Reproduction

Glossary

Encyclopedia of Fertility

Explore our comprehensive glossary of fertility and reproductive health terms, designed to help you navigate your journey with clarity and confidence. From advanced embryo selection and IVF procedures to hormonal treatments and diagnostic tests, our glossary provides clear and concise definitions for a wide range of terms related to assisted reproductive technology (ART). Whether you’re seeking to understand the intricacies of endometriosis, the specifics of sperm selection techniques, or the steps involved in embryo transfer, our expertly curated glossary is your go-to resource for reliable information. Empower yourself with knowledge and take the next step towards your fertility goals with our detailed and easy-to-understand glossary.

Glossary

Advanced Embryo Selection A preimplantation genetic test that allows the selection of embryos with normal chromosomes for transfer.

Anti Sperm Antibodies Antibodies that can develop in the bodies of men or women and block the movement or function of sperm.

ART (Assisted Reproductive Technology) A term for fertility treatments that aid in conception.

Assisted Hatching A procedure where the outer layer of the embryo (zona pellucida) is thinned by a laser to help implantation.

Blastocyst An embryo five days after fertilization, which has developed a distinct shape with identifiable parts within its fluid-filled cavity.

Cervix The neck of the womb. Embryo transfer typically involves passing a small soft catheter through this.

Clomiphene Citrate A selective estrogen receptor modulator (SERM) marketed as Clomid, used to stimulate ovulation in cases of female infertility, such as polycystic ovary syndrome.

Curettage (D&C) The removal of the contents or lining of the uterus under anesthesia, either by scraping with an instrument (curette) or suctioning with a soft plastic tube.

Digital High Magnification An advanced method for selecting sperm for optimal fertilization using MSOME (Motile Sperm Organelle Morphology Examination).

Donor Insemination The use of sperm from a male donor to achieve pregnancy.

Ectopic Pregnancy A pregnancy that implants outside the uterus, often in a fallopian tube, which cannot develop into a viable pregnancy and can pose health risks to the mother.

Egg Collection The stage in an IVF cycle where a woman's eggs are collected using vaginal ultrasound.

Embryo The term for a fertilized egg once it has joined with sperm.

Embryo Transfer The stage in an IVF cycle where the embryo is transferred back to the woman's uterus via a fine catheter.

Endometriosis A condition where the lining of the uterus (endometrium) grows outside the uterus, such as in the fallopian tubes, ovaries, and peritoneal cavity.

Endometrium The membrane lining the inside of the uterus.

Fallopian Tube The tube running from the ovary to the uterus, where the egg and sperm normally meet.

Follicle A fluid-filled sac surrounding the egg, usually visible on an ultrasound scan.

Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH) A hormone from the pituitary gland that stimulates the growth of follicles and eggs in the ovaries.

Follicular Phase The first half of a woman's ovarian cycle, following menstruation, during which the follicles grow.

Gamete A reproductive cell, either sperm (male) or egg (female).

hCG (Human Chorionic Gonadotropin) A hormone produced by the embryo, measured in pregnancy tests, and used in injections to trigger egg maturation and ovulation.

HyCoSy (Hysterosalpingo Contrast Sonography) An ultrasound procedure to check for blocked fallopian tubes using an injected dye.

Hypothalamus A brain region that produces hormones controlling body temperature, appetite, and hormone release from endocrine glands.

Hysterosalpingogram (HSG) A specialized X-ray procedure to check for blocked fallopian tubes using an injected dye.

Hysteroscopy A procedure, usually under anesthesia, where a small camera is passed through the cervix into the uterus to view its lining.

ICSI (Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection) A fertility technique where a single sperm is injected directly into an egg, sometimes using high magnification to select sperm.

Implantation The embedding of an embryo into the uterus lining 6-7 days after fertilization.

IMSI (Intracytoplasmic Morphologically Selected Sperm Injection) A technique where MSOME-selected sperm are injected into an egg to assist fertilization, using Digital High Magnification.

Intra-Uterine Insemination (IUI) A fertility treatment involving the insertion of concentrated semen into the uterus near ovulation.

IVF (In Vitro Fertilization) A procedure where an egg and sperm are joined outside the body in a lab, and the fertilized egg (embryo) is grown before being placed into the uterus.

Laparoscopy Keyhole surgery involving a small telescope (laparoscope) inserted through the abdominal wall to view pelvic organs.

LH (Luteinising Hormone) A hormone from the pituitary gland that triggers ovulation.

Luteal Phase The final 14 days of a menstrual cycle after ovulation.

MSOME (Motile Sperm Organelle Morphology Examination) A method of assessing sperm shape under very high magnification.

Oestrogen (Estrogen) The primary female hormone produced mainly by the ovaries from puberty to menopause.

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