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Amniotic Sac :
Comprised of the outer layer of membranes (chorion) that develop from a blastocyst and the inner layer of membranes (amnion). Fills with amniotic fluid and expands to allow the developing embryo to float inside.
Return to topAndrogens :
Male sex hormones responsible for the development of male sex organs and secondary sexual characteristics. In women excess luteinizing hormones may increase the production of androgens and high levels of androgens can cause symptoms such as acne and course hair in women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome.
Return to topAntisperm Antibodies :
Sperm antibodies (a blood protein produced to counteract a foreign substance) may destroy sperm by immobilizing and making them clump together.
Return to topArtificial Insemination :
A method of inducing pregnancy by inserting sperm into the uterus (womb).
Return to topAssisted Hatching :
A small opening is created in the outer layer of a fertilized egg (embryo), which is inserted into the uterus with the hope that it will successfully embed there.
Return to topBlastocyst :
A fertilized egg (zygote) divides repeatedly as it travels down the fallopian tube to the uterus. The zygote is a solid ball of cells, but transforms into a hollow ball of cells called a blastocyst. The wall of the blastocyst becomes the outer layer of membranes that surround the embryo and together with an inner layer that develops (amnion) they form the amniotic sac.
Return to topBlastocyst Culture :
For vitro fertilization procedures, embryos are developed (cultured) in the laboratory to the blastocyst stage, prior to insertion into the uterus to continue developing naturally.
Return to topBromocriptine :
A medication that prevents a woman's body from producing a hormone called prolactin.
Return to topCervix :
The lower end of the uterus, which extends into the vagina.
Return to topClomiphene Citrate :
Clomiphene citrate (Clomid, Serophene) is a synthetic drug commonly used to induce ovulation in women and is also used to treat Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome.
Return to topCorpus Luteum :
A mass of tissue that forms in the ovary after ovulation and secretes the hormone progesterone in the second half of the normal menstrual cycle.
Return to topElectrolytes :
When dissolved, salts in the body exist as charged particles called ions, which are collectively known as electrolytes. A disturbance in the level of sodium in the body affects blood volume, blood pressure, and can result in edema (a swelling of the feet, ankles and lower legs), and in some cases, kidney failure.
Return to topEmbryo :
A human offspring in the early stages following conception up to the end of the eighth week when it becomes known as a fetus.
Return to topEndocrine :
Relates to the glands that secrete hormones internally, directly into the lymph fluids or bloodstream.
Return to topEndometriosis :
A medical condition in which patches of endometrial tissue, normally found only in the uterine lining (endometrium), are present and functioning in the ovaries or elsewhere in the body.
Return to topEpididymis :
A coiled tube attached to the back and upper side of the testicle that stores sperm and is connected to the vas deferens. It provides the space and environment for sperm to mature and pass through to the vas deferens.
Return to topEpididymovasostomy :
A microsurgical procedure used to bypass a block in the epididymis.
Return to topEstradiol :
Is a major estrogenic hormone produced in the ovarian follicles, which can be synthesized for use in treating estrogen deficiency.
Return to topEstrogen (Oestrogen) :
Any of several steroid hormones produced mainly in the ovaries that develops and maintains the female characteristics of the body.
Return to topFallopian Tubes :
Either of two narrow tubes with a funnel-shaped end through which a woman's eggs pass from either of the ovaries to the womb. Fertilization of a woman's egg usually takes place in a fallopian tube.
Return to topFibroids :
Fibroids are benign (non-cancerous) growths comprised of muscle and fibrous tissue that grow on the uterus. They have been known to contribute to infertility by blocking the fallopian tubes or distorting the uterine cavity.
Return to topFollicle :
The small cysts in the ovary where the egg develops.
Return to topFollicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH) :
A pituitary hormone that stimulates the growth of egg follicles in the ovaries and in men, the making of sperm in the testes.
Return to topGonadotropins :
Are hormones secreted by the pituitary gland and influence gonadal activity, including the onset of sexual maturity and regulation of reproductive activity.
Return to topGonad :
An organ that produces reproductive cells (gametes) in a testis or an ovary.
Return to topGonadotropin Releasing Hormone (GnRH) :
A hormone released in pulses from the hypothalamus to modulate the release of follicle-stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone from the pituitary in order to cause egg development and eventual ovulation.
Return to topGnRH Agonists :
GnRH Agonists initially cause a release of FSH and LH from the pituitary gland. With continued use a GnRH agonist blocks or suppresses the action of GnRH (down regulate) to prevent a premature surge of LH that can result in premature ovulation.
Return to topGnRH Antagonists :
GnRH Antagonists prevent the release of LH and FSH from the pituitary and prevent the LH surge.
Return to topHormones :
A regulatory substance produced in the body's endocrine glands or certain other cells that are transported in tissue fluids such as blood, to stimulate cells or tissues into action.
Return to topHuman Chorionic Gonadotropins (hCG) :
A hormone secreted by the placenta during pregnancy. HCG may also be administered for some infertility problems.
Return to topHysteroscopy :
A medical procedure whereby a thin, fibre-optic tube is inserted through the cervix into the uterine cavity for viewing. The instrument may contain a biopsy device for sampling tissue or an electrocautery (heat-sealing) device for removing abnormalities.
Return to topIntracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI) :
The process of injecting a single sperm into a woman's egg. Resulting embryos are then placed in the uterus.
Return to topIntrauterine Insemination (IUI) :
Insemination performed by inserting washed sperm directly into the uterus.
Return to topIn Vitro Fertilization (IVF) :
Fertilization of a woman's ovum (egg) with her partner's sperm, that takes place outside the body - i.e. in a dish in the laboratory, when normal conception is not achievable.
Return to topLaparoscope :
A tubular instrument, inserted through a small insertion in the abdominal wall to provide a view of the internal organs.
Return to topLaparoscopy :
A surgical procedure requiring a general anaesthesia that allows for examination of the internal organs of the abdomen using a laparoscope. Used to check for endometriosis, pelvic scarring, or to help retrieve eggs for in vitro fertilization.
Return to topLupron :
A medication that lowers the amounts of the hormone estrogen.
Return to topLuteal Phase :
The second phase of the menstrual cycle, during which levels of luteinizing hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone decrease and progesterone and estradiol cause the uterine lining to thicken.
Return to topLuteal Phase Defect :
When the body does not produce enough hormones after ovulation.
Return to topLuteinizing hormones (LH) :
A hormone produced by the pituitary gland that causes the ovary to produce one or more eggs, to secrete the hormone progesterone and to form the corpus luteum.
Return to topMenstrual Cycle :
The shedding of the lining of the uterus (endometrium), accompanied by bleeding. Occurs in monthly cycles ranging from 21 to 40 days, unless a woman is pregnant.
Return to topMetaphormin :
A medication for treating Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) and insulin resistance. A combination of Metaphormin and clomiphene citrate improve ovulation in the PCOS patient.
Return to topMicrosurgical Epididymal Sperm Aspiration (MESA) :
A method of retrieving sperm cells from the epididymis or from a biopsy of testicular tissue.
Return to topOocyte Retrieval :
A needle is inserted through the wall of the vagina into the ovary and the egg (oocyte) is removed for use in IVF. Ultrasound is used to view the ovary. Egg retrieval takes place 34 to 36 hours after an injection of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG).
Return to topOvarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome (OHSS) :
Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome is when a woman's ovaries become excessively enlarged as a result of hormone therapy that stimulates the development of follicles and prompts ovulation. (More about OHSS)
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Ovulation :
One egg (ovum) is released from one of the ovaries about 14 days before the next menstrual period. The ripening and discharge of an egg or eggs from the ovary for possible fertilization.
Return to topOvulation Induction (OI) :
A medication therapy, which stimulates the growth and the release of eggs from the ovaries.
Return to topPreimplantation Genetic Diagnosis (PGD) :
PGD technology allows for the manipulation of the blastocyst and the removal of a cell to perform genetic diagnosis.
Return to topPituitary Gland :
A pea-sized gland that sits at the base of the brain. The pituitary controls the function of most endocrine glands and is in turn controlled by the hypothalamus, a region of the brain that lies just above the pituitary.
Return to topPolycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) :
A disorder in which the ovaries are enlarged and contain many fluid-filled sacs (cysts). The pituitary gland secretes excess amounts of lutenizing hormones, increasing the production of androgens (male hormones), some of which may be converted to chronically high levels of estrogens. Symptoms may include obesity, an increase in acne, coarse hair, or body hair growing on the face or chest, or profuse vaginal bleeding.
Return to topProgesterone :
An ovarian hormone controlled by the hypothalamus and pituitary that prepares the lining of the uterus for implantation of a fertilized egg.
Return to topProlactin :
A hormone regulated by the pituitary gland, which stimulates lactation and the secretion of progesterone.
Return to topScrotum :
The pouch of skin and muscle containing the testes.
Return to topSemen Analysis :
The main screening test for male infertility including tests of sperm quantity, function and quality (ability to move, bind to and penetrate an egg).
Return to topSeminal Vesicles :
A pair of glands that secrete the fluid component of semen into the ejaculatory duct in males.
Return to topTestes :
The roundish male reproductive glands that produce sperm and male sex hormones and hang in a small sac (scrotum) behind the penis.
Return to topUterus :
The womb; the organ in which the fetus is developed and protected before birth.
Return to topVaricocele :
A mass of veins in the scrotum, similar to varicose veins, that raises the temperature of the testes and reduces the rate of sperm formation.
Return to topVas deferens :
A cord-like duct that transports sperm from the epididymis to the back of the prostate and enters the urethra to form the ejaculatory ducts.
Return to topZygote :
A fertilized egg that divides repeatedly as it travels down the fallopian tube to the uterus.
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