the uterine cavity in abnormal locations, such as the ovaries, fallopian tubes, and abdominal cavity. Endometriosis can grow with hormonal stimulation and cause pain, inflammation, and scar tissue. It also may be associated with infertility.

Embryo: A fertilized egg that has begun cell division.

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

Estrogen: The female hormone largely responsible for thickening the uterine lining during the first half of the menstrual cycle in preparation for ovulation and possible pregnancy. Estradiol is the main estrogen.

F

Fallopian tubes: A pair of tubes attached to the uterus, one on each side, where sperm and egg meet in normal conception.

Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH): The pituitary hormone responsible for stimulating the growth of the follicle that surrounds the egg. In addition, it is the hormone in injectable ovulation medications that promotes growth of the follicles.

Fertilization: The fusion of sperm and egg.

Fibroids: Benign (non-cancerous) tumors of the uterine muscle wall that can cause abnormal uterine bleeding and pain.

Follicle: A fluid-filled structure in the ovary containing an egg and the surrounding cells that produce hormones. As the follicle matures, the fluid can be visualized by ultrasound.

G

Gamete intrafallopian transfer (GIFT): The direct transfer of sperm and eggs into the fallopian tube. Fertilization takes place inside the tube.

GnRH analogs: Synthetic hormones similar to the naturally occurring gonadotropin releasing hormone used to prevent premature ovulation. There are two types of GnRH analogs: GnRH agonists and GnRH antagonists.

Gestational carrier: A woman who carries a pregnancy for another couple. The pregnancy is derived from the egg and sperm of the couple. Although she carries the pregnancy to term, she does not have a genetic relationship to the resulting child.

GnRH antagonists: Synthetic hormones similar to the naturally occurring gonadotropin releasing hormone used to prevent premature ovulation. These medications have an immediate suppressive effect on the pituitary gland.

 

Gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH): Hormone secreted by the hypothalamus, a control center in the brain, which prompts the pituitary gland to release FSH and LH into the bloodstream.

GnRH agonists: A GnRH analog that initially stimulates the pituitary gland to release LH and FSH, followed by a delayed suppressive effect. GnRH agonists are also used to help stimulate follicle growth when started at the beginning of an IVF cycle.

H

Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG): A hormone produced by the placenta; its detection is the basis for most pregnancy tests. Also refers to the medication used to induce ovulation and during the final stages of egg maturation.

Hydrosalpinx: A blocked, dilated, fluid-filled fallopian tube.

Human menopausal gonadotropin (hMG): An ovulation drug that contains follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) derived from the urine of postmenopausal women. hMG is used to stimulate the growth of multiple follicles.

Hysterosalpingogram (HSG): An x-ray procedure in which a special media (a dye-like solution) is injected through the cervix into the uterine cavity to illustrate the inner shape of the uterus and degree of openness (patency) of the fallopian tubes.

Hysteroscopy: The insertion of a long, thin, lighted telescope-like instrument, called a hysteroscope, through the cervix and into the uterus to examine the inside of the uterus. Hysteroscopy can be used to both diagnose and surgically treat uterine conditions.

I

Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI): A micromanipulation procedure in which a single sperm is injected directly into an egg to attempt fertilization, used with male infertility or couples with prior IVF fertilization failure.

Insemination: Placement of sperm into the uterus or cervix for producing a pregnancy, or adding sperm to eggs in IVF procedures.

In vitro fertilization (IVF): A method of assisted reproduction that involves combining an egg with sperm in a laboratory dish. If the egg fertilizes and begins cell division, the resulting embryo is transferred into the woman’s uterus where it will hopefully implant in the uterine lining and further develop. IVF may be performed in conjunction with medications that stimulate the ovaries to produce multiple eggs in order to increase the chances of successful fertilization and implantation. IVF bypasses the fallopian tubes and is often the treatment choice for women who have badly damaged or absent tubes.

IVF culture medium: A special fluid into which sperm, eggs, and embryos are placed when outside the human body

L

Laparoscopy: A surgical procedure that allows viewing of the internal pelvic organs. During the procedure, a long, narrow, fiber optic instrument, called a laparoscope, is usually inserted through an incision in or below the woman’s navel. One or more additional incisions may be made for inserting additional instruments.

Luteinizing hormone (LH): The pituitary hormone that normally causes ovulation and maturation of the egg.

M

Male factor: Infertility caused by a problem in the male; for example the
inability to ejaculate or insufficient number of sperm.

Micromanipulation: The IVF laboratory process whereby the egg or embryo is held with special instruments and surgically altered by procedures such as intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), assisted hatching, or embryo biopsy.

Motile: Moving

Also known as selective reduction. A procedure to reduce the number of fetuses in the uterus. This procedure is sometimes performed on women who are pregnant with multiple fetuses who are at an increased risk of late miscarriage or premature labor. These risks increase with the number of fetuses.

O

Oocyte: Medical term for egg, the female gamete. Also called ovum (singular) or ova (plural).

Ovary (Ovaries): The two female sex glands in the pelvis, located one on each side of the uterus. The ovaries produce eggs and hormones including estrogen, progesterone, and androgens.

Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS): A condition that may result from ovulation induction characterized by enlargement of the ovaries, fluid retention, and weight gain.

Ovulation: Release of an egg from the ovary.

Ovulation induction: The administration of hormone medications (ovulation drugs) that stimulate the ovaries to produce multiple eggs. Sometimes called enhanced follicular recruitment or controlled ovarian hyperstimulation.

Ovarian reserve: A woman’s fertility potential in the absence of specific pathophysiologic changes in her reproductive system. Diminished ovarian reserve is associated with depletion in the number of eggs and worsening of oocyte quality.

Ovarian stimulation: See Ovulation induction.

P

Percutaneous epididymal sperm aspiration (PESA): A sperm aspiration procedure in which a needle is inserted into the epididymis (gland that carries sperm from testicle to vas deferens) in order to retrieve sperm for use in an IVF procedure.

Progesterone: A female hormone secreted during the second half of the menstrual cycle. It prepares the lining of the uterus for implantation of a fertilized egg.

Pituitary gland: A small gland just beneath the hypothalamus in the brain that secretes follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH).

Pronuclei: The nuclei of the male and female gametes (sperm and egg) seen in the one-cell embryo (zygote)

Polyps: A general term that describes any mass of tissue which bulges or projects out or upward from the normal surface level.

Preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD): A test performed by an embryologist in which one or two cells are removed from an embryo. The removed cells are then screened for genetic abnormalities. PGD may be performed in conjunction with IVF.

S

Septum, uterine: A band of fibrous tissue present from birth that forms a wall within the uterine cavity. A septum may increase the risk of miscarriage and other pregnancy complications.

Sperm: The male reproductive cells that fertilize a woman’s egg. The sperm head carries genetic material (chromosomes), the midpiece produces energy for movement, and the long, thin tail wiggles to propel the sperm.

Semen: The fluid ejaculated by the male.

Sperm preparation: A method of treating semen to remove the seminal
fluid and isolate the sperm cells.

Semen analysis: The microscopic examination of semen to determine the number of sperm (sperm count), their shapes (morphology), and their ability to move (motility).

Surrogacy: In traditional surrogacy, a woman is inseminated with the sperm of a man who is not her partner in order to conceive and carry a child to be reared by the biologic (genetic) father and his partner. In this procedure the surrogate is genetically related to the child. The biologic father and his partner must usually adopt the child after its birth. Another type of surrogate is a gestational carrier (GC), a woman who is implanted with the fertilized egg (embryo) of another couple in order to carry the pregnancy. The surrogate is not genetically related to the child in this case.

A society affiliated with the ASRM and comprised of representatives from assisted reproductive technology programs who have demonstrated their ability to perform IVF.

T

Testicular sperm extraction (TESE): Operative removal of testicular tissue in an attempt to collect living sperm for use in an IVF-ICSI procedure.

Traditional surrogate: A woman who carries a pregnancy intended for an infertile couple. The surrogate’s egg is fertilized with sperm from the male partner of the infertile couple.

Transvaginal ultrasound aspiration: An ultrasound-guided technique for egg retrieval whereby a long, thin needle is passed through the vagina into the ovarian follicle and suction is applied to accomplish retrieval.

U

Ultrasound: A picture of internal organs produced by high frequency sound waves viewed as an image on a video screen; used to monitor growth of ovarian follicles or a fetus and to retrieve eggs. Ultrasound can be performed either abdominally or vaginally.

Uterus (womb): The hollow, muscular female reproductive organ in the pelvis in which an embryo implants and grows during pregnancy. The lining of the uterus, called the endometrium, produces the monthly menstrual blood flow when there is no pregnancy.

V

Vagina: The canal in the female that leads to the cervix, which leads to the uterus.

Vitrification: An ultra-rapid method of freezing eggs and embryos that may offer certain advantages compared to traditional types of cryopreservation.

Z

Zygote: A fertilized egg before cell division (cleavage) begins.

Zygote intrafallopian tube transfer (ZIFT): An egg is fertilized in the laboratory and the zygote is transferred to the fallopian tube before cell division takes place. Eggs are retrieved and fertilized on one day and the embryo is transferred the following day.