Treatment Terms in Fertility and Assisted Reproduction
- Clomiphene & Letrozole: Oral medications used to stimulate ovulation by encouraging the ovaries to release eggs, commonly prescribed as first-line treatment for women with irregular or absent ovulation.
- Ovulation Induction (OI): A fertility treatment that uses medication to stimulate the ovaries to produce and release one or more eggs, often recommended for women experiencing ovulatory disorders.
- Intra-Uterine Insemination (IUI): A procedure where specially prepared sperm is placed directly into the uterus during ovulation to increase the chances of fertilisation.
- In-Vitro Fertilisation (IVF): An advanced fertility treatment where eggs are retrieved from the ovaries, fertilised with sperm in a laboratory, and the resulting embryo is transferred into the uterus.
- Intra-Cytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI): A specialised IVF technique where a single sperm is injected directly into an egg to assist fertilisation, commonly used in cases of male factor infertility.
- Intra-Cytoplasmic Morphologically Selected Sperm Injection (IMSI): An advanced form of ICSI that uses high-magnification imaging to select the healthiest sperm before injection, potentially improving fertilisation outcomes.
- Physiological Intra-Cytoplasmic Sperm Injection (PICSI): A sperm selection technique used alongside ICSI, where mature sperm are chosen based on their ability to bind to hyaluronic acid, mimicking natural selection processes.
- Donor Sperm (DS): Sperm provided by a carefully screened donor and used in fertility treatments such as IUI or IVF when male fertility issues or genetic concerns are present.
- Donor Oocyte or Egg (DO): Eggs from a healthy donor used in IVF treatment, typically recommended for women with low ovarian reserve, poor egg quality, or certain genetic conditions.
IVF Cycle Terms and Procedures
- Cycle: The complete sequence of fertility treatment steps from ovarian stimulation through to egg retrieval, fertilisation, embryo development, and embryo transfer, depending on the treatment plan.
- Day 1: The first day of the IVF treatment cycle, counted from the first day of menstrual bleeding; if bleeding starts in the afternoon, Day 1 is considered the following day when you first wake with full menstrual flow.
- Oocyte Pick-Up (OPU): A minor procedure where eggs are collected from the ovaries using a fine needle, typically performed under sedation as part of an IVF cycle.
- Embryo Transfer (ET): A procedure where a developed embryo is placed into the uterus to establish pregnancy, usually carried out a few days after fertilisation.
- Single Embryo Transfer (SET): The transfer of one embryo into the uterus to reduce the risk of multiple pregnancies while maintaining a good chance of success.
- Frozen Embryo Transfer (FET): A procedure where previously frozen embryos are thawed and transferred into the uterus during a carefully prepared cycle.
- Blastocyst: An embryo that has developed for about 5 to 6 days after fertilisation, consisting of a structure ready for implantation into the uterine lining.
- Surgical Sperm Retrieval: A set of procedures used to extract sperm directly from the male reproductive tract when sperm is not present in the ejaculate.
- Microsurgical Testicular Sperm Extraction (MESA): A surgical technique where sperm is collected from the epididymis using a microscope, often used in cases of obstructive azoospermia.
- Percutaneous Testicular Sperm Aspiration (PESA): A minimally invasive procedure where sperm is aspirated from the epididymis using a fine needle.
- Testicular Sperm Aspiration (TESA): A procedure where a needle is used to extract sperm directly from the testicular tissue under local anaesthesia.
- Testicular Sperm Extraction (TESE): A surgical procedure where small samples of testicular tissue are taken to retrieve sperm, often used when no sperm is found in the ejaculate.
- Ovarian Hyper-Stimulation Syndrome (OHSS): A possible side effect of fertility medication where the ovaries become overly stimulated, leading to swelling, fluid retention, and discomfort in more severe cases.
- Pre-implantation Genetic Testing for Aneuploidies (PGT-A): A laboratory test performed on embryos to check for abnormal chromosome numbers before embryo transfer, helping improve implantation outcomes.
- Pre-implantation Genetic Testing for Monogenic Disorder (PGT-M): A genetic test used to screen embryos for specific inherited single-gene disorders before implantation.
- Time-Lapse Embryo Imaging: A technology that continuously monitors embryo development in the laboratory using a specialised incubator with a built-in camera system.
- Catheter: A thin, flexible tube used during embryo transfer to gently place the embryo into the uterus.
- Biochemical Pregnancy: A very early pregnancy detected through blood or urine tests, where pregnancy hormone levels are present but no gestational sac is seen on ultrasound.
- Clinical Pregnancy: A pregnancy confirmed by ultrasound evidence of a gestational sac within the uterus after embryo implantation.
Other Fertility and Reproductive Health Terminology
- Abdomen/abdominal: Refers to the part of the body between the chest and pelvis, containing organs such as the intestines, liver, and reproductive structures, often examined in fertility assessments.
- Acrosome: A cap-like structure on the head of a sperm cell that contains enzymes essential for penetrating the egg during fertilisation.
- Amniocentesis: A prenatal diagnostic procedure where a small amount of amniotic fluid is collected to test for genetic or chromosomal conditions in the fetus.
- Amniotic membrane: The thin protective layer that surrounds the fetus during pregnancy, forming part of the amniotic sac that contains amniotic fluid.
- Anencephaly: A serious birth defect where parts of the brain and skull do not develop properly during pregnancy.
- Anovulation: A condition where the ovaries do not release an egg during the menstrual cycle, often contributing to infertility.
- Azoospermia: A male fertility condition where no sperm is present in the ejaculate.
- Basal body temperature: The body’s resting temperature measured in the morning, sometimes used to track ovulation patterns.
- Body Mass Index (BMI): A measure of body weight relative to height used to assess whether a person is underweight, normal weight, or overweight, which can influence fertility.
- Capacitation: The final maturation process that sperm undergo in the female reproductive tract, enabling them to fertilise an egg.
- Cervix: The lower part of the uterus that opens into the vagina and plays a key role in allowing sperm entry and childbirth.
- Chlamydia: A common sexually transmitted infection that can affect fertility if left untreated by causing damage to the reproductive tract.
- Chorionic membrane: A membrane that forms part of the placenta and surrounds the developing embryo, supporting early pregnancy.
- Cilia: Tiny hair-like structures in the fallopian tubes that help move the egg towards the uterus after ovulation.
- Chromosome: A structure within cells that contains DNA, carrying genetic information inherited from both parents.
- Corpus luteum: A temporary structure in the ovary that produces progesterone after ovulation to support early pregnancy.
- Cryptorchidism: A condition where one or both testicles fail to descend into the scrotum before birth.
- Dilatation and curettage (D&C): A minor surgical procedure to remove tissue from the uterus, often used after miscarriage or for diagnostic purposes.
- Ectopic pregnancy: A pregnancy that occurs outside the uterus, most commonly in the fallopian tube, and requires urgent medical attention.
- Ejaculate: The fluid released from the penis during ejaculation, containing sperm and seminal fluid.
- Endometriosis: A condition where tissue similar to the uterine lining grows outside the uterus, often causing pain and infertility.
- Endometrium: The inner lining of the uterus that thickens each cycle to support embryo implantation.
- Epididymis: A coiled tube located behind the testicles where sperm mature and are stored.
- Fallopian tube: A tube connecting the ovaries to the uterus, where fertilisation typically occurs.
- Fibroid: A non-cancerous growth in the uterus that can sometimes affect fertility or pregnancy outcomes.
- Fimbria: Finger-like structures at the end of the fallopian tube that help capture the egg after ovulation.
- Follicle: A fluid-filled sac in the ovary that contains and supports the development of an egg.
- Follicular phase: The first phase of the menstrual cycle when follicles in the ovary mature in preparation for ovulation.
- Gestation: The period of pregnancy from conception until birth.
- Granulosa cells: Cells surrounding the developing egg within the follicle that support its growth and hormone production.
- Human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG): A hormone produced during early pregnancy that supports the corpus luteum and is detected in pregnancy tests.
- Insemination: The introduction of sperm into the female reproductive tract to achieve fertilisation, either naturally or through medical assistance.
- Karyotype: A laboratory analysis of chromosomes used to detect genetic abnormalities or structural changes.
- Laparoscopy: A minimally invasive surgical procedure using a camera inserted through the abdomen to diagnose or treat reproductive conditions.
- LMP: Abbreviation for Last Menstrual Period, used to estimate pregnancy dating and ovulation timing.
- Luteal phase: The second half of the menstrual cycle after ovulation, when progesterone prepares the uterus for implantation.
- Luteinising hormone (LH): A hormone that triggers ovulation and supports the formation of the corpus luteum.
- Menarche: The first occurrence of menstruation, marking the beginning of reproductive capability.
- Menstruation period: The monthly shedding of the uterine lining when pregnancy does not occur.
- Oestrogen: A primary female hormone responsible for regulating the menstrual cycle and supporting reproductive function.
- Ovarian stimulation: A fertility treatment process using medication to encourage the ovaries to produce multiple eggs.
- Ovary: A female reproductive organ that produces eggs and hormones such as oestrogen and progesterone.
- Ovulation: The release of a mature egg from the ovary, typically occurring once per menstrual cycle.
- Ovum: A mature female egg cell capable of being fertilised by sperm.
- Pelvic inflammatory disease: An infection of the female reproductive organs that can lead to scarring and infertility if untreated.
- Peri menopause: The transitional phase before menopause when hormonal changes and irregular cycles begin.
- Phyto oestrogens: Plant-derived compounds that can mimic oestrogen activity in the body.
- Pituitary gland: A small gland in the brain that regulates reproductive hormones controlling ovulation and fertility.
- Placenta: An organ that develops during pregnancy to supply oxygen and nutrients to the fetus.
- Progesterone: A hormone that prepares and maintains the uterine lining for pregnancy.
- Pronuclei: The genetic material from the sperm and egg visible in the early stage after fertilisation.
- Puberty: The developmental stage when the body becomes capable of reproduction due to hormonal changes.
- Scrotum -The pouch that contains the testicles: The external sac that holds the testicles and helps regulate their temperature for sperm production.
- Semen: The fluid released during ejaculation that carries sperm and nutrients.
- Semen analysis: A laboratory test that evaluates sperm count, movement, and quality.
- Seminal fluid: The fluid component of semen that nourishes and transports sperm.
- Spermatogenesis & Spermatogonia: The process of sperm production and the early germ cells that develop into mature sperm.
- Sperm: The male reproductive cell responsible for fertilising the egg.
- Spina bifida: A birth defect where the spinal column does not fully close during fetal development.
- Testes: Male reproductive organs that produce sperm and testosterone.
- Ultrasound: A scanning technique using sound waves to visualise internal organs, widely used in fertility monitoring.
- Uterus: The womb, a muscular organ where implantation and fetal development occur.
- Vagina: The muscular canal connecting the cervix to the outside of the body, involved in intercourse and childbirth.
- Zona pellucida: The protective outer layer surrounding the egg that sperm must penetrate for fertilisation.