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To jump down in the list alphabetically, click on the appropriate letter group.
A-B C-D E-G H-L M-R S-Z
Abortion: Pregnancy loss by any cause before 20 weeks of gestation.
Adhesion: Scar tissue attaching abnormally connecting, covering or distorting organs, such as the tubes, ovaries or other internal organs, limiting their
movement and possibly causing infertility and pain.
American Society of Reproductive Medicine(ASRM):
(formerly the American Fertility Society or AFS) Large multidisciplinary organization serving as a platform for new ideas, education and advocacy in fertility and reproductive medicine issues.
Amniocentesis: Sampling a small quantity of the fluid that surrounds the fetus that permits detection of certain abnormalities.
Aspiration: Removal of fluid and cells by suction through a needle.
Assisted Reproductive Technologies(ART): A group of therapies that employ manipulation of the egg and/or sperm and/or early conceptus in order to establish a pregnancy.
Basal Body Temperature (BBT): The body temperature at rest. It is taken orally each morning immediately upon awakening and recorded on a calendar chart. The readings are studied to help identify the time of ovulation.
Capacitation: A process the sperm must undergo that enables fertilization.
Cervical Factor: Infertility due to previous surgery or structural abnormality of the cervix. Also applied when there are factors associated with the cervix
which inhibit sperm function.
Cervical Mucus: The secretion of the cervix which changes in volume and consistency throughout the menstrual cycle. Its quality is a reflection
of hormonal stimulation.
Cervix: The lower section of the uterus which protrudes into the vagina and serves as a reservoir for sperm.
Chemical Pregnancy: A positive pregnancy test, but with levels of pregnancy hormone too low for ultrasound documentation of a pregnancy.
Cleavage: Division of one cell into 2, 2 into 4, 4 into 8, etc.
Clinical Pregnancy: A pregnancy in which the beating fetal heart has been identified by ultrasound.
Clomiphene Citrate (Clomid TM or Serophene TM): An oral medication used to stimulate the ovary and/or synchronize an ovarian follicle development.
Congenital Anomaly: A non-hereditary characteristic, or defect, developing before birth.
Corpus Luteum: A special gland that forms on the surface of the ovary at the site of ovulation. It produces progesterone during the second half of the cycle which is necessary to prepare the uterine lining for implantation.
Cumulus: The cloud-like collection of supportive follicle cells that surround
the oocyte.
Cryopreservation: Controlled freezing and storage.
Cyst: A fluid filled structure. May be normal or abnormal depending on circumstances.
Donor Embryo Transfer: The transfer of a fertilized egg from a volunteer (may be paid or unpaid) donor to an otherwise infertile recipient.
Donor Insemination: The introduction of sperm from a volunteer donor into a women's vagina, cervix, or uterine cavity, in order to achieve a pregnancy.
Ductus Deferens (vas): A thick walled tubular structure running from each testis into the ejaculatory duct. These structures carry sperm from the epididymis to the penis.
Ectopic Pregnancy: A pregnancy implanted outside the uterus; most often in the Fallopian tube (tubal pregnancy).
Embryo: The term used to describe the early stages of fetal growth. Strictly defined from the second to the ninth week of pregnancy but often used to designate any time after conception.
Endocrinology: The study of hormones, their function, the organs that produce them and how they are produced.
Endometrial biopsy: The extraction of a small piece of tissue from the endometrium (lining of the uterus) for microscopic examination.
Endometriosis: The presence of endometrial tissue (tissue that normally lines the uterus) in abnormal locations such as the ovaries, fallopian tubes and abdominal cavity.
Endometrium: The inner lining of the uterus. The area of initial attachment of the conceptus. A portion of this lining is shed each month with menstruation.
Epididymis: Portion of the male genital tract next to the testis where sperm maturation is partially accomplished. Receives sperm from the testis and continues as the ductus deferens.
Estradiol: The principal hormone produced by the growing ovarian follicle.
Fertilization: Union of a sperm with an oocyte.
Fimbria: The finger like extensions from the end of the uterine tube that aid in gathering the oocyte at ovulation.
Follicle: A functioning ovarian "cyst" containing a wall of granulosa cells which produce estrogen and nourish the oocyte (egg). Each Follicle contains a single oocyte.
Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH): A hormone produced by the pituitary gland which cause the ovarian follicles to grow.
Gamete Intra-Fallopian Tube Transfer (GIFT): A method of assisted fertilization that involves surgically removing an egg from the ovary, combining it with sperm, and immediately placing the egg and sperm into the fallopian tube. Fertilization takes place inside the fallopian tube.
Gestation: pregnancy
Gonadotropin: Hormone that stimulates the ovary.
Gonadotropin Releasing Hormone (GnRH): Hormone produced
by the brain that stimulates the pituitary to secrete gonadotropins.
Hamster Test: see Sperm Penetration Assay
Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG): A hormone of early
pregnancy that can be monitored to determine the age and viability of the
gestation. This hormone is also used as an injection in ovarian stimulation
regimens to cause the final maturation of the oocyte (egg) and its follicle
and eventually cause ovulation.
Human Menopausal Gonadotropin (HMG): A purified extract
of LH and FSH, hormones secreted from the pituitary gland which stimulate
the ovary. It is a commercial preparation used by injection to facilitate
development of multiple follicles.
Humegon(TM): see human menopausal gonadotropin
Hypothalamus: A portion of the brain that acts as a "pacemaker"
controlling the production and periodic release of hormones from the pituitary
gland.
Hysterosalpingogram (HSG): An x-ray 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 uterine tubes.
Hysteroscope: A telescopic device, much like the laparoscope, that enables
examination of the uterine cavity.
Implantation: The embedding of the conceptus (embryo) into the lining of
the uterus.
Insemination: Transfer of semen or sperm for the purpose of establishing
a pregnancy.
Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI):
Placement of a single sperm into an oocyte (egg) using a small glass needle
to penetrate the outer coatings of the egg.
In Vitro Fertilization (IVF):
A method of assisted reproduction that involves surgically removing an egg
from the ovary, combining it with prepared sperm in the laboratory to permit
fertilization.
Laparoscope: A thin, lighted viewing instrument with a telescopic lens through
which a surgeon views the exterior surfaces of a female's reproductive organs
and abdominal cavity.
LupronTM : A synthetic form of gonadotropin (luteinizing hormone) releasing
hormone used to suppress ovarian function.
Luteal Phase: The last fourteen days of an ovulatory cycle, associated with
progesterone production from the corpus luteum.
Luteinizing Hormone (LH): A hormone produced and released by the pituitary
gland. In the female it is responsible for ovulation and the maintenance
of the corpus luteum. In the male it stimulates testosterone production
and is important in the production of sperm cells.
MetrodinTM: Human FSH prepared in an injectable form for ovarian stimulation.
Media: Fluid containing nutritive growth substances enabling cells to survive
in an artificial environment.
Menses: A period. Cyclic (monthly) flow of blood (menstruation) signifying
ovulation, but failure to achieve pregnancy. Onset of bleeding is considered
cycle day 1.
Micromanipulation: A method of assisted reproduction when the process is
manually performed under the guidance of the microscope.
Oocyte: The female germ cell often called an egg.
Ovary: The female sex gland with both a reproductive function (releasing
oocytes) and a hormonal function (production of estrogen and progesterone).
Ovulation: The release of a mature egg from the surface of the ovary.
Ovum (ova or egg): Mature oocytes.
Pap test: A screening test to determine the presence of cervical cancer.
It is done by gently touching a cotton swab on the cervix and then wiping
the swab on a slide which is treated and examined under a microscope. Another type of pap test, ThinPrep, replaces the conventional method by rinsing the cells into a vial filled with a solution that preserves them - a process that improves the quality and is believed to lead to more effective cervical cancer diagnosis and reduction in repeat testing.
PergonalTM:A purified extract of LH and FSH, hormones secreted from the pituitary gland which stimulate the ovary. It is a commercial preparation used by injection to facilitate
development of multiple follicles.
Pituitary Gland: A small organ at the base of the brain that both controls
and is controlled by production of hormones from the various endocrine glands
including the ovary.
Polyspermy: Abnormal condition where the oocyte is fertilized by more than
1 sperm.
Post-Coital Test (PCT): The microscopic analysis of
a sample of vaginal and cervical secretions that has been collected after
sexual intercourse.
Progesterone: A hormone produced by the ovary which prepares the uterus
for implantation and supports the early pregnancy.
Pronucleus: A specialized stage of the oocyte or sperm nucleus before their
union. After this union the conceptus is referred to as a zygote.
Pronuclear Stage Tubal Transfer (PROST or ZIFT): Oocytes are aspirated, allowed
to fertilize in vitro and the conceptus transferred before cell division
(cleavage).
Semen Analysis: The microscopic examination of the ejaculate to determine
the number of sperm, their shapes (morphology), and their ability to move
(motility).
Sperm Antibody Test: In some couples blood, semen and/or cervical mucus
contain substances which hinder sperm action through an allergic or immune
reaction.
Sperm Penetration Assay (SPA): A test where sperm are
incubated with non-viable hamster eggs to determine the capacity of the
sperm to fertilize.
Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology (SART):
Voluntary regulatory and consultative organization of the American Society
for Reproductive Medicine responsible for assisted reproduction.
Testicular/Epididymal Sperm Aspiration (TESA):
The removal of sperm directly from the testis or the epididymis using a
needle for aspiration. Usually associated with sperm injection into the
oocyte (ICSI).
Trans-tubal Embryo Transfer (TET): Replacement of a
cleaving conceptus into the uterine tube rather than into the uterus.
Transvaginal: Through the vagina.
Tubal Patency: Lack of obstruction of the Fallopian tubes.
Ultrasound: High frequency sound waves that can be used painlessly, safely,
and without radiation, to view the internal portions of the body.
Unexplained Infertility: Inability to conceive where no cause has been found
despite routine testing of semen, ovulation, and pelvic anatomy by laparoscopy.
Uterus: Womb. The reproductive organ that houses, protects and nourishes
the developing embryo and fetus.
Uterine Tube (Fallopian): The anatomic and physiologic connection between
the uterus and the ovary which serves to transport the egg and sperm, as
the site of fertilization and support and transport the conceptus in route
to the uterus.
Varicocele: A varicose vein around the ductus deferens and the testes. This
may be a cause of male infertility.
Zygote: A conceptus in which the egg and sperm genetic material (pronuclei)
have united.
Zygote Intra-fallopian tube Transfer (ZIFT):
Oocytes are aspirated, allowed to fertilize in vitro and the conceptus transferred before cell division (cleavage).
Sources: Reproductive Medicine Associates of Connecticut and RESOLVE.
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Under the Direction of Richard T. Scott, Jr., M.D., FACOG, HCLD, Practice Director
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Fairfield County
Norwalk and Danbury Offices
Joshua Hurwitz, M.D.
Mark P. Leondires, M.D.
Spencer Richlin, M.D.
Directions
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Westchester County
John J. Stangel, M.D.
70 Maple Avenue
Rye, NY
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