Reproductive Terminology

Acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) - A condition caused by the HIV virus that impairs the body's immune system and leads to severe infections and cancers.

Adhesion - Scar tissue from previous injuries, infections or endometriosis that forms in and around reproductive organs, possibly interfering with reproductive capability.

Agglutination of Sperm - Sticking together of sperm, often due to infection, inflammation or antibodies, which impairs the ability to fertilize an egg.

Amenorrhea - Absence of menstruation.

Anovulation - Total absence of ovulation. Note: This is not necessarily the same as "amenorrhea." Menstruation may still occur with anovulation.

Antisperm Antibodies - Antibodies that destroy or inhibit sperm. Antisperm antibodies may be present in either the male or female in blood, spern cervical mucus or the fallopian tubes.

Aspermia - Absence of semen and sperm.

Asthenozoospermia - Condition in which the sperm do not swim (move) at all or swim more slowly than normal.

Azoospermia - Condition in which there are no sperm in the seminal fluid. This may be due to a blockage of transport of sperm or to an impairment of sperm production.

Basal Body Temperature (BBT) - Temperature of the woman, taken orally upon waking in the morning before any activity. Used to help determine if ovulation is occurring.

Biochemical pregnancy - An early positive detection through a patient's pregnancy test but no pregnancy is visible on ultrasound.

Cervical Mucus - Mucus produced by the cervix which permits passage of sperm to the uterus and fallopian tubes. This mucus changes in volume and quality at the time of ovulation.

Cervix - Lower section of the uterus that protrudes into the vagina, through which the sperm pass to reach the uterus.

Cleavage - The division of a fertilized egg. The egg size remains unchanged; the cleavage cells become smaller with each division.

Clinical pregnancy - A pregnancy confirmed by an increasing level of hCG and the presence of a gestational sac detected by ultrasound.

Conception - Fertilization of a woman's egg by a man's sperm.

Congenital - Characteristic of defect present at birth, acquired during pregnancy but not necessarily hereditary.

Cryopreservation - Freezing at a very low temperature (-196 degrees Celcius) to keep embryos (eggs) or sperm viable.

Cryptorchidism - Occurs when a testes is not in its normal position in the scrotum. It may be in the groin or abdomen.

Dysmenorrhea - Cramping and pain during the time of menstruation.

Ectopic pregnancy - A pregnancy in the fallopian tube or elsewhere outside the lining of the uterus.

Egg (Oocyte) Donation - Surgical removal of an egg from one woman for fertilization with partner's or donor's sperm. The resulting embryo is then transferred into the fallopian tube or uterus of another woman.

Embryo - Term used to describe the early stages of fetal growth, from conception to the eighth week of pregnancy.

Endocrine System - System of glands including the hypothalamus, pituitary, thyroid, adrenals and testicles or ovaries.

Endometriosis - Presence of endometrial tissue (the normal uterine lining) in abnormal locations such as the fallopian tubes, ovaries and peritoneal cavity, often causing painful menstruation and infertility.

Ejaculate - Sperm combines with fluid from the seminal vesicle and a thick secretion from the prostate gland. This fluid is discharged through the penis.

Endometrium - Lining of the uterus.

Epididymis - Elongated organ in the male lying above and behind the testicles. It contains a highly convoluted canal, where after production, sperm are stored, nourished and developed for several months.

Estrogen - Class of female hormones, produced mainly by the ovaries from the onset of puberty until menopause, which are responsible for the development of secondary sexual characteristics, such as breasts and the thickening of the uterine lining during the first half of the menstrual cycle.

Fallopian Tubes - A pair of narrow tubes that carry the ovum (egg) from the ovary to the uterus.

Fertilization - Penetration of the egg by the sperm and joining of genetic materials to result in the development of an embryo.

Fibroid Tumor (Leiomyoma) - Benign tumor of fibrous tissue that may occur in the uterine wall. May be totally without symptoms or may cause abnormal menstrual patterns or infertility.

Fimbria - Fringed and hairlike outer ends of the fallopian tubes, which capture the egg when it is released from the ovary during ovulation.

Follicle - Structure in the ovary that nurtures the developing egg and from which the egg is released.

Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH) - Hormone produced in the anterior pituitary gland that stimulates the ovary to develop a follicle for ovulation in women, and stimulates the production of sperm in the testicles in men.

Follicular Phase - First half of the menstrual cycle when ovarian follicle development takes place and the egg matures.

Gamete - Male or female reproductive cells-the sperm or the egg.

Gamete intrafallopian transfer (GIFT) - The direct transfer of combined gametes (sperm and egg) into the fallopian tube by laparoscopic procedure. Fertilization takes place inside the tubes.

Gestational sac - A fluid-filled structure that develops within the uterine cavity early in pregnancy.

Gonads - Glands that make the gametes (the testicles in the male and the ovaries in the female).

Gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) - Hormone secreted by the hypothalamus, a control center in the brain, that prompts the pituitary gland to release FSH and LH into the bloodstream.

GnRH analogs - Synthetic hormones similar to the naturally occurring gonadotropin releasing hormone.

Hermatospermia - Condition in which blood appears in the semen and can usually be seen by the naked eye.

Hormone - Chemical produced by the endocrine gland that circulates in the blood and has widespread action throughout the body.

Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) - A hormone produced by the placenta; its detection is the basis for most pregnancy tests. Also used during ovulation induction to trigger ovulation.

Hyperstimulation syndrome - A possible side effect of medically induced ovulation, characterized by swollen, painful ovaries and in some cases, the accumulation of fluid in the abdomen and chest.

Hysterosalpingogram (Hsg) - An X-ray procedure in which a special dye is injected through the cervix to illustrate the inner contour of the uterus and the patency (openness) of the fallopian tubes.

Hypogonadism - Inadequate ovarian or testicular function as shown by low sperm production or lack of follicle production, as well as in low or absent levels of FSH, LH.

Hypothalamus - Gland at the base of the brain that controls the release of hormones from the pituitary.

Hysteroscopy - The insertion of a slender, lighted, telescope-like instrument, called a hysteroscope, into the uterus in order to look for uterine abnormalities.

Idiopathic (Unexplained) Infertility - Term used to describe infertility when no reason can be found to explain the cause of a couple's infertility.

Implantation - Embedding of the fertilized egg in the lining of the uterus (endometrium).

Impotence - Inability of the male to achieve or maintain an erection for intercourse due to physical or emotional problems or to a combination of factors.

Laparoscopy - A surgical procedure that allows viewing of the pelvic organs. This involves the insertion of a long, thin, lighted telescope-like instrument, called a laparoscope, into the abdomen in order to look for abnormalities of the internal pelvic organs.

LH surge - The rapid rise of luteinizing hormone (LH) that occurs mid-cycle and triggers ovulation.

Luteal Phase - Days of the menstrual cycle after ovulation and ending with menses during which progesterone is produced.

Menstruation - Shedding of the uterine lining by bleeding that, in the absence of pregnancy, normally occurs about once a month in the mature female.

Mutagen - Substance that alters the genetic structure of the sperm or ovum before conception.

Myomectomy - Surgical removal of a tumor (myoma) in the uterine muscular wall.

Necrospermia - Condition in which sperm are produced and found in the semen but are not alive and are unable to fertilize eggs.

Oligo-ovulation - Infrequent ovulation, usually less than six ovulatory cycles per year.

Oligozoospermia - Abnormally low number of sperm in the ejaculate of the male.

Ova - the egg (plural).

Ovarian Failure - Inability of the ovary to respond to any gonodotropic hormone stimulation, usually due to menopause.

Ovaries - Sexual glands of the female that produce the hormones estrogen and progesterone and in which the ova are developed. There are two ovaries, one on each side of the pelvis.

Ovulation - Discharge of a mature egg, usually at about the midpoint of the menstrual cycle (approximately day 14 of a 28-day cycle).

Ovulatory Dysfunction - Problem existing in the ovary—either the egg is not released from the ovarian follicle or the process of egg development is abnormal.

Oocyte (Egg) - Also referred to as an ovum, or the reproductive cell produced in the ovaries each month.

Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) - Inflammatory disease of the pelvis, often caused by infection or endometriosis.

Pituitary - Gland located at the base of the human brain that secretes a number of important hormones related to normal growth development and fertility.

Polycystic Ovarian (PCO) Syndrome - Development of multiple cysts in the ovaries due to arrested follicle growth. This is caused by an imbalance in the amount of LH and FSH released during the ovulatory cycle.

Postcoital Testing - Diagnostic test for infertility in which vaginal and cervical secretions are obtained at the time of suspected ovulation and following intercourse. These secretions are analyzed under a microscope. Normal test results should show large numbers of live, motile sperm and a characteristic "ferning" pattern of cervical mucus.

Primary Infertility - Inability to conceive after one year of regular, unprotected intercourse (after six months if the woman is over age 35) for a couple who has never had a baby.

Progesterone - Hormone secreted by the corpus luteum of the ovary after ovulation has occurred. It is responsible for preparing the uterus for pregnancy. Also maintains the placenta during early pregnancy to prevent the embryo from miscarriage.

Prostaglandins - A group of fatty acids found throughout the body, especially in semen, that stimulate smooth muscle and affect blood pressure, metabolism, body temperature and other body processes.

Prostate - Gland in the male that surrounds the first portion of the urethra near the bladder. It secretes a liquid that balances acid in the urethra and stimulates movement of the sperm.

Pyospermia - Condition in which the presence of white cells in the semen indicates possible infection andor inflammation.

Retrograde Ejaculation - Discharge of sperm backward into the bladder rather than forward through the penis. Sperm can be found in urine.

Retroverted Uterus - Uterus that is flexed severely forward or backward.

Rh factor - A condition determined by heredity and usually present in red blood cells. It may cause adverse reactions during pregnancy is a woman without an Rh factor has become sensitized to the Rh factor and the fetus is Rh positive.

Rubella - An infectious viral disease also known as German measles and characterized by general redness and swollen glands. Infection of this virus during the first few months of fetal life can cause severe congenital abnormalities.

Salpingolysis - Surgery to remove adhesions on the fallopian tubes.

Salpingoplasty - Surgery to correct blocked fallopian tubes.

Scrotum - Bag of skin and thin muscle that holds the testicles.

Secondary Infertility - Inability to conceive after six months of regular unprotected intercourse, or carry a pregnancy when at least one partner has successfully conceived or carried one or more pregnancies.

Semen Analysis - Study of fresh ejaculate under the microscope to count the number of million sperm per milliliter or cubic centimeter, to check the shape and size of the sperm (morphology) and to note their ability to move (motility).

Semen or Seminal Fluid - Composed of elements formed by the testes (sperm) and the male accessory glands (prostate and seminal vesicle). Only a small part of the visible ejaculate (semen) comes from the testicle.

Seminal Vesicle - Pair of pouchlike glands around the prostate in the male that produce a thick alkaline secretion that is added to sperm during ejaculation.

Seminiferous Tubules - Long tubes in the testicles in which sperm are formed.

Sexually Transmitted Disease (STD) - Any infection pertaining to or transmitted by sexual intercourse. The most common STDs are gonorrhea, herpes and AIDS. Some STDs are readily treatable if medical help is sought early. Certain STDs can cause infertility in both men and women if untreated.

Sperm (Spermatozoa) - Male reproductive cells that have measurable characteristics such as:

Motility - Refers to the percentage of sperm demonstrating any type of forward movement.
Count (or Density) - Refers to the number of sperm present.
Morphology - Refers to the form or shape of the sperm.
Viability - Refers to whether the sperm are alive.

Sperm Antibodies - Presence of sperm antibodies in the woman or man that tend to destroy sperm action by immobilizing the sperm or making them clump together.

Sperm capacitation - A change in sperm physiology that increase the ability of sperm to penetrate and fertize an egg.

Sperm Washing - Technique that separates the sperm from the seminal fluid.

Spermatogenesis - Production of sperm within the seminiferous tubules.

Spinnbarkeit - Stretchability of cervical mucus. This is a rough measure of how easily sperm cells can enter and penetrate the cervical secretions.

Surrogate Mother - Woman who becomes pregnant through insemination with the sperm of the male partner of an infertile woman and then, following pregnancy and birth, turns the child over for adoption by the couple.

Testes - Male sexual glands of which there are two. Contained in the scrotum, they produce the male hormone testosterone and produce the male reproductive cells, the sperm.

Testicular Biopsy - Small surgical excision of testicular tissue to determine the ability of the cells to produce normal sperm or to diagnose possible neoplasms.

Testicular Failure - Occurs when the testes do not produce a normal number of mature sperm and when the hormones needed for normal sperm production (LH, FSH) are abnormally elevated.

Testicular Torsion - Condition in which the testicle twists on itself, cutting off its own blood supply; it occurs most commonly in adolescents. Surgical correction is necessary as soon as possible to save the testicle. It is associated with excruciating testicular pain.

Testosterone - Most potent male sex hormone, which is produced in the testicles.

Thyroid Gland - Gland located at the front base of the neck that secretes the thyroid hormone, found to be necessary for normal fertility.

Tipped Uterus - Uterus tilted backward toward the woman's back rather than the more common state of tilting toward the front of the abdomen. By itself, this should not be a cause of infertility.

Tubal Patency - Unobstructed and open fallopian tubes.

Uterus - Hollow muscular organ in the woman that holds and nourishes the fetus until the time of birth.

Vagina - Muscular opening in the woman extending from the vulva to the cervix of the uterus.

Vaginismus - Spasm of the muscles around the opening of the vagina, making penetration during sexual intercourse either impossible or very painful. Can be caused by physical or psychological conditions.

Varicocele - Collection of varicose veins in the scrotum. Blood flows in an abnormal direction in these veins toward the testicle rather than the normal direction which is always toward the heart. Elevated scrotal heat results.

Vas Deferens - Pair of thick-walled tubes about 45 cm long in the male that lead from the epididymis to the ejaculatory duct in the prostate.

Vasectomy - Surgery to excise part of the vas deferens to sterilize a man.

Viscosity - Thickness of semen.

Vulva - External genitalia of the female.

Zona Pellucida - Outer covering of the eggembryo.

Zygote - Egg that has been fertilized but has not yet divided.

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