-A-
Amenorrhea - The absence or abnormal cessation
of menstruation due to a number of factors including dietary,
emotional, hormonal and exercise.
Anovulation - The absence of ovulation (the discharge
of an ovum from the ovary).
A.R.T. - Assisted Reproductive Technology (see
definition below).
Artificial insemination - The process in which
sperm is placed into the female reproductive tract for the purpose
of producing a pregnancy.
Aspiration - The application of light suction
to the ovarian follicle during the egg retrieval procedure to
remove the eggs for use in in vitro fertilization (IVF).
A.S.R.M. - American Society for Reproductive
Medicine: a professional medical organization of health care
professionals interested in reproductive medicine.
Assisted hatching - A type of micromanipulation
procedure designed to improve implantation, whereby the embryologist
makes a chemical opening on the zona pellucida of an embryo
to allow the cleaved embryo to exit prior to implantation.
Assisted Reproductive Technology - A set of techniques
to help couples achieve pregnancy after other surgical and hormonal
methods have failed, encompassing controlled ovarian hyperstimulation
(COH) and intrauterine insemination (IUI), in vitro fertilization-embryo
transfer (IVF-ET), gamete intrafallopian transfer GIFT and zygote
intrafallopian transfer (ZIFT) (see additional definitions).
Azoospermia - The absence of sperm in the ejaculate.
-B-
Biochemical pregnancy - A pregnancy confirmed
by blood and urine test only.
-C-
Cancellation - Ovulation induction cycles for
IVF are occasionally cancelled because of a poor response (not
enough follicles or low estradiol levels) or hyperstimulation
(too many follicles with a high estradiol level).
Capacitation - The alteration of sperm during
the passage through the female reproductive tract that gives
them the capacity to penetrate and fertilize the ovum.
Cervix - The lower section of the uterus which
protrudes into the vagina and dilates during labor to allow
the passage of the fetus.
Cleaved embryo - A fertilized oocyte which has
undergone cellular division.
Clinical pregnancy - An ultrasound-confirmed
gestational sac within the uterus or with an increasing level
of hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin).
Conception - The fertilization of a woman's egg
by a man's sperm to form a zygote.
Controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH) - Pharmacologic
stimulation of the ovaries, generally with gonadotropins and/or
clomiphene citrate, with the objective of stimulating the development
of multiple follicles and hence retrieval of multiple eggs.
Corpus luteum - A special gland that forms on
the surface of the ovary at the site of ovulation and produces
progesterone during the second half of the menstrual cycle.
Its function is necessary to prepare the uterine lining for
implantation by the fertilized egg.
Cryopreservation - Maintaining the viability
of cells or tissue by storing at very low temperatures (freezing)
-- used to preserve and store embryos or gametes (sperm or oocytes).
-D-
Donor Egg - An assisted reproductive technology
employing the use of donated egg(s) in a recipient couple undergoing
in vitro fertilization; the donor undergoes ovarian stimulation
prior to oocyte retrieval to increase the number of oocytes
recovered at harvest and insemination is performed in vitro
with the recipient's husband's spermatozoa; after fertilization
and embryo culture, the embryo(s) is transferred transcervically
into the endometrial cavity.
-E-
Ectopic pregnancy - A pregnancy that develops
outside of the uterine cavity. Usually these are formed in the
fallopian tube.
Embryo (preembryo) - The developing individual
from conception until approximately the end of the second month.
Embryo transfer - Replacement of pre-embryos,
following in vitro fertilization (IVF), either transcervically
or via cannulation of the fallopian tubes with the goal of achieving
implantation and ensuing pregnancy.
Endometriosis - A disease in which normal endometrial
tissue (the lining of the uterus) grows outside of the uterus.
Endometrium - The inner layer of the uterine
wall that contains tubular uterine glands; the structure, thickness,
and state of the endometrium undergo marked change with the
menstrual cycle.
Estrogen - A female hormone produced mainly by
the ovaries from puberty to menopause which is responsible for
thickening the uterine lining during the first half of the menstrual
cycle in preparation for ovulation and possible pregnancy.
-F-
Fallopian tubes - Pair of tubes attached to the
uterus where sperm and egg meet in normal conception.
Fertilization - The penetration of the egg by
the sperm and fusion of genetic materials to result in the development
of an embryo.
Fetus - The developing baby from the ninth week
of pregnancy until the moment of birth.
Fimbriae - The fringed and finger-like
outer ends of the fallopian tubes.
Flare - Use of an agonist starting with or after
onset of menses of the cycle being entered to augment stimulation.
(see also Short Protocol)
Flare protocol of LH-RHa (GnRHA) - An LH-RH agonist
which initially causes the release of endogenous gonadotropins
is used early in a cycle of ovulation induction (follicular
phase) in an attempt to recruit more follicles along with exogenous
gonadotropin administration.
Follicle - The fluid-filled sac in the ovary
that nurtures the ripening egg and from which the egg is released
during ovulation.
Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) - A hormone
produced and released from the pituitary that stimulates the
ovary to ripen a follicle for ovulation.
Frozen embryo transfer (FET) - The replacement
of cryopreserved embryo in a monitored, natural medicated hormone
replacement cycle.
-G-
Gamete - The male and female reproductive cells
- the sperm (spermatozoon) and the egg (ovum).
Gamete intrafallopian transfer (GIFT) - A method
of assisted reproduction that involves surgically removing an
egg from the ovary via laparoscopy, combining it with sperm
and immediately placing the sperm/eggs into the fallopian tube,
where fertilization may occur.
Gestational carrier - A woman who gestates an
embryo (carries a pregnancy for another couple which is not
genetically related to her), and then turns over the child to
its genetic parents. (see Surrogate Gestational Carrier)
Gestational sac - A fluid-filled structure surrounding
an embryo that develops within the uterine cavity early in pregnancy.
GnRH analogs - Synthetic hormones similar to
the naturally occurring gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH).
Gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) - Hormone
secreted by the hypothalamus that prompts the pituitary gland
to release follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing
hormone (LH) into the bloodstream.
Gonadotropin releasing hormone agonist (GnRHa)
- An agonist for a hormone capable of stimulating the testicles
or the ovaries to produce sperm or an egg, respectively.
-H-
Hirsutism - The growth of excessive bodily and
facial hair in women, in a male pattern, as the result of androgen
excess due to tumors or drugs.
Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) - A hormone
produced by the placenta during pregnancy; its detection is
the basis for most pregnancy tests. Also used during ovulation
induction to trigger ovulation.
Human menopausal gonadotropin (hMG) - An ovulation
drug, containing follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing
hormone (LH), derived from the urine of postmenopausal women.
Hyperstimulation syndrome - A possible side effect
of treatment with human menopausal gonadotropin in which the
ovaries become painful and swollen and fluid may accumulate
in the abdomen and chest.
Hypothalamus - A thumb-sized area in the base
of the brain that controls many body functions and regulates
the pituitary gland.
Hysterosalpingogram - An radiographic procedure
in which a special dye is injected into the uterus to illustrate
the inner contour of the uterus and degree of openness (patency)
of the fallopian tubes.
Hysteroscopy - Visual instrumental inspection
of the cervical canal and uterine cavity through a hysteroscope
(telescope).
-I-
Implantation - The embedding of the fertilized
egg in the endometrium of the uterus.
Infertility - The inability of a couple to achieve
a pregnancy after one year of unprotected sexual intercourse,
or the inability of the woman to carry a pregnancy to live birth.
Primary infertility indicates that the patient has never achieved
a pregnancy, whereas secondary infertility denotes that a previous
pregnancy was achieved, regardless of outcome.
Insemination - The installation of semen into
a woman's cervix or uterus for the purpose of conception.
Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) - ICSI
is a micromanipulation technique requires the penetration of
the zona pellucida and oolemma of the egg with a sharp glass
tool through which a single, selected sperm is introduced directly
into the cytoplasm.
In vitro fertilization (IVF) - A method of assisted
reproduction that involves surgically removing an egg from the
ovary (by ultrasound-guided retrieval) after ovulation induction,
combining it with sperm in a petri dish and, after fertilization,
replacing the resulting embryo(s) in the woman's uterus. Also
called "test tube baby" and "test tube fertilization".
Intrauterine Insemination (IUI) - see Insemination
-J-, -K-
-L-
Laparoscopy - Visualization of the ovaries and
the exterior of the Fallopian tubes and uterus by means of the
inserting a surgical instrument through a small incision below
the naval; one or two other punctures may be made through which
additional instruments can be inserted and manipulated.
Laparotomy - Abdominal surgery.
Luteal phase - The second half of the menstrual
cycle after ovulation when the corpus luteum secretes large
amounts of progesterone; receptivity of the endometrium to implantation
of a fertilized egg depends on progesterone produced in the
luteal phase.
Luteal phase defect - A shorter than normal luteal
phase described as suboptimal production of progesterone or
a lag in endometrial development.
Luteal phase protocol - A LH-RH (GnRH) agonist
is administered in the luteal phase of the prior cycle to cause
pituitary down-regulation. The exogenous gonadotropins administered
are the only stimulation given to cause follicles to develop.
This protocol does not utilize the "flare" potential
of a LH-RH agonist.
Luteinizing hormone (LH) - The hormone that normally
triggers ovulation and stimulates the corpus luteum to secrete
progesterone it is produced and released by the pituitary gland.
In the male, it stimulates testosterone production.
-M-
Male factor - Infertility caused by a problem
in the male partner such as the inability to ejaculate or suboptimal
semen quality of sperm preventing pregnancy from occurring;
it might include the presence of a varicocele, cryptorchidism,
chromosomal abnormality, vas deferens obstruction and exposure
to environmental toxins or drugs.
-N-
Natural cycle IVF - In vitro fertilization following
retrieval of preovulatory oocyte(s) from unstimulated ovaries.
-O-
Oligo-ovulatory - A term describing a woman who
ovulates infrequently.
Oligospermia - An abnormally low number of sperm
in the ejaculate of the male.
Ongoing pregnancy - A clinical pregnancy which
is continuing but undelivered at time of reporting.
Oocyte - The immature ovum, the unfertilized
female gamete or sex cell (egg) produced in the ovaries each
month, that contains the genetic information to be transmitted
by the female.
Oocyte retrieval - A surgical procedure to collect
the eggs contained within the ovarian follicles, either via
laparoscopic or ultrasound-guided follicular aspiration through
which a needle is inserted into the follicle, the fluid and
egg are aspirated into the needle, and then placed into a culture
medium-filled dish.
Oolemma - The plasma membrane of the oocyte.
Ovarian failure - The inability of the ovary
to respond to any gonadotropic hormone stimulation, usually
due to the absence of follicular tissue on a genetic basis or
postmenopausal condition (absence of oocytes).
Ovarian reserve - The biologic "age"
of an individual's oocytes; diminished ovarian reserve, which
may be reflected by an elevated early follicular phase FSH and/or
estradiol level, correlates with reduced chances for success
following in vitro fertilization.
Ovaries - The sexual glands of the female which
produce the hormones estrogen and progesterone, and in which
the ova are developed.
Ovulation - The expulsion of a mature egg from
its follicle in the outer layer of the ovary which usually occurs
on approximately day 14 of a normal 28-day menstrual cycle.
Ovulation induction or controlled ovarian hyperstimulation
(COH) - Pharmacologic stimulation of the ovaries, generally
with gonadotropins and/or clomiphene citrate, with the objective
of stimulating the development of multiple follicles and hence
multiple eggs.
Ovum - The unfertilized female gamete or sex
cell (egg) produced in the ovaries each month, that contains
the genetic information to be transmitted by the female.
-P-
Pituitary gland - A small gland just beneath
the hypothalamus that secretes follicle stimulating hormone
(FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH).
Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCO)- Development
of multiple cysts in the ovaries due to arrested follicular
growth, anovulation.
Polyspermia - Fertilization of the egg by more
than one sperm.
Post coital test (PCT) - An examination of a
woman's cervical mucus after she has had intercourse to determine
the number and motility (ability to move) of sperm in the mucus.
Progesterone - An ovarian hormone secreted by
the corpus luteum during the second half of the menstrual cycle
after ovulation has occurred; also produced by the placenta
during pregnancy.
Progestin - A synthetic hormone that has an action
similar to progesterone.
Prolactin - A pituitary hormone that stimulates
milk production.
-Q-, -R-
-S-
S.A.R.T. - Society for Assisted Reproductive
Technologies affiliated with the American Society for Reproductive
Medicine comprised of representatives from assisted reproduction
technology programs that have demonstrated their ability to
perform in vitro fertilization.
Selective reduction - An intentional reduction
in the number of fetuses in women with multifetal gestation.
Semen - The sperm and seminal secretions ejaculated
during orgasm.
Semen analysis - The study of fresh ejaculate
under the microscope to count the number of sperm per milliliter
or cubic centimeter, to check the shape and size of the sperm
(morphology), and to note their ability to move (motility).
Short protocol - Use of an agonist starting with
or after onset of menses of the cycle being entered to augment
stimulation. see Flare
Sperm- The male gamete or sex cell that contains
the genetic information to be transmitted by the male, also
known as spermatozoon (plural spermatozoa).
Sperm density- The number of sperm present per
millileter of semen.
Sperm morphology - Shape or form of the sperm
cells.
Sperm motility - Sperm cells demonstrating any
type of movement.
Sperm viability - Whether or not the sperm are
alive.
Sperm washing - A technique that separates the
sperm from the seminal fluid in preparation for use in assisted
reproduction.
Spontaneous miscarriage - A pregnancy ending
in miscarriage with or without an operative procedure.
Spontaneous reduction - An ultrasound-confirmed
documentation of a reduction in the number of fetuses observed,
be it a "vanishing twin" or a spontaneous loss of
a single fetus.
Strict morphology criteria - In the semen analysis,
a strict criteria for the analysis includes the measurement
of acrosome size, head width, tail length, etc., for determining
the percent normal forms of sperm.
Surrogate gestational carrier - A woman who gestates
an embryo which is not genetically related to her, and then
turns over the child to its genetic parents. Gestational surrogacy
should be differentiated from conventional (or traditional)
surrogacy in that the conventional surrogate pregnancy is the
product of the gestational mother's oocyte and the infertile
couple's husband's sperm. Thus, the surrogate is expected to
relinquish a child which is genetically partly hers. In gestational
surrogacy, the embryo is the genetic product of both the egg
and sperm of the infertile couple which is transferred to the
uterus of the gestational carrier who has no genetic relationship
to the offspring.
-T-
Testicle - The male sexual glands of which there
are two, contained in the scrotum which produce the male hormone
testosterone and produce the male reproductive cells, the sperm.
Testosterone - The most potent male sex hormone,
produced in the testicles.
Therapeutic abortion - A pregnancy ending in
an induced abortion using an operative procedure to electively
terminate the pregnancy.
Transabdominal transfer - The transfer of embryos
or oocytes by placement of a catheter via laparoscopy through
the fimbria.
Transcervical transfer - The transfer of embryos
or oocytes by placement of the catheter through the cervix.
Transuterine falloposcopy - Visual inspection
of the fallopian tube through a flexible endoscopic device (falloposcope).
Tubal embryo transfer - The ZIFT-like technique
using an embryo in its early stages of development. (see zygote
intrafallopian transfer)
Tubal patency - Unobstructed Fallopian tubes.
-U-
Ultrasound - A technique using soundwaves for
visualizing the follicles in the ovaries and fetus in the uterus,
allowing the estimation of size.
Uterus - The reproductive organ that houses,
protects and nourishes the developing embryo/fetus. It is a
hollow, muscular structure that is part of the female reproductive
tract and is the source of a woman's menses.
-V-
Vagina - A tubular passageway in the female connecting
the external sex organs with the cervix and uterus.
Varicocele - A varicose vein of the testicles,
sometimes a cause of male infertility.
Vas deferens - A pair of thick-walled tubes about
45 cm long in the male that lead from the epididymis to the
ejaculatory duct in the prostate. During ejaculation, the ducts
make wavelike contractions to propel sperm forward.
-W-, -X-,
-Y-
-Z-
Zona pellucida - The outer covering of the ovum
that the sperm must penetrate before fertilization can occur.
Zygote - An embryo in early development state.
Zygote intrafallopian transfer (ZIFT) - Transfer
of a zygote into a Fallopian tube, usually done by laparoscopy.
1305 York Avenue
