Fertility Definitions

Fertility Definitions

(The following brief
definitions are not complete or all-encompassing. They are meant to
refer only to the terms' use in the context of infertility treatment.
Please use the enclosed information as quick reference and for
discussion aids with your practitioner.)

Amenorrhea

absent menstruation

Androgen

male sex hormones; produced by males primarily in the testes, and in females by adrenal glands and ovaries

 

Androstenedione

a weaker androgen

Anovulation

absent ovulation

Azoospermia

lack of sperm

Blastocyst

stage of embryonic development about 5 days post-fertilization

Cervix

"doorway" into woman's uterus from the vagina; circular in shape, made of very strong muscles;
synonym: uterine neck

Conceptus

any results of the union of a sperm and egg, from zygote to fetus

Cryopreservation

process by which sperm or embryos are frozen for later use

Culture

special liquid used to provide nutrients and protection for growing embryos in IVF process;
synonym: media

Cytoplasm

usually referring to the area outside the nuclear cell of the oocyte that contains the physical elements or reproduction

Dyspareunia

persistent painful sexual intercourse or when such pain develops after long period of time without pain

Embryo

a fertilized egg that has undergone division or cleavage

Endometrium

tissue lining the uterus; its cyclical build up and shedding strongly impacts a woman's fertility

Epididymis

tubular structure attached to the testicle that serves as a reservoir where sperm mature and are stored

Estradiol

the most powerful and fertility-impacting of two types of estrogen, produced by the ovarian follicle

Estrone

the weakest of two types of estrogen

Fecundity

ability to conceive or impregnate within a given period of time, usually measured as one month

Fertility drugs

all medications used in the treatment of infertility

Galactorrhea

noticeable milk production from breasts during times other than when nursing; often associated with hyperprolactinemia

Hydrosalpinx

blockage of fallopian tube's outer end; results in distension by fluid buildup

Hyperinsulinemia

high insulin levels in the blood

Hyperprolactinemia

high prolactin levels in the blood

Hysterosalpingogram (HSG)

hystero,
referring to uterine, and salpingo, referring to fallopian tubes; a
diagnostic procedure used to determine whether a woman's tubes are open
or whether blockage exists

Implantation

occurs when embryo attaches to and penetrates endometrium; technically, event which begins a pregnancy

Karyotype

results
of a blood test in which a chromosomal map or picture is created,
enabling detection of any existing chromosomal abnormalities

Laparascope

thin tube attached to a light source, allowing a minimally invasive view of the pelvic and abdominal interior and organs

Laparascopy

any surgery in which a laparoscope is used

Mitochondria

structures within individual cells which provide energy for the cell's use; become less efficient with age

Motility

movement characteristics of sperm cells

Oligomenorrhea

infrequent menstruation

Oligospermia

lower than normal amount of sperm present in semen

Oocyte

egg

Ovarian follicle

a small, fluid-filled structure in which the eggs develop

Ovarian reserve

a measurement of how capable a woman's eggs are of producing a pregnancy

Pipette

very small glass tubing used in aspiration techniques

Preimplantation genetic diagnosis

a group of techniques used to detect genetic anomalies in embryos before transferring them into the uterus in the IVF process

Seminiferous tubules

coiled threadlike tubes that make up the testis; lined with a layer of epithelial cells from which the spermatozoa are produced

Teratogen

agent or substance which causes abnormalities in a developing embryo or fetus

Testosterone

the primary, stronger male androgen

Thyroid

gland is located in base of both male and female necks; Important to regulating body's metabolism

Vas deferens

long tube through which sperm travel during ejaculation

Viability

refers to the ability of a conceptus to live and grow, or to a pregnancy's overall status

Zona pellucida

hard outer membrane surrounding the unfertilized oocyte

Zygote

fertilized egg up to the first cellular cleavage; usually about 22 hours in length

FROM:  http://www.fertilitycommunity.com/fertility/fertility-definitions,3.html