Terminology

a poison produced by a living organism

an agent that kills sperm

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

a specially formulated solution that enables growth and division of a fertilized egg outside of the body until embryo transfer takes place

a chemical component of the freezing solution used in cryopreservation that protects the cells from damage while frozen

inadequate function of the corpus luteum, resulting in insufficient levels of progesterone and the prevention of implantation of an embryo in the uterus or early pregnancy loss

underactivity of the thyroid gland, resulting in low levels of thyroid hormone in the blood

refers to a spectrum of disorders that result in reduced levels of male or female sex hormones; typically caused by a deficient production of hypothalamic or pituitary hormones

a condition of excessive prolactin in the blood

a sexually transmitted infection that can lead to infertility

the release of a mature egg from its developing follicle in the outer layer of the ovary

the female sex cells, or eggs, which are produced in the ovaries; see also Egg

infrequent and irregular menstrual cycles

the time between menstrual periods; typically 28 days, a menstrual cycle can be longer or shorter

the time when a woman stops having menstrual periods

the time when a woman has her first menstrual period

the post-ovulatory phase, or second half, of a woman’s cycle, in which the corpus luteum produces progesterone, causing the uterine lining to secrete substances to support the implantation and growth of the early embryo or resulting in menstruation absent any implantation

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

the pre-ovulatory phase of a women’s cycle during which the follicle grows and high estrogen levels cause the uterine lining to thicken in preparation for implantation

a small egg-containing sack within the ovary which releases a mature egg during an ovulating womans cycle

the inside lining of the uterus that thickens as the monthly cycle progresses so that implantation of the embryo may occur, resulting in pregnancy; this lining is shed each month with the menstrual period if no implantation occurs

A term most commonly referring to the menstrual cycle

the absence of ovulation

absence of menstruation

see Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STD)

a disease caused by an infectious agent transmitted during sex

inflammation of any of the female upper reproductive tract (uterus, fallopian tubes, and ovaries), usually due to infection from a sexually transmitted disease

a retrovirus transmitted by the exchange of bodily fluids or blood transfusions that causes acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS), a disease that destroys the body’s ability to protect itself from infection and disease

viruses that may be either sexually transmitted or transmitted by contact with blood and other bodily fluids, which can cause infection of the liver leading to jaundice and liver failure

a sexually transmitted disease, which if left untreated in a woman, may cause pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), pelvic adhesions, and tubal blockage

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

the outer protein coat (shell) of an ovum, which must be penetrated by a sperm cell for fertilization to occur

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

an ovum; the egg before it is released at ovulation

while in the uterus during early development

light bleeding or spotting that sometimes occurs when an embryo implants in the uterus

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

the medical term for an embryo from the second month of pregnancy, when most major structures (head, torso, limbs, etc.) have formed, until birth

the fertilized ovum or egg that has begun the process of cell division; the earliest form of human life

the female sex cells produced by the female’s ovaries, which, when fertilized by a male’s sperm, produce embryos, the earliest form of human life

an embryo made up of two groups of cells, an outer shell of cells with an attached inner group of cells; one group will develop into the fetus and the other will become the placenta

the presence of a thick membrane that separates the uterine cavity either partially or completely into two separate cavities, possibly interfering with normal implantation and causing recurrent miscarriages

an abnormal condition of the fallopian tube, characterized by nodules where it attaches to the uterus

failure of the ovaries to produce estrogen or the depletion of ovarian follicles before the age of 40, resulting in the cessation of ovulation

a fluid-containing enlargement of the ovary

a condition in which the cervix is unable to remain closed throughout pregnancy; a frequent cause of miscarriage or premature birth

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

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

excessive hair growth; a condition sometimes occurring in women with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS)

abnormal growths of muscle within the wall of the uterus, which, while not cancerous, may cause irregular bleeding, pain, and enlargement of the uterus; may also interfere with normal implantation of an embryo into the endometrium

a special type of ovarian cyst that is chocolate in color and contains endometrial cells that grow and bleed during menstruation; also known as a chocolate cyst

narrowing or blockage of the cervical canal in such a way that menstrual flow can partially or completely be impeded

a congenital abnormality of the uterus that involves a partial lack of fusion of the two parts of the uterus, although a single cervix is present

a mild deformity of the uterus that involves the presence of a very small separation in the midline of the fundus (the upper part of the uterus) inside the uterine cavity.

elastic, muscular passageway leading from the cervix to the outside of a woman’s body; also called the birth canal

a hollow, muscular organ present in a woman’s pelvis and connected to the vagina by the cervix and to the abdominal cavity by the fallopian tubes in which a fetus develops during a pregnancy; the lining of the uterus (endometrium) produces the monthly menstrual blood flow when there is no pregnancy

thick mass of tissue attached to the inside a pregnant woman’s uterus that provides nourishment to and removes waste from the growing fetus

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

the female gonad; produces eggs and female hormones

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

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

Two narrow, hollow structures or ducts present on either side of a woman’s uterus that connect the ovaries to the uterus and through which a released egg travels to the uterus; fertilization typically occurs in the fallopian tubes if sperm is present to meet the egg.

a follicle that releases an egg at the time of ovulation

the lower, narrow ended portion of the uterus that opens into the vagina and is connected to the uterine cavity by a hollow canal called the cervical canal

a thick mucinous secretion, present inside the cervical canal and produced by glandular cells that are present in the cervix

infertility for which the cause cannot be determined or diagnosed

a process that involves taking sperm from a fertile man and giving it to an infertile couple to be used in an assisted reproductive technology procedure

infertility in a woman who has experienced one or more pregnancies

infertility in a woman who has never had a pregnancy

a method using DNA analysis to determine genetic information on an embryo before replacement

the inability of a couple to achieve a pregnancy or to carry a pregnancy to term after one year of unprotected intercourse in women 35 years of age and younger, and after six months of unprotected intercourse in women 36 years of age and older

a procedure where embryos are deposited inside the uterus, or, in the case of zygote intrafallopian transfer (ZIFT) or tubal embryo transfer (TET), into the fallopian tube

embryos produced from the sperm and egg of one couple and donated to an infertile woman or couple; embryo donation is usually anonymous

the process whereby embryos produced from the sperm and egg of one couple are adopted by an infertile woman or couple who have fulfilled adoptive parenting requirements; embryo adoption usually actively involves both couples in the selection of each other

a process that involves taking eggs from a fertile woman and giving them to an infertile woman to be used in an assisted reproductive technology procedure

the process of freezing sperm or embryos in extremely low temperatures (-196°C) in order to preserve them for future use in ART procedures; at present, eggs cannot be cryopreserved

term given to an embryo that has implanted in the uterus

a term used to describe a number of medical procedures that enhance the opportunity for egg fertilization and pregnancy, such as in vitro fertilization (IVF), gamete intrafallopian transfer (GIFT), Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI), and Zygote Intrafallopian Transfer ZIFT

the process of helping an embryo hatch by making a surgical slit in the zona pellucida or “shell” or by digesting this “shell” with special enzymes

a hormone secreted by the pituitary gland that controls the thyroid gland

along with T3, one of the main thyroid hormones; it reflects the activity of the thyroid gland

the primary male sex hormone that is produced by a man’s testes and helps to maintain the production of sperm

a hormone secreted by the pituitary gland, whose major role is to control milk production, interference with normal ovulation can occur if present in high amounts

a female hormone secreted by the corpus luteum after ovulation during the second half of the menstrual cycle (luteal phase) which prepares the lining of the uterus (endometrium) for implantation of a fertilized egg; also allows for complete shedding of the endometrium at the time of menstruation

a hormone secreted by the pituitary gland, which, along with FSH, is one of two important hormones that regulate ovarian function; LH triggers ovulation and helps to prepare the endometrial lining for implantation

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

a hormone, naturally produced during early pregnancy, also available as an injectable medication to help trigger ovulation in fertility treatments

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

the hormone produced and released by the hypothalamus which controls the pituitary gland’s production and release of gonadotropins

the major female hormone secreted by the ovaries, responsible for regulating the normal growth and differentiation of the follicle and the egg and preparing the endometrial lining for implantation

the principal estrogen produced by the ovary

a type of androgen that may be found in excessive amounts in women with PCOS, or other conditions of excessive androgen production

male reproductive hormones, such as testosterone; may be produced in excess by the female in certain conditions such as polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS)

inflammation of the vagina, typically caused by bacterial or yeast infections

inflammation of one or both fallopian tubes

inflammation of the epididymis

inflammation of the endometrium; a condition in which endometrial tissue implants outside of the uterus, such as over the fallopian tubes, ovaries, and abdominal cavity

inflammation of the cervix

an abnormal dilation of the veins surrounding the testicles

ejaculation backwards into the bladder instead of forward through the urethra

a condition causing male infertility in which fewer than forty million sperm are present in the semen from one ejaculation

a condition in which a man is unable to achieve an erection or ejaculation

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

a condition causing male infertility in which one or both testes fail to descend into the scrotum after the first year of life

the complete absence of sperm; can result from obstruction of the vas deferens (the duct that takes the sperm from the testicles to the urethra) or from failure of the testicles to produce sperm

a condition in which no semen is discharged from the penis during sexual arousal

a long, narrow tube that transports sperm and testicular fluid from the epididymis to the ejaculatory ducts

the male gonad; produces sperm and male sex hormones

two small organs located at the base of the penis in which sperm are produced

the cells in the testicles that provide nourishment to the early sperm cells

the network of tubes in the testicles where sperm are formed

the paired glands at the base of the bladder that produce and store seminal fluid prior to ejaculation

the male gland encircling the urethra that produces one third of the fluid in the ejaculate and that helps sperm pass through the urethra

the male organ of sexual intercourse

the cells in the testicles that make testosterone

the tightly coiled, thin-walled tube where sperm cells mature and are stored and through which sperm move from the testicles to the vas deferens

the male ducts that contract the fluid released at orgasm

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

a brand name hMG fertility medication that contains luteinizing and follicle stimulating hormones recovered from the urine of postmenopausal women and used to induce the development of multiple follicles in various fertility treatments

known medically as a GnRH-agonist, Lupron is a commonly used medication in IVF and in the treatment of severe endometriosis or large uterine fibroids. Lupron can be taken either by daily subcutaneous (under the skin) injections or monthly intramuscular depot injections.

a drug that interferes with or suppresses normal immune response

these injectable medications consist of LH and FSH hormones recovered from the urine of postmenopausal women and are used to induce development of multiple follicles in various fertility treatments.

A recent class of fertility medications that block the effect of GnRH, resulting in a rapid suppression of gonadotropin release by the pituitary gland

a medication that acts like gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) to cause a surge in the production of gonadotropins; when given continuously, however, it suppresses pituitary and ovarian function.

fertility medications in this class are injectables that stimulate the growth and development of the follicles

a medication prescribed to pregnant women during the late 1940’s to the early 70’s to prevent miscarriage and the use of which was banned in 1971 in pregnant women because it was found to cause abnormalities and deformities of the reproductive organs in the children of women who took this drug during pregnancy

an injectable medication that maintains its effect for an extended period of time

the narrow tube present in both sexes through which urine from the bladder is eliminated, and in males, through which sperm also travels

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

a small gland present at the base of the brain that receives stimulation by hormones from the hypothalamus to release hormones that regulate various bodily functions, including ovulation in women and sperm production in men

a class of proteins endowed with antibody activity; antibodies

the body’s defense against any injury or invasion by a foreign substance or organism

a gland at the base of the brain that secretes the hormone GnRH, which in turn stimulates the pituitary gland to produce LH and FSH, thereby regulating various bodily functions, including ovulation in women and sperm production in men

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

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

the reproductive cells; spermatozoa in men and the egg (oocyte) in women

the combination of molecules in the cell’s nucleus that make up the chromosomes, which transmit hereditary characteristics

the nuclear structure of every living cell; a normal human cell has 46 chromosomes, with human gametes (i.e. eggs and sperm) each contain only 23 chromosomes

substances that are produced by specialized cells in the body, called B cells, which attack foreign material that enters the body in order to prevent or fight off infection

fertilizing eggs and sperm outside of the body and immediately placing them in the fallopian tubes to enhance the chances of pregnancy

an imaging procedure, performed either abdominally or vaginally, in which high frequency sound waves are used to create an image on a video screen of the internal structures and organs, or in the case of a pregnancy, the fetus; also called a sonogram

a laparoscopic procedure where an embryo is placed directly into the fallopian tube several days following egg retrieval and fertilization

an ultrasound-guided technique for egg retrieval, whereby a long, thin needle is passed through the vagina into the ovarian follicle, and suction is applied to retrieve the egg; also known as ultrasound-guided egg aspiration or transvaginal egg retrieval

stimulation of multiple ovulation with fertility drugs; also known as controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH)

a procedure used to remove components other than sperm from a semen sample prior to it being used for intrauterine insemination

an incision in a fallopian tube, such as to remove an ectopic pregnancy

removal of cells from the surface of the cervix for purposes of microscopic examination

a procedure in which medication is administered to stimulate the ovaries to ovulate

a procedure conducted under general anesthesia and involving the introduction of a telescope-like instrument through the navel into the pelvis for direct visualization of the pelvic organs

A procedure in which sperm is inserted through the cervix and deposited directly into the uterus, using a fine insemination catheter for the purpose of attaining fertilization and pregnancy; see also Artificial Insemination

a technique to facilitate fertilization, in which a single sperm is placed in a needle and injected directly into the cytoplasm of an egg for the purpose of attempting fertilization

an assisted reproductive laboratory procedure in which fertilization is attempted by placing sperm cells in a special dish with unfertilized eggs; the resulting embryos can subsequently be transferred into the uterus or cryopreserved for future use; (literally, “in glass”)

a procedure where a long, thin, lighted telescope-like instrument, the hysteroscope, is inserted through the cervix into the uterine cavity, allowing the physician to directly examine the inside of the uterus

an x-ray procedure in which a radio-opaque dye is injected through the cervix into the uterine cavity to illustrate the inner shape of the uterus and degree of openness (patency) of the fallopian tubes

injection of fluid, often into the fallopian tubes to determine if they are patent

a procedure where unfertilized eggs, retrieved from the woman, are placed together with sperm in a catheter and transferred back into the woman’s fallopian tubes to allow fertilization inside the woman’s body

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

a procedure where a sample is removed from the tissue lining the inside of the uterus (endometrium) by inserting a small, hollow catheter through the cervix and gently scraping the endometrium while suction is applied to the catheter; the endometrial tissue is then examined microscopically.

controlled electrical stimulation to induce ejaculation in men with damage to the nerves that control ejaculation

the process of introducing a long needle through the vagina and into the ovaries under ultrasound guidance to aspirate the follicles that contain the eggs

a procedure in which the cervix is gradually enlarged (dilatation) so that a sharp instrument (curette) may be introduced into the uterus to scrape the surface of uterine cavity (endometrium)

the administration of hormone medications (ovulation drugs) that stimulate the ovaries to produce multiple eggs; also called enhanced follicular recruitment or controlled ovarian hyperstimulation

a procedure where precancerous cells are removed from the cervix

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

the process of obtaining samples of secretions from the cervix and culturing them on special media to detect the presence of infectious organisms

the process of depositing specially prepared sperm inside the woman’s reproductive tract; see also Intrauterine Insemination (IUI)

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

an obstetrician/gynecologist or urologist who specializes in the surgical correction of conditions and disorders that impair reproductive function

an obstetrician/gynecologist who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of infertility

a physician specializing in the treatment of pregnancy and female disorders

a specialist in embryo development

the woman from whose ovum or egg a child developed and who is therefore genetically related to that child

the man whose sperm fertilized the ovum from which a child developed and who is therefore genetically related to that child.

see Ectopic pregnancy

spontaneous loss of a pregnancy prior to twenty weeks’ gestation

the fluid-filled sac in which the fetus develops, visible by an ultrasound exam; also called an embryonic sac

the ability to become pregnant

a pregnancy in which the fertilized ovum has implanted in a location other than inside the uterus, most commonly, in a fallopian tube

sperm cells that contain the Y (male) chromosome and will subsequently result in a male offspring after fertilization

sperm cells that contain the X (female) chromosome and will subsequently result in a female offspring after fertilization

an estimate of the number of sperm in an ejaculate capable of fertilization

the concentration or density of sperm in ejaculate; usually given as the number

a place where sperm are kept frozen in liquid nitrogen for later use in artificial insemination

male sex or reproductive cell (spermatozoa), which is produced in the testes and that fertilizes a woman’s egg; the sperm head carries genetic material (chromosomes); the mid-piece produces energy for movement, and the long, thin tail whips back and forth to propel the sperm

the fluid containing sperm and secretions from the testicles, prostate, and seminal vesicles that is expelled during ejaculation

the ability of sperm to move and spontaneously propel themselves forward

the semen and sperm-containing fluid released at orgasm

the changes that a sperm goes through to be capable of penetrating the layers covering the egg

antibodies directed against sperm; if directed specifically against the head of the sperm, they can interfere with fertilization; can be present in both men and women

a chemical change that enables a sperm to penetrate an egg

the packet of enzymes in the head of a sperm that allows the sperm to dissolve a hole in the coating around the egg and to penetrate and fertilize the egg

surgical repair of a vasectomy

surgical sterilization of a man by removing a small segment of each vas deferens to prevent sperm from entering the ejaculate

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

surgical female sterilization procedure performed by cutting, obstructing, or “tying” the fallopian tubes in order to prevent pregnancy

the removal of a fragment of a testicle for examination under the microscope

a surgical procedure used to undo a previous sterilization operation and restore fertility

a surgical procedure (such as tubal ligation or vasectomy) designed to produce infertility

surgical removal of the fallopian tubes

surgical removal of a portion of a polycystic ovary to produce ovulation

surgical removal of a uterine fibroid tumor

a surgical opening of the abdomen

surgical removal of the uterus

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

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

a condition in which an excess number of multiple small cysts form on the ovaries, resulting in increased androgen production and anovulation

enlargement of many ovarian follicles due to fertility drugs, causing gross enlargement of the ovaries

the failure of a follicle to release the egg even though a corpus luteum has formed

a chromosomal abnormality that causes irreversible infertility due to the presence of an extra X chromosome

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 the Hamster Test

see Ultrasound Examination

a test that microscopically examines sperm to determine the number of sperm (sperm count), their shapes (morphology), and their ability to move (motility)

a pregnancy test which measures the level of HCG present in the blood and can be used to detect an early pregnancy

a test, usually performed up to 12 hours after intercourse, in which a small sample of cervical mucus is examined to evaluate the interaction between a man’s sperm and a woman’s cervical mucus

a test to detect the arrangement of all the chromosomes of a cell

a test of the ability of sperm to penetrate a human egg

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 the Sperm Penetration Assay

a test performed early during pregnancy, usually between the 10th and 13th weeks, to check for the presence of genetic disorders by obtaining a biopsy of the placenta

test performed between the 16th and 18th week of pregnancy to determine the presence of birth defects in the developing fetus; a small needle is inserted into the amniotic fluid that surrounds the developing baby and the fluid is then screened for genetic conditions such as Down Syndrome

a kit used to detect a surge in luteinizing hormone (LH) which takes place 24 to 36 hours prior to ovulation

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

an X-ray study of the vas deferens

abnormal, benign (noncancerous) growths attached to a short stalk that protrudes from the inner surface of a woman’s uterus

see Fibroid

a microorganism which may cause infection

abbreviation for subcutaneous; used to describe injections given under the skin

a wall that divides a cavity in half

a growth or tumor on an internal surface, usually benign

open; for example, fallopian tubes should be patent after a tubal ligation reversal operation

a benign tumor of the uterus; see also Fibroid

used to describe injections given into a muscle

indirect evidence of ovulation obtained by monitoring the body’s temperature either orally or rectally with a special thermometer immediately upon awakening and before any activity