Understanding Terminology Relating To Infertility
- Abandoned cycle:
An IVF cycle cancelled after
drug administration has begun and before egg collection.
- Abortion:
Pregnancy lost before the
fetus can survive independently.(threatening or
tendency to) Homoeopathy is highly effective in the prevention of
abortion, in the acute threatening stage as well as the tendency
thereto. Women who had suffered as many as six abortions in
succession have been effectively treated, allowing them the
blessing of healthy pregnancy and children therafter.
- Acrosome:
Cap-like structure that
surround the sperm head and contains enzymes that help
penetration of the egg.
- Acrosome reaction:
Chemical changes that enable
a sperm to penetrate an egg.
- Adhesions (Scar Tissue):
Bands of fibrous scar tissue
that may bind the pelvic organs or loops of bowel together. Adhesions are important in the treatment of infertility. The infertility treatments of most drugless therapies like Chiropractic, Physiotherapy, Reflexology and Acupuncture are focussed almost exclusively on adhesions / scar tissue. Laparoscopy is often employed from the conventional medical perspective. Homeopathy is renowned for its treatment of adhesions and there are a number of Homeopathic medicines that have a direct specific effect on adhesions, anywhere in the body.
- Adrenal gland:
A pair of hormone producing
glands located above the kidneys.
- Agglutination:
Clumping sperm together due
to infection, inflammation or antibodies.
- AID:
Artificial Insemination by
Donor.
- AIDS:
Acquired immune-deficiency
syndrome; a fatal disease caused by HIV that destroys the immune
system's ability to fight infection.
- AIH:
Artificial Insemination by
Husband.
- Amenorrhoea:
Absence of menstrual cycles
for six months or longer. Treated with Homoeopathy, menses are
restored naturally without the use of dagerous hormone therapy. A
woman aged 25 who had never menstruated since birth was
successfully treated and started menstruating after only three
months of homoeopathic treatment.
- Amniocentesis:
A procedure which is usually
carried out at around 15-16 weeks of pregnancy. It involves
aspirating a small amount of the fluid which surround the baby in
the womb. This fluid contains cells from the baby which can then
be cultured and tested to determine the baby's chromosome. The
procedure is usually performed under ultrasound scan using a fine
needle. The risk of causing miscarriage by this procedure is
between 0.5 - 1%. The results often take two to three weeks.
- Androgens:
Male sex hormones that are
present in both men and women but in different quantities and
producing different effects.
- Andrologist:
A specialist in male
infertility.
- Anomaly:
Malformation or abnormality
in any part of the baby.
- Anovulation:
Absence of ovulation (failure
to ovulate).
- Antisperm antibodies:
Antibodies produced by the
immune system against sperm. It adversely affects sperm function
by inhibiting movement of sperm and fertilization. It can be
present in males and females.
- Artificial insemination:
Is placing sperm into the
female reproductive tract.
- Aspermia:
Absence of semen.
- ASRM:
The American Society for
Reproductive Medicine.
- Assisted hatching:
The mechanical, chemical or
laser breaching of the gelatinous coating of the egg (zona
pellucida).
- Asthenozoospermia:
Low sperm motility.
- Asymptomatic:
Without any symptoms.
- Atresia:
Degeneration and resorption
of a follicle before it reaches maturity and ruptures.
- Azoospermia:
The complete absence of sperm
in the ejaculate, is present in about 1% of all men and in 10-15%
of infertile men.
- Basal body temperature
(BBT) chart:
Charting BBT is used to
predict the time of ovulation.
- Beta hCG test:
A blood test used to detect
very early pregnancy and evaluate development.
- Biochemical pregnancy:
When the patient's
pregnancy test is positive but no pregnancy is visible on
ultrasound scan.
- Biopsy:
The removal of a piece of
tissue for microscopic examination.
- Blastocyst:
An advanced stage of embryo
development, the embryo consists of an outer thin layer of cells,
which later develops to placenta and an inner cell mass later
develops to fetus.
- Blastocyst transfer:
The transfer of one or more
embryos at the blastocyst stage into the uterine cavity.
- Blighted ovum (anembryonic
pregnancy):
Fertilized egg that failed to
develop properly after implantation. Gestation sac develops in
the absence of an embryo.
- Bromocriptine (Parlodel):
Tablets used to reduce
prolactin production and reduce tumor when present.
- Buserelin:
Is a GnRh agonist drug used
as a nasal spray or by daily injection.
- Cervicitis:
Inflammation of the cervix.
- Cervix:
Neck of womb. It acts as a
reservoir for sperm and secretes an alkaline mucus which protect
sperm from the acidity of the vagina.
- Cervical mucus:
The secretion in the cervical
canal. The amount and texture changes during the menstrual cycle.
- Cervical smear (PAP smear):
A screening test for cancer
of the neck of the womb.
- Chemotherapy:
The use of anticancer drugs
to treat or control cancer.
- Chlamydia:
A sexually transmitted
disease, it is a common cause of pelvic infection and subsequent
tubal damage and infertility.
- Chocolate (Endometriosis)
cyst:
A cyst inside the ovary
filled with old blood. It occurs in Endometriosis.
- Chorionic villus sampling
(CVS):
A procedure which involve
taking a biopsy from the placenta to test the fetus for genetic
abnormalities. It is usually carried out under ultrasound scan at
about eleven weeks of pregnancy. The placenta has the same
genetic make-up as the baby. There is a 2-3% risk of the
procedure causing a miscarriage.
- Chromosomes:
Thread like structures that
lie inside the nucleus of a cell. A human cell contains 23 pairs
of chromosomes. Chromosomes are packed up with genes which carry
all the information needed for the human body. The 23 pairs of
chromosomes include a pair of sex chromosomes that determine the
sex of the embryo. There are two types of sex chromosomes, X and
Y - the Y is smaller than the X and contain all the essential
genes for sex determination. The presence of a Y chromosome
ensures a male (XY), its absence ensures a female (XX).
- Cilia:
Hairlike projections from the
cells lining the Fallopian tubes. They play a part in guiding the
fertilized egg into the uterus.
- Clinical pregnancy:
A pregnancy confirmed by
increasing levels of hCG and the presence of a gestational sac
detected by ultrasound scan or a fetus.
- Clomiphene (clomid):
A fertility drug (anti
estrogen tablet) used to stimulate ovulation.
- Clone:
A group of embryos or
individuals that are genetically identical.
- Congenital:
A defect existing since
birth.
- Cornua:
The horns of the uterus where
the Fallopian tubes join the uterine cavity.
- Cryopreservation:
The storage of the sperm,
embryos or eggs by freezing at a low temperature (-196°C).
- Cryptorchidism:
Failure of one or both
testicles to descend into the scrotum.
- Cyst:
Sac filled with fluid.
- Cystic fibrosis:
A common genetic disease. If
both partners carry the gene, there is a 25% chance that the
child will have the disease. This is unpleasant and currently
there is no cure. It affects the lungs, bowels, pancreas, sweat
glands etc.
- Cytomegalovirus infection:
Infection caused by the
cytomegalovirus. Primary infection of the mother during pregnancy
may result in the death of the fetus or serious generalized
disease of the newborn. More commonly, congenital infection
follows a benign course though about 10% of affected children may
subsequently be mentally retarded.
- D & C:
Dilatation and Curettage. It
is the dilatation of the cervical canal followed by the scrapping
of the uterine lining.
- Dilator:
An instrument used to enlarge
a small opening.
- Danazol:
A drug, which reduces
estrogen levels and is often used to treat Endometriosis.
- Diagnostic laparoscopy:
The insertion of a fibre
optic telescope into the abdomen to look for abnormalities of the
internal pelvic organs.
- DIPI:
Direct intraperitoneal
insemination. This is the injection of washed and prepared sperm
into the peritoneal cavity under ultrasound guidance.
- Dizygotic:
Derived from two. Dizygotic
twins were two seperate eggs fertilized by seperate sperm.
- Donor insemination:
The insemination of donor
sperm into the vagina, the cervix, the womb, the tube or
peritoneum.
- DOT:
Direct Oocyte (egg) Transfer
into the uterus.
- Down-regulation:
Suppression of the natural
secretion of gonadotropins by using GnRh analogues.
- Down's syndrome:
A genetic disorder caused by
the presence of an extra chromosome 21.
- Duchenne muscular
dystrophy:
An inherited sex-linked
muscular disease.
- Dysfunctional:
Abnormal function.
- Ectopic pregnancy:
A pregnancy outside the
uterine cavity.
- Egg collection:
The procedure by which eggs
are collected from the woman's ovaries.
- Egg donor:
A woman who donates her eggs.
- Egg recipient:
A woman who receives embryos
created with donor eggs.
- Ejaculate (semen):
The sperm and the seminal
fluid that comes out of the urethra when a man has an orgasm.
- Ejaculatory ducts:
A pair of ducts; each formed
by the joining of a seminal vesicle with a vas deferens.
- Embryo:
A fertilized egg up to eight
weeks of development.
- Embryo donor:
A couple who donate their
spare embryos to either infertile couples or for research
purposes.
- Embryo recipient:
A woman who receives one or
more donated embryos.
- Embryo transfer:
The replacement of one or
more embryos into the uterine cavity.
- Endometrium:
The lining of the womb, it
undergoes cyclical changes during the menstrual cycle.
Endometriosis
The presence of small
implants of endometrial tissue outside the uterus in abnormal
locations.
- Epididymis:
Coiled tubing outside the
testicles which store the sperm.
- Estradiol:
The main female hormone.
- Epididymitis:
Inflammation of the
epididymis
- ERPC:
Evacuation of Retained
Products of Conception.
- Estrogens (Oestrogens):
Female sex hormones, a group
of hormones that are produced mainly by the ovaries. They are
essential for normal sexual development (the breasts, vagina,
womb, broad hips and rounded figure etc.) and for the
reproductive system (make the cervical mucus amenable to the
entry of sperm, prepare the endometrium and regulate the
production of FSH and LH).
- Estradiol (Oestradiol):
The most potent naturally
occurring estrogens in humans.
- Fallopian tubes:
A pair of tubes between the
uterus and ovaries, where the sperm and egg meet in normal
conception.
- Fertilization
(fertilisation):
The penetration of an egg by
sperm to initiate embryo development.
- Fetus:
The term used for an embryo
after the eighth week of development until birth.
- Fibroids:
Benign tumor made of uterine
muscle and connective tissue.
- Fimbria:
The finger like ends of the
Fallopian tubes that sweep over the surface of the ovary, and
help to direct the egg into the tube.
- Flow cytometry:
A method of sperm sorting
used for sex selection. X and Y chromosome bearing sperm are
stained with different flourescent dyes and then can be sorted by
colour.
- Follicle:
A fluid filled cyst in the
ovary in which the egg develops.
- Follicular phase:
The first half of the
menstrual cycle before ovulation.
- Frigidity:
The inability to become
sexually aroused.
- FSH:
Follicle stimulating hormone
is secreted by the pituitary gland. It stimulates the growth of
follicles in the female, and sperm production in the male.
- Fundus:
The upper region of the
uterus. The Fallopian tube open into the opposite corners of the
fundus.
- Galactorrhoea:
Abnormal milk secretion from
the breasts.
- Gamete:
The male sperm or the female
egg.
- Gene:
The unit of inheritence.
Everyone inherits two copies of each gene. One from the father,
and one from the mother.
- Genome:
The basic sets of genes in a
chromosome.
- Gestational sac:
A fluid filled sac that
develops within the cavity of the womb early in pregnancy.
- GIFT:
Gamete Intra-Fallopian
Transfer.
- Gonads:
Sex organs, the ovaries in
the females and the testes in the males.
- Gonal-F:
A recombinant (genetically
engineered) human follicular stimulating hormone, known as a
'fertility drug'.
- Gonorrhoea:
A sexually transmitted
disease that can cause pelvic infection and subsequent pelvic
damage and infertility.
- GnRh:
Gonadotropin-releasing
hormone, is a hormone secreted by the hypothalamus. It stimulates
the pituitary gland to release FSH and LH. GnRh preparation are
produced synthetically.
- GnRh analogues:
A synthetic hormone similar
to the natural gonadotropin releasing hormone. Two types are
available: agonists and antagonists.
- Gonadotropins:
Fertility drugs given by
injection to stimulate the sex glands to produce many
follicles. They are similar in composition to the natural FSH and
LH produced by the pituitary gland.
- Habitual abortion:
Repeat miscarriages.
- Hemophilia:
A sex-linked inherited blood
disease found almost exclusively in men. It is characterized by
delayed blood clotting and difficulty in controlling hemorrhage,
even after minor injury.
- Hereditary:
A disease transmitted from
one's ancestors.
- Hepatitis B and C:
Viruses that may be
transmitted sexually or by blood and can cause infection of the
liver which can lead to jaundice or liver failure.
- hCG:
Human Chorionic Gonadotropin
hormone (hCG) is produced in early pregnancy to stimulate the
corpus luteum to produce the hormone progesterone and estrogen,
and is excreted in the urine (the substance detected in pregnancy
tests). Also, hCG may be given by injection to induce ovulation
and to support the luteal phase in females. It stimulates the
production of the male hormone testosterone in males.
- HIV:
The Human Immuno-deficiency
Virus (HIV) is a virus that causes Acquired Immuno Deficiency
syndrome (AIDS).
- HFEA:
Human Fertilisation and
Embryology Authority in the UK.
- Hirsutism:
Abnormal or excessive hair
growth in the body and face.
- hMG:
Human Menopausal
Gonadotropin. It consists of FSH and LH.
- Hormones:
Chemical substances (chemical
messengers) secreted by endocrine glands, to regulate activities
of certain cells and organs.
- HRT:
Hormone Replacement
Treatment.
- Humegon:
A fertility drug which is
given by injection. It is consists of FSH and LH.
- Huntington's disease:
An inherited sex-linked
nervous disease that develops in adulthood and leads to a state
of deteriorated mentality.
- Hydrosalpinx:
A blocked, dilated and fluid
filled Fallopian tube.
- Hypothalamus:
A small gland in the base of
the brain and above the pituitary gland. It controls many body
functions such as temperature and appetite, and regulates the
secretion of hormones by the pituitary gland.
- Hyperprolactinemia:
This is the name given to the
excess production of the hormone prolactin in both males or
females. It may cause ovulation and menstrual disorders in
females and sexual dysfunction in males. There are many causes
including hypothyroidism, side effects of certain drugs and
pituitary tumor.
- Hyperthyroidism:
Over production of the
thyroid hormone by the thyroid gland.
- Hypothyroidism:
Under production of the
thyroid hormone by the thyroid gland.
- Hysterectomy:
Surgical removal of the
uterus.
- Hysterosalpingogram (HSG):
An X-ray of the uterus and
womb in which a radio opaque dye is injected through the cervix
into the uterus and tubes.
- Hysteroscope:
A thin fibre optic telescope
that is inserted through the cervix to inspect the inside of the
uterus.
- ICSI:
Intra Cytoplasmic Sperm
Injection is a variation of IVF treatment, where a single sperm
is injected into the cytoplasm of an egg.
- Idiopathic:
No causes found.
- Implantation:
The bedding of the embryo
into the lining of the womb.
- Impotence:
Inability of a man to have or
maintain an erection.
- Infertility:
Inability of a couple to
achieve a pregnancy after one year of unprotected intercourse.
- Intrauterine insemination:
Insemination of washed and
prepared sperm into the uterus.
- IUCD:
Intra Uterine Contraceptive
Device.
- IVF:
In Vitro Fertilization.
- Karyotype:
Chromosome analysis of a
person.
- Klinefelter's syndrome:
A chromosomal abnormality
affecting males caused by the presence of an extra X chromosome.
It is characterized by small testes, enlarged breasts, and the
absence of facial and body hair.
- Laparoscope:
A fibre optic telescope that
is inserted through the abdomen to examine the inside of the
abdomen and pelvis.
- Laparotomy:
A major abdominal surgery
through a cut in the abdomen.
- Leydig's cells:
Cells within the testes that
produce the hormone testosterone.
- LH:
Luteinizing (luteinising)
hormone, a pituitary hormone that triggers ovulation and
stimulates the corpus luteum to secrete progesterone. In males,
LH stimulates the Leydig's cells to produce testosterone.
- LH surge:
The rapid rise of luteinizing
hormone that usually occur in the middle of the cycle. It causes
the follicle to release a mature egg.
- Liquefaction:
The process by which
ejaculate turns from a jellylike consistency to liquid.
- Live birth rate per cycle:
The number of live births
achieved from every 100-treatment cycle commenced.
- Luteal phase:
The second half of the
menstrual cycle after ovulation.
- Luteal phase defect:
A condition in which the
endometrium (lining of the womb) do not develop adequately for
implantation, mainly because of inadequate progesterone levels or
due to inability of the endometrium to respond to progesterone.
In a small minority of women, the cause can be attributed to
hyperprolactinemia or abnormal thyroid gland functions. It is
characterized by a shorter than normal luteal phase or one with a
progesterone deficit.
- MAR:
Mixed Agglutination Reaction,
a test to check for the presence or absence of antisperm
antibodies.
- Menarche:
A girls first menstrual
cycle.
- Menogon:
A fertility drug given by
injection and consists of FSH and LH.
- Menopause:
A condition when the ovaries
ran out of eggs. It usually characterized by absence of periods,
hot flushes, sweating and mood changes. The usual age for
menopause is about 52 years.
- Menstruation:
The monthly bleed which takes
place if no pregnancy occurs.
- Menstrual cycle:
A series of cyclical changes
that occur in the female genital system each month.
- MESA:
Micro Epididymal Sperm
Aspiration. A procedure to aspirate sperm from the epididymis.
- Metrodine HP:
A fertility drug given by
injection and consists of a highly purified FSH.
- Micromanipulation:
The performance of surgery,
injection, dissection, laser etc. under the microscope using
specialized instruments (micromanipulators).
- Microsurgery:
Surgery performed under
magnification using delicate instruments and precise techniques.
It is generally used to repair small organs such as tubes and vas
deferens.
- Miscarriage:
Loss of pregnancy from the
womb before it is viable (capable of surviving independently
outside the womb). Doctors usually use the term abortion instead
of miscarriage. However, this is confusing to the layman who
understands abortion as meaning the deliberate termination of
pregnancy rather than accidental loss of a pregnancy.
- Monozygotic:
Means single. In monozygotic
twins one fertilized egg seperates into two identical zygotes.
- Morula:
The fertilized egg after a
few days of development when it forms a ball of cells.
- Motility:
The percentages of all moving
sperm in a semen sample.
- Multiple birth:
Birth of more than one baby
from a pregnancy.
- Multiple birth rate:
The percentage of all births
in which more than one baby was born.
- Multiple pregnancy:
The percentage of all
pregnancies in which two or more fetal hearts are present.
- Myometrium:
The middle muscular layer of
the womb.
- Myomectomy:
Surgical removal of a
fibroid.
- Necrozoospermia:
All sperm in the ejaculate
are dead.
- Neonatal death:
The death of a baby within 28
completed days of delivery.
- Normegon:
A fertility drug given by
injection. It consists of FSH and LH.
- Nucleus:
The part of the cell that
contains the genetic material DNA.
- OATS:
Oligoasthenoteratozoospermia
(OATS) means low sperm count, low sperm motility and a high
proportion of abnormal sperm.
- Oestrogens (Estrogens):
Female sex hormones, a group
of hormones that are produced mainly by the ovaries. They are
essential for normal sexual development (the breasts, vagina,
womb, broad hips and rounded figure etc.) and for the
reproductive system (make the cervical mucus amenable to the
entry of sperm, prepare the endometrium and regulate the
production of FSH and LH).
- Oestradiol (Estradiol):
The most potent naturally
occurring estrogens in humans.
- OHSS:
Ovarian hyperstimulation
syndrome. A possible side effect with some fertility drugs. It is
characterized by swollen, painful ovaries and, in some cases, the
accumulation of fluid in the abdomen and chest.
- Oligomennorhoea:
Infrequent periods.
- Oligozoospermia:
Low sperm count.
- Oligoovulation:
Infrequent ovulation.
- Oophorectomy:
The surgical removal of one
or both ovaries.
- Orgafol:
A fertility drug given by
injection. It consists of highly purified FSH.
- Os:
External and internal
openings at each end of the cervical canal.
- Ovaries:
The two female sex glands
which produce eggs and hormones.
- Ovarian cyst:
A fluid-filled cavity inside
the ovary.
- Ovulation:
The release of a mature egg
from its follicle.
- Ovulatory cycle:
A series of cyclical changes
that occur within the ovary each month and result in the release
of an egg.
- Ovulation induction:
The use of fertility drugs to
stimulate ovulation if the woman is not producing eggs regularly.
The aim is to restore physiological ovulation (single follicle).
The aim of superovulation is to override physiology and stimulate
multiple follicle development.
- Ovum (oocyte):
An egg.
- PCOS:
Polycystic ovarian syndrome,
an abnormal condition in which the ovaries have many minute cysts
and there is excess androgen (male hormone) production.
- PCT:
Post-coital test, a
microscopic examination of a women's cervical mucus after
intercourse to check the number and motility of sperm in the
mucus.
- Pelvic inflammatory
disease (PID):
Infection involving pelvic
organs especially the tubes and ovaries. It may result in damage
or blockage of the Fallopian tubes.
- Pergonal (hMG):
A fertility drug given by
injection. It consists of equal amounts of FSH and LH. It is
recovered from the urine of post-menopausal women.
- Perinatal death rate:
The number of stillbirths and
first week deaths per 1000 delivered (livebirths and
stillbirths).
- PESA:
Percutaneous Epididymal Sperm
Aspiration, this involves retrieving sperm directly from the
epididymis using a needle.
- Pituitary gland:
A small gland located in the
base of the brain and just beneath the hypothalamus, it secretes
many hormones including FSH and LH.
PGD
Preimplantation Genetic
Diagnosis, the techniques by which embryos fertilized in vitro is
tested for specific genetic disorders such as cystic fibrosis and
hemophilia before being transferred into the uterus.
PGS
Preimplantation Genetic
Screening is technique used to examine the embryo for aneuploidy
(wrong number of chromosomes), and only transfer normal embryos.
- Placenta:
The afterbirth organ to which
the developing embryo and fetus is connected by the umbilical
cord.
- Polyp:
A small growth, usually
benign protruding from the endometrium and dangle into the cavity
of the womb. It may interfere with embryo implantation by acting
like a coil. Polyps are usually removed surgically.
- Pregnancy rate per cycle:
The number of pregnancies
achieved from every 100-treatment cycle commenced.
- Pregnyl:
A fertility drug given by
injection and consists of Human chorionic gonadotropin.
- Preterm delivery:
The delivery before
completion of 37 weeks of pregnancy
- Premature menopause:
A condition in which
menopause occurs before the age of 40. It affects approximately
1% of women. In most cases there is no identifiable cause. The
only effective treatment for infertility is IVF with donated
eggs.
- Profasi:
A fertility drug given by
injection and consists of Human chorionic gonadotropin.
- Progesterone:
A hormone secreted by the
corpus luteum in the second half of the menstrual cycle to
stimulate the endometrium and prepare it for implantation and
maintains it should pregnancy occur, progesterone is produced in
large quantities by the placenta.
- Prostap:
A long-acting GnRh agonist
drug used to induce pituitary down-regulation.
- Prostate gland:
A chestnut-sized gland in the
male that lies below the bladder and encircles the urethra where
the ejaculatory ducts, the two vas differences, and the urethra
join, it contributes fluid to the ejaculate.
- Puregon:
A recombinant Follicle
stimulating hormone 'fertility drug'.
- PZD:
Partial Zona Dissection, a
micromanipulation procedure to help sperm penetrate the zona
pellucida.
- Prolactin:
A hormone secreted by the
pituitary gland to stimulate milk production after childbirth.
- Pronucleate stage:
An early stage of
fertilization, when the sperm and egg pronuclei are visible under
the microscope.
- Prostap:
A long acting GnRh agonist
drug used to induce pituitary down-regulation.
- Prostatitis:
Inflammation of the prostate
gland usually as a result of infection.
- Recto electro-ejaculation:
A technique used to obtain an
ejaculate from spinal injured, or otherwise impotent men, where a
special probe is inserted into the rectum to stimulate the
seminal vesicles.
- Radiotherapy:
The use of radiation and
radioactive substances to treat cancer.
- Retrograde ejaculation:
The backward release of
ejaculate into the bladder instead of the urethra at time of male
orgasm.
- Rubella:
Also called 'German measles',
it is caused by an infectious virus and is characterized by
general rashes and swollen glands. If infection occurs during the
first few months of pregnancy it may cause severe congenital
abnormalities.
- Salpingectomy:
Surgical removal of the
Fallopian tube.
- Salpingitis:
Inflammation of the Fallopian
tubes caused by infection.
- Salpingolysis:
Removal of adhesions from
around the tube which restricts its movements.
- Salpingostomy:
An operation to open up a
blocked Fallopian tube, where the blockage is at the fimbria end.
- Scrotum:
Loose sack of skin containing
the testes.
- Semen analysis:
Laboratory examination of
semen to check the quality and quantity of sperm.
- Selective fetal reduction:
The process in which one or
more normal fetus in a multiple pregnancy are destroyed.
- Seminiferous tubules:
The tiny tubules in the
testicles in which sperm cells mature.
- Seminal Vesicles:
Tow small oblong glands
behind the bladder, each joins a vas deferens.
- Seminal fluid (semen):
The milky fluid that is
ejaculated at orgasm. It contains fluid from the seminal
vesicles, the prostate and the bulbourethral glands, in addition
to sperm.
- Seminal plasma:
Fluid in which the sperm is
ejaculated.
- Septum:
A wall that divides a cavity
in half, such as the uterine septum
- Sertoli's cells:
Cells in the testes that
nurture immature sperm until they reach maturity and are released
into the seminiferous tubules.
- Sexually transmitted
disease:
Also known as 'Venereal
disease', is any disease transmitted by sexual intercourse such
as gonorrhoea and chlamydia.
- Spermatid:
An immature sperm cell.
- Spermatogenesis:
The production of sperm.
- Spermatozoa:
Sperm.
- Sperm capacitation:
The chemical changes in the
sperm that increase its ability to penetrate and fertilize an
egg.
- Sterilization:
A surgical procedure designed
to produce infertility such as tubal ligation and vasectomy.
- Stillbirth:
The birth of a dead infant.
- Stimulated cycle:
A treatment cycle in which
fertility drugs are used to produce more eggs than usual in the
woman's monthly cycle.
- Subfertility:
Term used to describe any
impairment of fertility without implying permanent infertility.
- Superovulation:
The use of fertility drugs to
promote the growth of multiple follicles.
- Surgical sperm retrieval:
The retrieval of sperm from
the epididymis or testis, this technique must be used in
conjunction with ICSI, as the sperm retrieved by this technique
are incapable of fertilization by themselves.
- SUZI:
Subzonal insemination, where
a single sperm is injected under the Zona of the egg.
- Swim up:
The technique for seperating
sperm based on their ability to swim through a culture medium.
- Syphilis:
A venereal disease caused by
spirochete. Acquired infection is transmitted by sexual contact.
Congenital infection comes from a mother who has been infected
during or shortly before pregnancy.
- TESE:
Testicular Sperm Extraction,
involves retrieving sperm directly from the testis.
- Testis (testicle):
Male gonad which produces
both sperm and male hormones.
- TET:
Tubal Embryo Transfer.
- Thyroid gland:
A large gland in the neck. It
lies in front and on either side of the windpipe, it secretes
thyroxin hormone which regulates growth and metabolism.
- Testosterone:
The principle and most potent
male sex hormone. It is essential for normal sexual development
(muscular body, broad shoulders, hair on the face, chest and
limbs and deep voice etc.). It also plays a key role in the
maturation of sperm within the testes.
- Torsion:
Twisting of an ovary or
testicle and commonly results in obstruction of the blood supply
of the organ. Urgent surgical correction may be needed.
- Triptorelin:
A long-acting GnRh agonist
drug to induce pituitary down-regulation.
- Trisomy:
The presence of three
chromosomes of one type instead of the normal two.
- Tuboplasty:
Surgical repair of damaged
Fallopian tube.
- Turner's syndrome:
A chromosomal abnormality of
the woman in which one of the sex chromosomes are missing. this
results is abnormal development of the ovaries. Such women are
usually of short stature, infertile, and never menstruate.
- Ultrasound scans:
A technique used for
visualizing internal organs, assessing their sizes and shapes by
using high-frequency sound waves.
- Undescended testis:
Also known as
cryptoorchidism. A term used to describe testis, which, at birth
has not descended into the scrotum as normal. It occurs in 1% of
male infants, usually one testis fails to descend. Such cases are
usually associated with a variable degree of impaired sperm
production. Undescended testes may be surgically corrected but
the chance of restoring normal fertility is low.
- Urethra:
The muscular tube leading
from the bladder to the end of the penis and carries urine and
semen.
- Uterus:
The womb.
- Uterine septum:
A band of tissue in the
midsection of the uterus that divide the normal uterine cavity.
- Vagina:
The female organ of sexual
intercourse; the birth canal.
- Vaginitis:
Inflammation of the vagina.
- Vaginismus:
Vaginal spasm, inability to
relax vaginal muscles before or during intercourse.
- Varicocele:
An abnormality where varicose
veins (dilated veins) lie above one or both testicles; they are
present in about 15% of men in the general population, and up to
40% of men attending infertility clinics. It usually causes no
discomfort, but can cause infertility in some men. This may be
due to an abnormally high temperature within the testicles.
- Vas deferens (sperm duct):
The muscular tube that
carries the sperm from the epididymis to the urethra (pleural is
vasa defrentia).
- Vasectomy:
The operation to sterilize a
man, in which the vasa deferentia are cut and tied back. It is
usually performed under a local anesthetic.
- Vasogram:
An X-ray of the vas deferens.
- Viscosity:
Thickening of the semen.
Washing the sperm:
A procedure to remove the
seminal fluid from the sperm.
Welfare of the child:
The social and ethical
considerations used when considering the well-being of an
individual under the age of 18.
- ZIFT:
Zygote Intra-Fallopian
Transfer.
- Zona pellucida:
The protective coating
surrounding the egg.
- Zoladex:
A long acting GnRh agonist
drug used to induce 'down regulation' of the pituitary gland.
- Zygote:
A fertilized egg before cell
division begins.
Why Choose Homeopathic Infertility Treatment? - Read here
Understanding Infertility Terminology - Read here
