GLOSSARY OF TERMS a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z -- A -- Abortion the premature termination of a pregnancy; may be induced or spontaneous (miscarriage) Acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) a fatal disease caused by a virus that destroys the immune system's ability to fight off infection 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 reporduce 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 substnace 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 a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z -- 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 a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z -- 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 vigina Cervicitis inflammation of the cervix Chlamydia a type of bacteria that is frequently transmitted sexually between partners or from an infected mother to her newborn child; the most common sexually transmitted bacterial disease 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 Condom a latex (rubber) device that fits over the penis to prevent pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections Congenital defect a birth defect Conization surgical removal of a cone-shaped portion of the cervix, usually as a treatment for a precancerous condition Contraindication a reason not to use a particular drug or treatment 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 vigina Cyst a sac filled with fluid a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z -- 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 operaton that involves stretching the cervical opening to scrape out the uterus Donor insemination artificial insemination with donor sperm Dysfunction abnormal function a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z -- 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 Ejaculate the sperm-containing fluid released at orgasm Ejaculatory ducts the male ducts that contract with orgasm to cause ejaculation Electrocautery cauterization using electircal current 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 a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z -- 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 a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z -- G -- 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 Gonorrhea a sexually transmitted infection caused by bacteria Neisseria gonococcus that can lead to infertility Granuloma a ball of inflamed tissue, commonly formed after vasectomy due to sperm leaking from the vas deferens a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z -- H -- Habitual abortion repeat miscarriages 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 Hirsutism excessive hair growth 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) see Pergonal 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 a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z -- I -- 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 a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z -- J -- -- K -- 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 a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z -- L -- 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 a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z -- M -- Menarche the time when a woman has her first menstual 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 Microsurgery reconstructive surgery performed under magnification using delicate instruments and precise techniques Miscarriage spontaneous abortion Morphology the study of form, such as assessing the shape of sperm during semen analysis Motility mothion, 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 a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z -- N -- -- O -- 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-containig 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 a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z -- P -- 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 Pergonal (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 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 a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z -- Q -- -- R -- 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 Retrograde ejaculation ejaculation backwards into the bladder instead of forward through the urethra a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z -- S -- Salpingectomy surgical removal of the fallopian tubes Salpingitis inflamation of one or both fallopian tubes Salpingitis isthmica nodosa an abnormal condition of the fallopian tube where it attaches to the uterus, characterized by nodules Salpingostomy an incision in a fallopian tube, such as to remove an ectopic pregnancy Salpingotomy an operation to open a blocked fallopian Scrotum the sac containing the testicles, epididymis, and vas deferens Semen the fluid containing sperm and secretions from the testicles, prostate, and seminal vesicles that is expelled during ejaculation Semen analysis laboratory examination of semen to check the quality and quantity of sperm Seminal vesicles the paired glands at the base of the baldder that produce seminal fluid and fructose Seminiferous tubules in the testicles, the network of tubes where sperm are formed Septum a wall that divides a cavity in half, such as a uterine septum Sertoli cells the cells in the testicles that provide nourshment to the early sperm cells Sexually transmitted disease (STD) a disease caused by an infectious agent transmitted during sex Sperm male gamete or reproductive cell Sperm bank a place where sperm are kept frozen in lizuid nitrogen for later use in artificial insemination Sperm count the number of sperm in the ejaculate (when given as the number of sperm per millileter it is more accurately known as the sperm concentration or sperm density) Sperm penetration assay (SPA) see Hamster test Spermicide an agent that kills sperm Sterilization a surgical procedure (such as tubal ligation or vasedtomy) designed to produce infertility Sterilization reversal a surgical procedure used to undo a previous sterilization operation and restore fertility Superovulation stimulation of multiple ovulation with fertility drugs; also known as controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH) Surrogate mother a woman who becomes artificially inseminated with a man's sperm and carries the pregnancy for an infertile couple, who adopt the baby after its birth (the man being the biological father of the child) a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z -- T -- 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 Toxin a poison produced by a living organism, such as by some bacteria 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) a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z -- U -- 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 uniary tract and male reproductive tract Uterus the womb; female reproductive organ that noursishes the fetus until birth a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z -- V -- Vagina the female organ of sexual intercourse; the birth canal Vaginituis inflammation of the vigina Varicocele varicose veins in the scrotum Vas deferens the tubes that conduct 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 Venereal disease see Sexually transmitted idsesas (STD) Virus a microscipic infectious organism that reproduces inside living cells a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z -- W -- -- X -- -- Y -- -- Z -- 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 Home