We're committed to working with you and your physician - to help you understand the terms and phrases used to describe infertility diagnosis and treatment.

Click on a letter to find a term or phrase:

-- A --

Acrosome - the packet of enzymes in a sperm’s head that allows the sperm to dissolve a hole in the coating around the egg, which allows the sperm to penetrate and fertilize the egg.
Acrosome reaction - a chemical change that enables a sperm to penetrate an egg
Adhesion - a union of adjacent organs by scar tissue
Adrenal glands - the endocrine gland on top of each kidney
Aerobic bacteria - the bacterial organisms that require relatively high concentrations of oxygen to survive and reproduce
Agglutination - clumping together, as of sperm, often due to infection, inflammation, or antibodies
Amenorrhea - absence of menstruation
Amniocentesis - the aspiration of amniotic fluid from the uterus, usually performed at three to three and one-half months of pregnancy, to test the fetus for genetic abnormalities
Anaerobic bacteria - bacterial organisms that survive in relatively low oxygen concentrations.
Androgens - male sex hormones
Andrologist - a specialist who treats sperm problems
Anovulation - the absence of ovulation
Antibody - a protective agent produced by the body's immune system in response to a foreign substance
Antigen - any substance that induces the formation of an antibody
Antisperm antibodies - antibodies that can attach to sperm and inhibit movement of sperm or fertilization
Artificial insemination (AI) - placement of a sperm sample inside the female reproductive tract (See also intracervical insemination, intrauterine insemination, intratubal insemination
Aspiration - suctioning of fluid, as from a follicle
Asymptomatic - without any symptoms
Autoantibodies - antibodies formed against one's own tissues
Autoimmunity - an immune reaction against one's own tissues
Azoospermia - absence of sperm

-- B --

Bacteria - microscopic, single-celled organisms that can cause infections of the genital tract

Basal body temperature (BBT) - the temperature taken at its lowest point in the day, usually in the morning before getting out of bed

Biopsy - a fragment of tissue removed for study under the microscope

Blood-testis barrier - the barrier that separates sperm from the bloodstream

Bromocryptine (Parlodel) - a drug that reduces levels of the pituitary hormone prolactin

 

 

-- C --

Cannula - a hollow tube used, for example, to inseminate sperm artificially

Capacitation - the process by which sperm become capable of fertilizing an egg

Catheter - a flexible tube used for aspirating or injecting fluids

Cauterize - to destroy tissue with heat, cold, or caustic substances usually to seal off blood vessels or ducts

Cervix - the lower portion of the uterus that opens into the vagina

Cervicitis - inflammation of the cervix

Chorionic villus sampling (CVS) - taking a biopsy of the placenta, usually at the end of the second month of pregnancy, to test the fetus for genetic abnormalities

Chromosome - threads of DNA in a cell's nucleus that transmit hereditary information

Clomiphene citrate (Clomid, Serophene) - a fertility pill that stimulates ovulation through release of gonadotropins from the pituitary gland

Colposcopy - examination of the cervix through a magnifying telescope to detect abnormal cells

Congenital defect - a birth defect

Conization - surgical removal of a cone-shaped portion of the cervix, usually as a treatment for a precancerous condition

Corpus luteum - ("yellow body") formed in the ovary following ovulation, it produces progesterone

Cryocautery - cautery by freezing

Cryptorchidism - failure of one or both testicles to descend into the scrotum

Cul-de-sac - pouch located at the bottom of the abdominal cavity between the uterus and rectum

Culdoscopy - examination of the internal female pelvic organs through an incision in the vagina

Cyst - a sac filled with fluid

-- D --

Danazol - (Danocrine) a synthetic androgen frequently prescribed for endometriosis

Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA ) - the combination of amino acids in the cell's nucleus that make up the chromosomes, which transmit hereditary characteristics

Diethylstilbestrol (DES) - a synthetic estrogen (originally prescribed to prevent miscarriage) that caused malformations of the reproductive organs in some who were exposed to the drug during fetal development

Dilatation and curettage (D&C) - an operation that involves stretching the cervical opening to scrape out the uterus

Donor insemination - artificial insemination with donor sperm

Dysfunction - abnormal function

-- E --

Ectopic pregnancy - pregnancy located outside of the uterus, most commonly in a fallopian tube

Egg(ovum) - the female reproductive cell

Egg donation - donation of an egg by one woman to another who attempts to become pregnant by in vitro fertilization

Ejaculatory ducts - the male ducts that contract with orgasm to cause ejaculation

Electroejaculation - controlled electrical stimulation to induce ejaculation in a man with damage to the nerves that control ejaculation

Embryo - the developing baby from implantation to the second month of pregnancy

Embryologist - a specialist in embryo development

Embryo transfer - placing a laboratory-fertilized egg into the uterus

Endocrine gland - an organ that produces hormones

Endometrial biopsy - removal of a fragment of the lining of the uterus for study under the microscope

Endometrioma - a special type of ovarian cyst that is chocolate in color and contains endometrial cells that grow and bleed during menstruation

Endometriosis - growth of endometrial tissue outside of its normal location in the uterus

Endometritis - inflammation of the endometrium

Endometrium - the inner lining of the uterus

Epididymis - the tightly coiled, thin-walled tube that conducts sperm from the testicles to the vas deferens

Epididymitis - inflammation of the epididymis

Estradiol - the principal estrogen produced by the ovary

Estrogens - female sex hormones

-- F --

Fallopian tubes - ducts that pick up the egg from the ovary; where a sperm normally meets the egg to fertilize it

Fecundability - the ability to become pregnant

Fetus - the developing baby from the second month of pregnancy until birth

Fertilization - union of the male gamete (sperm) with the female gamete (egg)

Fibroid (myoma or leiomyoma) - a benign tumor of the uterine muscle and connective tissue.

Fimbria - the finger-like projections at the end of the fallopian tube nearest the ovary that capture the egg and deliver it into the tube

Fimbrioplasty - plastic surgery on the fimbria of a damaged or blocked fallopian tube

Fluoroscope - an imaging device that uses X-rays to view internal body structures on a screen

Follicle - a fluid-filled sac in the ovary that releases an egg at ovulation

Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) - the pituitary hormone that stimulates follicle growth in women and sperm formation in men

Follicular phase - the pre-ovulatory phase of a woman's cycle during which the follicle grows and high estrogen levels cause the uterine lining to proliferate

Fructose - produced by the seminal vesicles, the sugar that sperm use for energy

Gamete - a reproductive cell; the sperm in men, the egg in women

Gamete Intra Fallopian Transfer (GIFT) - combining eggs and sperm outside of the body and immediately placing them into the fallopian tubes to achieve fertilization

Gardnerella - a bacteria that may cause a vaginal infection

Gene - the unit of heredity, composed of DNA; the building block of chromosomes

Gestation sac - the fluid-filled sac in which the fetus develops, visible by an ultrasound exam

GIFT - see Gamete Intra Fallopian Transfer

Gland - an organ that produces and secretes essential body fluids or substances, such as hormones

Gonadotropins - the hormones produced by the pituitary gland that control reproductive function follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH)

Gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) - the hormone produced and released by the hypothalamus that controls the pituitary gland's production and release of gonadotropins

Gonads - organs that produce the sex cells and sex hormones; testicles in men and ovaries in women

Granuloma - a ball of inflamed tissue, commonly formed after vasectomy due to sperm leaking from the vas deferens

Hamster test - a test of the ability of a man's sperm to penetrate a hamster egg stripped of its outer membrane, the zona pellucida, Also called Hamster Zona-Free Ovum (HZFO) Test or Sperm Penetration Assay (SPA)

Hemizona assay - a laboratory test of the ability of sperm to penetrate into a human egg; first the egg is split in half, then one half is tested against the husband's sperm and the other half against sperm from a fertile man

Hormone - a substance, produced by an endocrine gland, that travels through the bloodstream to a specific organ, where it exerts its effect

Host uterus procedure - a woman carries to term a pregnancy produced by an infertile couple through in vitro fertilization

Hostile mucus - cervical mucus that impedes the natural progress of sperm through the cervical canal

Human chorionic gonadotropin(hCG) - the hormone produced early in pregnancy to keep the corpus luteum producing progesterone; may be injected to stimulate ovulation and progesterone production

Human menopausal gonadotropins(hMG) - the luteinizing and follicle stimulating hormones recovered from the urine of postmenopausal women that is used to induce multiple ovulation in various fertility treatments

Hydrotubation - injection of fluid, often into the fallopian tubes to determine if they are open

Hyperandrogenism - excessive production of androgens in women, frequently a cause of hirsutism and also associated with polycystic ovarian disease (PCOD)

Hyperprolactinemia - excessive prolactin in the blood

Hyperstimulation - excessive stimulation of the ovaries that can cause them to become enlarged

Hypothalamus - the endocrine gland at the center of the brain that produces gonadotropin releasing hormone and controls pituitary function

Hypothyroidism - underactivity of the thyroid gland

Hysterectomy - surgical removal of the uterus

Hysteroscopy - examination of the inner cavity of the uterus through a fiberoptic telescope inserted through the vagina and cervical canal

Hysterosalpingogram(HSG) - an X-ray examination of the uterus and fallopian tubes

Immune system - the body's defense against any injury or invasion by a foreign substance or organism

Immunoglobulins - a class of proteins endowed with antibody activity; antibodies

Immunosuppressive drug - a drug that interferes with the normal immune response

Immunotherapy - a medical treatment for an immune system disorder that involves transfusing donor white blood cells into a woman who has had recurrent miscarriages

Implantation - attachment of the fertilized egg to the uterine lining, usually occurring five to seven days after ovulation

Impotence - inability of a man to achieve an erection or ejaculation

Incompetent cervix - cervix with the inability to remain closed throughout an entire pregnancy; a frequent cause of premature birth

Infertility - inability of a couple to achieve a pregnancy or to carry a pregnancy to term after one year of unprotected intercourse

Inflammation - a response to some type of injury such as infection, characterized by increased blood flow, heat, redness, swelling, and pain

Intracervical insemination (ICI) - artificial insemination of sperm into the cervical canal

Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) - direct injection of a single sperm into an egg

Intratubal insemination (ITI) - artificial insemination of sperm, which have been washed free of seminal fluid, into the fallopian tubes

Intrauterine insemination (IUI) - artificial insemination of sperm, which have been washed free of seminal fluid, into the uterine cavity

In utero - while in the uterus during early development

In vitro fertilization (IVF) - (literally, "in glass") fertilization outside of the body in a laboratory; the term "test tube baby" is inaccurate since fertilization occurs in a small circular dish, not a test tube

Karyotype - a chromosome analysis

Klinefelter's syndrome - a chromosome abnormality that prevents normal male sexual development and causes irreversible infertility due to the presence of an extra female (X) chromosome

Laparoscopy - examination of the pelvic organs through a small telescope called a laparoscope

Laparotomy - a surgical opening of the abdomen

Leiomyoma (fibroid) - a benign tumor of the uterus

Leydig cells - the cells in the testicles that make testosterone

LH surge - the sudden release of luteinizing hormone (LH) that causes the follicle to release a mature egg

Luteal phase - post-ovulatory phase of a woman's cycle; the corpus luteum produces progesterone, which in turn causes the uterine lining to secrete substances to support the implantation and growth of the early embryo

Luteal phase defect (LPH) - inadequate function of the corpus luteum that may prevent a fertilized egg from implanting in the uterus or may lead to early pregnancy loss

Luteinized Unruptured Follicle (LUF) syndrome - the failure of a follicle to release the egg even though a corpus luteum has formed

Luteinizing hormone (LH) - the pituitary hormone that causes the testicles in men and ovaries in women to manufacture sex hormones

Menarche - the time when a woman has her first menstrual period

Menopause - the time when a woman stops having menstrual periods

Metrodin(Pure FSH) - an injectable drug consisting of pure follicle stimulating hormone used to stimulate ovulation

Morphology - the study of form, such as assessing the shape of sperm during semen analysis

Motility - motion, such as the forward swimming motion of health sperm

Mucus - secretion from a gland that can be watery, gel-like, stretchy, sticky or dry; fertile mucus is watery and stretchy

Mycoplasm - an infectious agent that falls structurally between a virus and a bacterium

Myomectomy - surgical removal of a uterine fibroid tumor

Obstetrician-gynecologist (Ob-gyn) - a physician who specializes in the treatment of female disorders and pregnancy

Oligomenorrhea - infrequent and irregular menstrual cycles

Oligospermia - a low sperm count

Ovarian cyst - a fluid-containing enlargement of the ovary

Ovarian wedge resection - surgical removal of a portion of a polycystic ovary to produce ovulation

Ovary - the female gonad; produces eggs and female hormones

Ovulation - release of an egg from the ovary

Pap smear - removal of cells from the surface of the cervix to study microscopically

Parlodel - see Bromocryptine

Patent - open; for example, fallopian tubes should be patent after a sterilization reversal operation

Pelvic cavity - the area surrounded by the pelvic bone that contains the uterus, fallopian tubes, and ovaries in women, and the prostate gland and seminal vesicles in men

Pelvic imflammatory disease (PID) - inflammation of any of the female pelvic organs, usually due to infection from a sexually transmitted disease

Penetrak - a test of how fast sperm can travel up through cow mucus

Penis - the male organ of sexual intercourse

Pituitary gland - the endocrine gland at the base of the brain that produces the gonadotropin luteinizing hormone and follicle stimulating hormone, which in turn stimulate the gonads to produce sex cells and hormones

Polycystic ovarian disease (PCOD) - a condition found among women who do not ovulate, characterized by multiple ovarian cysts and increased androgen production

Polyp - a growth or tumor on an internal surface, usually benign

Post-coital test (PCT) - microscopic examination of a woman's cervical mucus at the fertile time of the cycle to determine the number and motility of sperm following intercourse

Pre-embryo - a fertilized egg in the early stage of development prior to cell division

Progesterone - the female hormone, produced by the corpus luteum after ovulation, that prepares the uterine lining for implantation of a fertilized egg and helps maintain the pregnancy

Prolactin - the pituitary hormone that in high amounts stimulates milk production

Prostate gland - the male gland encircling the urethra that produces one third of the fluid in the ejaculate

Prostaglandins - a group of hormone-like chemicals that have various effects on reproductive organs; so named because they were first discovered in the prostate gland

Reproductive endocrinologist - an ob-gyn who specializes in the treatment of hormonal disorders that affect reproductive function

Reproductive surgeon - an ob-gyn or urologist who specializes in the surgical correction of anatomical disorders that impair reproductive function

Testicle - the male gonad; produces sperm and male sex hormones

Testicular biopsy - the removal of a fragment of a testicle for examination under the microscope

Testosterone - the primary male sex hormone

Thyroid gland - the endocrine gland in the front of the neck that produces thyroid hormones, which regulate the body's metabolism

Tocolytic - a drug that relaxes smooth muscles and therefore interferes with uterine contractions; frequently used to stop premature labor

Total effective sperm count - an estimate of the number of sperm in an ejaculate capable of fertilization; total sperm count X percent motility X percent forward progressive motility X percent normal morphology

Tubal ligation - surgical sterilization of a woman by obstructing or "tying" the fallopian tubes

Tuboplasty - plastic or reconstructive surgery on the fallopian tubes to correct abnormalities that cause infertility

Tumor - an abnormal growth of tissue that can be benign or malignant (cancerous)

Ultrasound (US) - use of high-frequency sound waves for creating an image of internal body parts

Ureaplasma - a microorganism similar to mycoplasma

Urethra - the tube through which urine from the bladder is expelled

Urologist - a physician who specializes in the surgical treatment of disorders of the urinary tract and male reproductive tract

Uterus - the womb; female reproductive organ that nourishes the fetus until birth

Vagina - the female organ of sexual intercourse; the birth canal

Vaginitis - inflammation of the vagina

Varicocele - varicose veins in the scrotum

Vas deferens - the tubes that connect sperm and testicular fluid to the ejaculatory ducts

Vasectomy - surgical sterilization of a man by interrupting both vas deferens

Vasectomy reversal - surgical repair of a previous vasectomy for a man who wants to regain his fertility

Vasogram - an X-ray study of the vas deferens

Virus - a microscopic infectious organism that reproduces inside living cells

Zona pellucida - the protective coating surrounding the egg

Zygote - an egg that has been fertilized but not yet divided

Zygote Intra Fallopian transfer (ZIFT) in vitro fertilization with a transfer of the zygote into the fallopian tube; a combination of in vitro fertilization and gamete intrafallopian transfer