GLOSSARY

Abortion:  The loss of a pregnancy before a fetus can survive on its own

ACA -- See Anticardiolipin Antibodies.

Acrosin: An enzyme in the head of a sperm that dissolves the coating around the egg in order to allow the sperm to penetrate the egg.

Acrosome reaction:  The chemical changes that enable the sperm to penetrate the egg.

Adhesions: Bands of scar tissue attached to the surface of organs such as the ovary, the bowels, or the fallopian tubes.

Adrenaline: A hormone secreted by the adrenal medulla during strong emotion.  This hormone causes bodily changes such as increased blood pressure.

Agglutination of sperm:  Sperm cells which clump or stick together.

AI -- See Artificial Insemination, Donor Insemination, Intrauterine Insemination (IUI).

AID -- Artificial Insemination Donor. See Artificial Insemination, Donor Insemination, Intrauterine Insemination (IUI).

AIH (Artificial Insemination by Husband) A procedure in which a wife is inseminated with her husband's sperm, in contrast to being inseminated by the sperm of a donor.

Alloimmune Factors -- Natural killer cells, leukocyte antigen cross match. Alloimmune factors can lead to pregnancy loss in two different ways. First, the body fails to recognize a pregnancy, and second, there is an abnormal immunological response to the pregnancy. A patient may be tested for leukocyte antibodies, natural killer cells, and embryo toxic factor. Possible treatments are intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) or paternal white blood cell immunization.

Amenorrhea: Absence of menstrual cycles.

The American Society For Reproductive Medicine (ASRM). An organization of more than 10,000 health care specialists interested in reproductive medicine. This organization was previously known as the American Fertility Society (AFS)

Ampulla: The outer end of the fallopian tube that is the widest part of the tube.

Andrologist:  A doctor specializing in male reproductive problems.

anesthesia (local) The use of medication to induce a loss of sensation in a specific part of the body without loss of consciousness

Anesthesia (general): An agent that produces unconsciousness and complete loss of sensation throughout the body.

Anovulatory:  A term describing a woman who rarely or never ovulates.

Antagon AGnRH antagonist that can prevent a premature LH surge A GnRH antagonist needs to be injected less often than Lupron which is a GnRH agonist.  GnRH antagonists need to be injected during the time period when an LH surge is likely to occur

Antibodies -- Chemicals made by the body to fight or attack foreign substances entering the body. Normally they prevent infection; however, when they attack the sperm or fetus, they cause infertility. Sperm antibodies may be made by either the man or the woman.

anticardiolipin antibodies Proteins produced by the mother's body which are directed against the fat cells of the fetus.  These antibodies are associated with repeated miscarriages.

Antigen -- A substance that causes antibodies to form.

Antinuclear Antibodies (ANA) -- Antinuclear antibodies react against normal components of the cell nucleus. The may be present in a number of immunologic diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, and certain collagen diseases, and in about 1% of normal individuals. If you have systemic lupus erythematosus, it can be transmitted through the placenta to the baby, resulting in heart problems.

Antiovarian Antibodies (AOA, AVA) -- Antibodies against ovarian targets. Such antibodies would bind to important functional sites in the ovary and granulosa cells and impair the normal response.

Antiphospholipid Antibodies (APA) -- Antibodies which attack phospholipids. The presence of Antiphospholipid antibodies may indicate there is an underlying process that results in recurrent pregnancy loss. Phospholipids work to hold dividing cells together, and are necessary for growth of the placenta into the wall of the uterus. They also filter nourishment from the mother's blood to the baby, and filter the baby's waste back through the placenta. There are 7 antiphospholipid antibodies: anticardiolipin (ACA), phosphoethanolamine, phosphoinositol, phosphatidic acid, phosphoglycerol, phosphoserine, and hosphocholine. 

Antisperm Antibodies:  Protective agents produced by the body's immune system that attach to the sperm and prevent them from moving and fertilizing the egg.

ART:  Assisted reproductive technology.  ART encompasses various techniques to stimulate the production of multiple eggs and enhance their likelihood of being fertilized.  The list of techniques includes IVF, GIFT, SIFT, TET, and PROST.

Artificial insemination:  The introduction of sperm into a woman's vagina or cervix using a special instrument rather than their introduction through intercourse.

Asherman's syndrome  A condition in which adhesions form inside the cavity of the uterus.

Aspiration:  The application of light suction to the ovarian follicle to remove the eggs.

Assertiveness training:  A behavior therapy technique for helping individuals become more self-assertive in their interpersonal relationships.

Assisted Hatching (AH, AZH) -- Thinning out the zona pellucida prior to transferring the embryo into the uterus.

Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) -- Several procedures employed to bring about conception without sexual intercourse, including IUI, IVF, GIFT and ZIFT.

Asymptomatic -- Having no symptoms.

Automatic thoughts:  Thoughts that occur in your stream of consciousness that are rarely questioned.  They include "shoulds" and "musts" and are difficult to tune out.

Azoospermia: The absence of sperm in the ejaculate.

Baby Aspirin -- Low dose aspirin (80-100 mg) used in infertility treatment to increase blood flow to the uterus. Often used in conjunction with Heparin in patients with immune problems.

Bacteria: Microscopic single-celled organisms that can cause infections.

Balanced Translocation (BT) -- Is when a person has the correct number of chromosomes, but the pieces are joined up incorrectly. The problem can be inherited from one parent and then balanced out by the other. If both partners have similar problems, recurrent miscarriage may occur.

Basal Body Temperature (BBT): The body temperature at rest. Some female infertility patients are asked to complete a BBT chart showing their temperature, taken orally, on consecutive days for one or more months.

Behavior modification: Techniques used to change specific behaviors.

Behavioral medicine:  An interdisciplinary field concerned with the relation between physical health and psychological aspects of individuals who have, or are at risk for, physical disease.

Beta HCG:  A pregnancy test which determines the presence of hCG in the woman's bloodstream.

Bicornuate uterus:  a congenital malformation of the uterus in which there are two small horn-shaped bodies each having one fallopian tube.

Biphasic -- Having two phases. Used to describe BBT charts that show a clear shift from the follicular phase (before ovulation) to the luteal phase (after ovulation).

Biochemical Pregnancy: When a patient's pregnancy lest is positive but no pregnancy is visible on ultrasound.

Biofeedback: Treatment technique in which data regarding an individual's biological activity are collected, processed, and conveyed back so that one can modify that activity.

blastocyst The stage of development in which the embryo consists of many cells packed inside a tough outer membrane.

Blastocyst Tranfer -- Allowing in vitro fertilized embryos to reach blastocyst stage, usually 5 days, before transferring the embryos into the uterus.

Blastomere -- A cell produced during cleavage of a fertilized egg.

Blighted Ovum -- A pregnancy that stops developing very early on. The amniotic sac may only contain fluid and no fetal tissue when the miscarriage occurs.

Bromocriptine (Parlodel): A drug used to suppress the production of prolactin.

Buserelin -- A long-acting GnRH available in Europe as a nasal spray and used to create the pseudomenopause desirable for reducing the size and number of endometriotic lesions. It can also be used to treat fibroid tumors, PMS, hirsutism, ovulation induction and for in vitro fertilization.

Catheter:  A flexible tube used for aspirating or injecting fluids.

Capacitation: The alteration of sperm during their passage through the female reproductive tract that gives them the capacity to penetrate and fertilize the egg.

Centrifuge -- A machine that separates materials with different densities by spinning them at high speed. Used in sperm washing.

Cerclage -- A surgical stitch (suture) used to try to keep cervix tightly closed. Used for women with Incompetent Cervix.

Cervical mucous: A secretion produced by the lining of the cervical canal.

Cervical Smear -- A sample of the cervical mucus examined microscopically to assess the presence of estrogen and white blood cells, indicating possible infection.

Cervical Stenosis -- A blockage of the cervical canal from a congenital defect or from complications of surgical procedures. See also cervix.

Cervicitis:  An inflammation of the cervix.

Cervix: The lower section of the uterus which protrudes into the vagina and dilates during labor to allow the passage of the infant.

Cetrorelix AGnRH antagonist that can prevent a premature LH surge A GnRH antagonist needs to be injected less often than Lupron which is a GnRH agonist.  GnRH antagonists need to be injected during the time period when an LH surge is likely to occur

Chemical Pregnancy -- A pregnancy where hCG levels are detected, but the pregnancy is lost before a heartbeat is seen on an ultrasound. This is a very early miscarriage -- often before the woman misses a period.

Chlamydia:  A type of bacteria that is transmitted often between sexual partners.

Chocolate Cyst -- A cyst in the ovary that is filled with old blood; endometrioma. Occurring when endometriosis invades an ovary, it causes the ovary to swell. Frequently, patients with large endometriomas do not have any symptoms. If the cyst ruptures or the ovary containing the cyst twists, emergency surgery may be necessary. Usually treatment can be carried out through the laparoscope.

Chorionic Villae Sampling (CVS) -- An alternative to amniocentesis that can be done earlier in the pregnancy. It is a biopsy of the placenta that is used to check for genetic abnormalities in the fetus.

Chromosome:   Strands of DNA in a cell's nucleus that transmit hereditary information.

Cilia: Microscopic hair‑like projections from the surface of a cell capable of beating in a coordinated fashion.

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.

Clinical psychology:  A field of psychology concerned with understanding, assessing, treating, and preventing maladaptive behavior.

Clomid: The brand name for clomiphene citrate.

Clomiphene Citrate: An antiestrogen drug used to induce ovulation.

Clomiphene Citrate Challenge Test (CCCT, CCT) -- This test entails the oral (by mouth) administration of 100 milligrams of clomiphene citrate on menstrual cycle days 5-9. Blood levels of FSH are measured on cycle day 3 and again on cycle day 10. Elevated blood levels of FSH on cycle day 3 or cycle day 10 are associated with very low pregnancy.

Cognitive activation:  Setting into motion mental processes including perception, memory, and reasoning by which a person acquires knowledge, solves problems, and makes plans.

Cognitive psychotherapy:  Treatment approach to psychological problems in which a patient identifies his "warped thinking" and learns more realistic ways to formulate his experiences.

COH -- Controlled Ovarian Hyperstimulation.

Colposcopy -- Use of a scope to examine the cervix for abnormal cells.

Conception: The fertilization of a woman's egg by a man's sperm resulting in a new life.

Cone Biopsy -- A surgical procedure used to remove precancerous cells from the cervix. The procedure may damage the cervix and thus disrupt normal mucus production or cause an incompetent cervix, which may open prematurely during pregnancy.

Congenital Defect -- A birth defect, acquired during pregnancy but not necessarily hereditary.

Controlled Ovarian Hyperstimulation (COH) -- Using fertility medications to stimulate the growth of multiple follicles for ovulation. Also called Superovulation.

Corpus Luteum: The "yellow body" formed in the ovary following ovulation which produces the supply of progesterone needed to sustain a pregnancy.

CPT codes:  Medical codes used to refer to a standard list of medical procedures.  Insurance companies refer to these codes to determine the reasonable cost for a medical procedure.

Creative visualization: see guided fantasy

Cryopreservation: Freezing at a very low temperature, such as in liquid nitrogen (‑196"C), to keep embryos, eggs, or sperm viable.

Cycle Day -- The day of a woman's menstrual cycle. The first day (day 1) is when full flow starts before mid-afternoon.

Cyst -- A fluid-filled sac.

Cycle synchronization:  A procedure for ensuring the an egg donor and an egg recipient reach the middle of their menstrual cycle at the same time.

Cytoplasmic Transfer -- An extension of in vitro fertilization which takes the genetic material from a mother's egg and combines it with the cytoplasma of a donor egg. Two methods of cytoplasm transfer were developed, one which transfers a small amount of cytoplasm by tiny needle from the donor to the recipient egg, the other transfers a larger amount of cytoplasm which is then fused to the recipient cytoplasm with electricity.

Danazol (Danocrine):  A drug used to treat endometriosis.

Day 3 FSH:  A woman's FSH level taken on day 3 of her cycle.  This reading is an indication of the woman's ovarian reserve.  A high level indicates a possible fertility problem.

Day 1 -- The first day of a woman's cycle with menses in full flow (not just spotting). Flow should begin before mid-afternoon or the next day would be considered Day 1.

Days Post-Ovulation (DPO) -- The number of days a woman is past ovulation. Counting begins the day after ovulation, so if ovulation is on Wednesday, Saturday would be 3 DPO.

Days Post-Transfer (DPT) -- The number of days a woman is past embryo transfer. Counting begins the day after transfer, so if is on Monday, Friday would be 4 DPO.

DES (Diethylstilbestrol:  A synthetic form of estrogen that was prescribed to prevent miscarriage.  Tragically, this drug caused malformations of the reproductive system of women born to mothers who took this drug.

Dilation and Curettage (D&C):  A procedure performed after a miscarriage.  It involves opening the cervix, stretching (or dilating) it, and scraping (curetting) the lining of the uterus.

Direct Intra-peritoneal Insemination (DIPI, IPI) -- Injection of sperm into the peritoneal cavity. A form or artificial insemination that may be used with low sperm counts and motility.

Direct Oocyte-Sperm Transfer (DOST) -- Involves transvaginal retrieval of eggs from the stimulated ovary, just as in standard IVF. However, following retrieval, instead of inseminating the eggs with sperm and placing them into the incubator, the eggs are inseminated and transferred directly into the uterus nonsurgically two hours later. This allows the eggs to fertilize within the uterus, making it acceptable for women with damaged, nonfunctional or absent fallopian tubes, just as in IVF.

Donor Egg -- Eggs donated by one woman to another.

Dominant Follicle:  The largest follicle among developing follicles in the ovary.

Donor Insemination -- Artificial insemination with donor sperm. See Artificial Insemination, Intrauterine Insemination.

Downregulation:  The use of the drug Lupron to inhibit the woman's body from producing its own FSH and LH.  Downregulation enables the doctor to have complete control over the woman's menstrual cycle.

doxycycline An antibiotic used to prevent infection during an ART procedure.

Dysmenorrhea -- Painful menstruation.

Dyspareunia -- Difficult or painful coitus.

Ectopic Pregnancy: A pregnancy in the fallopian tube or elsewhere outside the lining of the uterus.  Also called a tubal pregnancy.

Egg Donation: Surgical removal of an egg from one woman for transfer into the fallopian tube or uterus of another woman.

Egg harvest: The procedure by which eggs are obtained by inserting a needle into the ovarian follicle and removing the fluid and the egg by suction. Also called ova aspiration.

egg retrieval The procedure for obtaining eggs by using a needle to puncture each ovarian follicle and suck out the fluid containing the egg.

Ejaculate: The seminal fluid and sperm released from the penis during orgasm.

Embryo: A fertilized egg that has begun cell division, often called a pre‑embryo (for pre-implantation embryo). An embryo is now defined as a later stage, i.e. at the completion of" the pre‑embryonic stage, which is considered to end at about day 14.  The term, embryo, is used to describe the early stages of fetal growth, from conception to the eighth week of pregnancy.

Embryologist -- A scientist who specializes is embryo development.

Embryo transfer: Placement of the pre‑embryos into the uterus or, in the case of ZIFT and TET, into the fallopian tube.

Endocrine System: System of glands including the thymus, pituitary, thyroid, adrenals, testicles or ovaries.

endometrial biopsy removal of a portion of the uterine lining in order to study the tissue under a microscope.

Endometriosis: A disease in which normal endometrial tissue (the lining of the uterus) grows outside the uterus. lt may be associated with infertility.

Endometrium: The mucous membrane lining the uterus.

Epididymis: An elongated organ in the male lying above and behind the testicles. lt contains a highly convoluted canal, four to six meters in length, where, after production, sperm are stored, nourished and ripened for a period of several months.

Estradiol (E2): A hormone released by d ;follicles in the ovary. plasma estradiol levels are used to help determine progressive growth of the follicle during ovulation induction.

Estrogen:  The female hormone largely responsible for thickening the uterine lining during the first half of the menstrual cycle.

Estimated Due Date (EDD) -- An approximate date for when a baby is due to be born. It is generally calculated based on LMP, when LMP is two weeks before ovulation. To figure the due date, take your LMP and add 9 months plus one week. To figure EDD based on ovulation, add 9 months and subtract one week. When using ARTs, one would consider the day of insemination to be ovulation, and the day of egg retrieval to be ovulation.

Fallopian Tubes: A pair of tubes attached to the uterus, one on each side, where sperm and egg meet in normal conception.

Falloposcopy -- Falloposcopy is the visual examination of the inside of the fallopian tube. A tiny flexible catheter is inserted through the cervical canal and uterine cavity into the fallopian tube. A small flexible fiber optic endoscope is threaded through the catheter into the fallopian tube. A camera at the end of the falloscope transfers images of the inside of the tube to a monitor so the surgeon can thoroughly visualize and examine the inside of the tube. If problems are found, surgical repairs can be made at the same time.

Fertility Treatment -- Any method or procedure used to enhance fertility or increase the likelihood of pregnancy, such as ovulation induction treatment, varicocoele repair, and microsurgery to repair damaged fallopian tubes. The goal of fertility treatment is to help couples have a child.

Fertility Specialist -- A physician specializing in the practice of fertility. The American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology certifies a subspecialty for OB-GYNs who receive extra training in endocrinology (the study of hormones) and infertility. Those who acquire certification are Reproductive Endocrinologists (REs).

Fertilization:  The penetration of the egg by the sperm and fusion of genetic materials to result in the development of an embryo.

Fertinex -- FSH injectable fertility medication.

FET (Frozen Embryo Transfer) Embryos not transferred during an IVF procedure can be frozen.  During a subsequent cycle these frozen embryos are thawed and are replaced in the uterus in a procedure called FET (frozen embryo transfer).

Fetus:  The stage of development of a pregnancy from the third month until delivery.

Fibroid (Myoma or Leiomyoma): A benign (noncancerous) tumor found in the wall of the uterus.

Fimbria: The fringed and finger‑like outer ends of the Fallopian tubes.

Fimbrioplasty -- Plastic or reconstructive surgery to repair the fimbria that may be damaged or causing a blockage within the fallopian tubes.

Follicle:  A fluid‑filled, cyst‑like structure or sac just beneath the ovary's surface in which the egg grows to maturity.

Follicular Fluid -- The fluid inside the follicle that cushions and nourishes the ovum. When released during ovulation, the fluid stimulates the fimbria to grasp the ovary and coax the egg into the fallopian tube.

Follicular phase:  The first portion of the menstrual cycle occurring from the time of menstruation to just prior to ovulation.  During this phase the egg follicle develops and the egg matures.

Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH): The pituitary hormone responsible for the stimulation of the follicle cells around the egg.

Follistim -- Recombinant FSH injectable fertility medication used for superovulation.

Frozen Embryo Transfer (FET): The transfer to the uterus of an embryo which has been frozen (cryopreserved) and then thawed out.

Fructose test: A test to determine whether fructose sugar is present in the semen.  The test helps to determine whether an obstruction is preventing sperm from getting into the ejaculate.

Gamete:  The male or female reproductive cells ‑ the sperm or the ovum (egg).

Gamete Intrafallopian Transfer (GIFT): A method of assisted reproduction that involves surgically removing an egg from the woman's ovary; combining it with sperm, and immediately placing the egg and sperm into the fallopian tube. Fertilization takes place inside the tube.

Gene: A structure within the nucleus of a cell that contains hereditary characteristics.  Genes consist of DNA and are found at specific locations on chromosomes.

Genetic abnormality: A disorder resulting from a chromosomal error or a mistake in the structure of a gene.

Genetic Counseling -- The advice offered by experts in genetics on the detection, consequences, and risk of recurrence of chromosomal and genetic disorders.

Germ Cell -- In the male the testicular cell that divides to produce the immature sperm cells; in the woman the ovarian cell that divides to form the egg (ovum). The male germ cell remains intact throughout the man's reproductive life; the woman uses up her germ cells at the rate of about one thousand per menstrual cycle, although usually only one egg matures each cycle.

Gestalt psychotherapy: A type of psychotherapy which emphasizes the wholeness of the person and the integration of thought, feeling, and action.

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

Gland:  An organ that produces a hormone.

GnRH Analogues. Synthetic hormones similar to the naturally occurring gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH). Examples are Lupron and Synarel.

Gonadotropin: A hormone capable of stimulating the testicles or the ovaries to produce sperm or an egg, respectively.

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

Gonal-F -- Recombinant FSH injectable fertility medication used for superovulation.

gonorrhea a venereal disease characterized by inflammation of the mucous membrane of the genitourinary tract.

GPST (Getting Pregnant Self Talk):  Words a persons says to herself in her mind's ear to motivate her to act.  These self-statements combat the negative automatic thoughts that prevent the person from taking necessary actions.

Guided fantasy: Using mental images to help you relax, get motivated, and develop an upbeat attitude.

Gynecologist: A physician who specializes in treating female disorders.

Hamster Penetration Test: A test to determine the penetrating ability of a man's sperm.  The test uses a hamster egg rather than a human egg to assess the sperm's penetrating ability.

Heparin -- A blood thinner given as an injection to prevent blood clots from forming.

Heparin Therapy -- The use of Heparin to thin blood in women with recurrent pregnancy loss or presence of an autoimmune problem, such as antiphospholipid antibodies.

herpes a sexually transmitted virus infection.

Hirsutism -- The overabundance of body hair, such as a mustache or pubic hair growing upward toward the navel, found in women with excess androgens.

HMG:  Human Menopausal Gonadotropin, which is another name for the drug Pergonal.

Home Pregnancy Test (HPT) -- A test a woman can use at home to test urine for the presence of hCG.

Hormone:A chemical, produced by an endocrine gland, which circulates in the blood and has widespread action throughout the body.

Host Uterus -- Also called a "surrogate gestational mother." A couple's embryo is transferred to another woman who carries the pregnancy to term and returns the baby to the genetic parents immediately after birth.

Hostile Mucus -- Cervical mucus that impedes the natural progress of sperm through the cervical canal.

Huhner test:  A postcoital test (PCT) to determine whether sperm are surviving in the cervical mucus after intercourse.

Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG): A hormone produced by the placenta during pregnancy; its detection is the basis for most pregnancy tests. HCG is often used with clomiphene or hMG for the treatment of ovulation problems. HCG is also used during ovulation induction to trigger ovulation.

Human Menopausal Gonadotropin (hMG): An ovulation drug, containing follicle stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone, derived from the urine of postmenopausal women. Pergonal is a brand name.

Humegon (hMG) -- Similar to Pergonal: the lutenizing and follicle-stimulating hormones recovered from the urine of post-menopausal women. Used to stimulate multiple ovulation in some fertility treatments.

Hydrosalpinx:  A fluid filled club shaped fallopian tube which is closed at its end near the ovary.  This condition is a contributor to infertility.

Hyperprolactenemia Increased levels of prolactin in the blood which causes discharges of milky fluid from the breast and irregular or absent ovulation.

Hyperstimulation syndrome: A possible side effect of treatment with human menopausal gonadotropin in which the ovaries become painful and swollen and fluid may accumulate in the abdomen and chest.

Hypothalamus: A thumb sized area in the base of the brain that controls many body functions and regulates the pituitary gland.

Hysterosalpingogram (HSG):  A test to determine whether the fallopian tubes are open (patent).  The test involves injecting dye  and taking an X-ray of the tubes and the uterus.

Hysteroscope: Examination of the inner part of the uterus by means of a telescopic instrument inserted through the vagina and the cervical canal.

Idiopathic (Unexplained) Infertility -- When no cause for infertility can be found after substantial testing.

IF -- See Infertility. (Bulletin Board abbreviation)

Immature Oocyte Retrieval (IOR) -- A procedure in which immature eggs are aspirated from the ovaries and treated in the laboratory with fertility drugs to bring them too maturity. At maturity they are mixed with sperm and any resulting embryos are transferred into the uterus.

Immature Sperm (Germinal Cell) -- A sperm that has not matured and gained the ability to swim. In the presence of illness or infection such sperm may appear in the semen in large numbers.

Immune system:  The body's means of defending itself against injury or invasion by foreign substances.

Immunobead test: A test to check for the presence of antibodies on the sperm.

Immunologist:  One who studies the functioning of the immune system.

Immunotherapy -- A medical treatment for an immune system disorder that involves transfusing donor white blood cells into a woman who has recurrent miscarriages.

Immunoglobulins -- Antibodies.

Immunosupressive Drug -- A drug that interferes with the normal immune response.

Implantation: The embedding of the fertilized egg in the endometrium of the uterus.

Implantation Spotting -- Bleeding associated with an embryo implanting into the endometrium around 5-10 days after ovulation. It is not uncommon, but it is not the norm.

Impotence -- The inability of the man to achieve or maintain an erection and to ejaculate due to physical or emotional problems, or a combination thereof. This is not the same thing as being sterile.

Incompetent Cervix -- A weakened cervix which opens prematurely during pregnancy and can cause the loss of the fetus. A cervical cerclage is a procedure in which a stitch or two is put around the cervix to prevent its opening until removed when the pregnancy is at term.

Incomplete Abortion -- A miscarriage where some tissue has passed but some remains in the uterus.

Infertility: The inability of a couple to achieve a pregnancy after one years of regular unprotected sexual relations, or the inability of the woman to carry a pregnancy to live birth.

Inflammation -- Swelling, redness, heat and pain caused by injury such as infection.

Inhibin -- A male feedback hormone made in the testicles to regulate FSH production by the pituitary gland.

Inhibin-B -- Inhibin B is secreted by the granulosa cells while estradiol is secreted by several other cell types in the ovary. Women with low levels of the hormone were found to have more impaired ovulation in the course of the IVF cycle, lower pregnancy rates, higher cancellation rates and miscarriage rates. Often tested in conjunction with antiovarian antibodies to determine ovarian reserve.

Inhibin-F (Folliculostatin) -- A female feedback hormone made in the ovary to regulate FSH production by the pituitary gland.

Injectables/Injectable Fertility Medications -- Medications given by injection. On INCIID and other infertility forums, the word injectables is commonly used to refer to ovulation induction medications such as hMG (brands Pergonal, Humegon and Repronex), urofollitropins (brands Fertinex and Metrodin), and recombinant FSH follitropins alpha and beta (brands Follistim and Gonal-F).

lnsemination: The installation of semen into a woman's vagina for the purpose of conception.

Intracervical Insemination:  Artificial insemination of sperm into the cervical canal.

Intrauterine Insemination:  Artificial insemination of sperm into the uterine cavity, bypassing the cervix.

Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI) -- A micromanipulation procedure where a single sperm is injected into the egg to enable fertilization with very low sperm counts or with non-motile sperm.

Intramuscular (IM) -- An IM medication is given by needle into the muscle. This is as opposed to a medication that is given by a needle, for example, into the skin (intradermal) or just below the skin (subcutaneous) or into a vein (intravenous).

Intravenous Immunoglobulin (IVIg) -- Intravenous transfer of immunglobulin (antibodies), used for some immune problems.

Insomnia: The inability to sleep.

In Vitro Fertilization (IVF): A method of assisted reproduction that involves surgically removing an egg from the woman's ovary and combining it with sperm in a laboratory dish.  If the egg is fertilized, resulting in a pre-embryo, the pre-embryo is transferred to the woman's uterus.

Isthmus:  The narrow portion of the fallopian tube which is attached to the uterus.

Karyotype -- The chromosomal characteristics of a cell.

Karyotyping -- A chromosome analysis in which cells are studied to look for abnormalities. Testing a fetus may show if there is a chromosomal reason for the pregnancy loss, which causes about 50% of miscarriages. Testing the parents can help determine if there is an underlying chromosomal problem that increases the chances of repeated losses, which occurs in about 3% of couples with recurrent pregnancy loss.

Klinefelter's Syndrome -- A genetic abnormality characterized by having one Y (male) and two X (female) chromosomes or a mosaic (a combination of 46XY and 47XX). Klinefelters often causes a fertility problem, though some men will produce sperm. ART and donor insemination are possible. The condition can be passed on.

Laparoscope:  A small telescopic instrument used to perform a laparoscopy.

Laparoscopy: The direct visualization of the ovaries and the exterior of the fallopian tubes and uterus by means of inserting a surgical instrument through a small incision below the naval.

Laparotomy -- Major abdominal surgery where reproductive organ abnormalities can be corrected and fertility restored, such as tubal repairs and the removal of adhesions.

Last Menstrual Period (LMP) -- The calendar date for the first day of full menstrual flow (cycle day 1).

Legitimation:  The feeling that your partner considers your concerns to be legitimate and valid.

Levelling:  Sharing one's inner world with their partner during communication.

Listening: Actively trying to understand one's partner's inner world of experience.

Lisuride a drug having properties similar to those of Parlodel.

Low Responder -- A woman who does not produce many follicle with injectable fertility medications.

Luteal Phase:  The phase of the menstrual cycle occurring after ovulation.

Luteinized Unruptured Follicle (LUF) Syndrome -- A condition in which the follicle develops and changes into the corpus luteum without releasing the egg. This sometimes goes hand-in-hand with PCO. The use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as Advil, Motrin, and Aleve, near ovulation may also contribute to LUFS.

Lupron:  The trade name for leuprolide acetate, a GNRH analog.  This medicine is injected daily during superovulation to prevent premature ovulation and to allow the doctors to control the follicular phase of the menstrual cycle.

Luteal Phase Defect (LPD):  inadequate functioning of the corpus luteum that can hamper the fertilized egg's ability to implant in the endometrium.

Luteinizing Hormone (LH): A hormone secreted by the anterior lobe of the pituitary throughout the menstrual cycle. Secretion of LH increases in the middle of the cycle to induce release of the egg.

Luteinizing Hormone Surge (LH Surge) -- The spiking release of luteinizing hormone (LH) that causes release of a mature egg from the follicle. Ovulation test kits detect the sudden increase of LH, signaling that ovulation is about to occur (usually within 24-36 hours).

Meditation:  A practice of uncritically attempting to focus attention on one thing at a time.  The technique is used to reduce stress.

Meiosis:  When gametes lose half their chromosomes before fertilization.

Menses: A woman's menstrual flow or period.

Menstruation: The regular shedding of the lining of the uterus, usually occurring each month.

Menstrual cycle:  A cycle involving the development of an egg, its ovulation, and terminating in the shedding of the lining of the uterus.

Mental imagery: The ability to reproduce internally a variety of sensations when the object that stimulated them is no longer physically present.

Mental rehearsal:  Constructing a "movie in your mind" of a future event and rehearsing your behavior in that situation.

Methotrexate -- A toxic anticancer drug that is an analogue of folic acid and an antimetabolite. Used as an antineoplastic agent (to attack abnormal tissue growth). Sometimes used to treat ectopic and molar pregnancies.

Metrodin:  A fertility drug consisting of pure Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH). This drug is no longer being manufactured.

Microsurgical Epididymal Sperm Aspiration (MESA) -- Using microsurgery to remove sperm from the epididymis for use in in vitro fertilization, often with ICSI.

Miscarriage:  spontaneous abortion.

Mittleschmerz -- The discomfort felt on one or both sides of the lower abdomen at the time of ovulation.

Mitosis:  When cells divide in half as the embryo grows.

Molar Pregnancy (Trophoblastic Disease) -- the fertilization of an egg without a nucleus. A baby (usually anomalous) may or may not be present, and the placenta develops into a nonmalignant tumor called a hydatidiform mole. The layer of cells that line the gestational sac and normally give rise to the chorionic villi convert into a mass of clear, tapioca-like vesicles instead of into a healthy placenta. The fertilized egg then deteriorates. Probably caused by a chromosomal abnormality in the fertilized egg. A continuous or intermittent brownish discharge is the prime symptom. Treated by a D&C and sometimes methotrexate.

Morphology -- The shape of sperm as studied in a semen analysis.

Morula -- The stage of cell division prior to blastocyst. It is a solid mass of blastomeres formed by cleavage of a fertilized egg.

Motility of Sperm: The ability of the sperm to move about.

Mucus -- Secretions from a gland that can be water, gel-like, stretchy, sticky or dry. Fertile mucus resembles raw egg whites (watery and stretchy).

mycoplasma an agent causing a sexually transmitted infection

Neuromuscular activation:  A process by which neural activity stimulates the contraction of skeletal muscles.

Neuromuscular relaxation:  A process by which an individual can perform a series of exercises to reduce neural activity and contractile tension in skeletal muscles.

Neuropeptides: peptide hormones produced by the immune system that influence immune activity.

Negative Self-Talk:

Obstetrician-Gynecologist (OB-GYN) -- A doctor who specializes in the diseases and the routine physical care of the reproductive system of women, including treating women through pregnancy and childbirth.

Olfactory:  Involving the sense of smell.

Oligospermia: An abnormally low number of sperm in the ejaculate of the male.

Oocyte:  The egg.

Oocyte Retrieval: A surgical procedure, usually under general anesthesia, to collect the eggs contained within the ovarian follicles. A needle is inserted into the follicle, the fluid and egg are aspirated into the needle, and then placed into a culture medium‑filled dish.

Orgasm:  The sexual climax involving male ejaculation and female experience of intense sexual pleasure and excitement.

Ovary: The sexual gland of the female which produces the hormones estrogen and progesterone, and in which the ova are developed. There are two ovaries, one on each side of the pelvis, and they are connected to the uterus by the fallopian tubes.

Ovarian Failure -- The failure of the ovary to respond to FSH stimulation from the pituitary because of damage to or malformation of the ovary. Diagnosed by elevated FSH in the blood.

Ovarian Cyst -- A fluid-filled sac inside the ovary. An ovarian cyst may be found in conjunction with ovulation disorders, tumors of the ovary, and endometriosis. See also Chocolate Cyst.

Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome (OHSS) -- See Hyperstimulation.

Ovarian Wedge Resection -- Surgical removal of a pie-shaped wedge of a polycystic ovary in order to help ovulation.

Ovulation: The release of a mature egg from the surface of the ovarY.

Ovulation Induction -- Medical treatment performed to initiate ovulation. See also Clomiphene Citrate, Humegon, Pergonal, Repronex, Follistim, Gonal-F, Fertinex

Ovum -- The egg; the reproductive cell from the ovary; the female gamete; the sex cell that contains the woman's genetic information.

Ovum donation:  A procedure in which eggs are retrieved from a fertile donor, fertilized in a laboratory dish by a husband's sperm, and the resulting embryo is replaced in the recipient woman's uterus.

Ovulation Predictor Kit/Test (OPK/OPT) -- A test kit a woman can use at home to predict forthcoming ovulation based on a surge of luteinizing hormone.

Ovulatory Dysfunction -- A problem existing in the ovary where either something is abnormal in the process of developing the follicle or the egg is not released from the follicle.

Panic attacks:  A situation in which a person experiences intense anxiety and feels immobilized.

pap smear  a procedure by which cells are removed from the surface of the cervix and studied under a microscope.

Parlodel  a drug (also known as Bromocriptine) used to suppress prolactin secretion.

Partial Zona Dissection (PZD) -- A predecessor to ICSI in which the zona pellucida, or shell, surrounding a woman's egg is opened, using either chemical dissolution or a sharp instrument to file through the shell, in order to allow easier access for sperm. Can result in too many sperm entering the egg.

Patent -- The condition of being open, as with tubes that form part of the reproductive organs. An HSG, for example, is done to see if the fallopian tubes are patent.

Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) -- An infection of the pelvic organs that causes severe illness, high fever, and extreme pain. PID may lead to tubal blockage and pelvic adhesions.

Penis -- The male organ of sexual intercourse.

Percutaneous Epididymal Sperm Aspiration (PESA) -- A small needle is passed directly into the head of the epididymis and fluid is aspirated. Any sperm found are used in conjunction with in vitro fertilization with ICSI.

Perinatologist -- A doctor specializing in treating the fetus/baby and mother during pregnancy, labor, and delivery, particularly when the mother and/or baby are at a high risk for complications.

Pergolide a drug, similar to Parlodel, used to suppress prolactin secretion.

Pergonal:  A fertility drug consisting of a combination of FSH and LH.

PID (Pelvic Inflammatory Disease) a condition in which a female pelvic organ becomes inflamed, usually as a result of a sexually transmitted disease.

Pituitary gland: An organ lying at the base of the brain which secretes hormones.  This particular gland is known as the "master gland."  The pituitary gland controls most of the other endocrine glands in the body.

Placenta:  A spongy organ attached to the wall of the uterus.  Through this organ the bloodstream passes oxygen to nourish the developing fetus.

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCO):  Development of multiple cysts in the ovaries due to arrested follicular growth. There is an imbalance in the amount of LH and FSH released during the ovulatory cycle.

Polyp;  A small growth in the uterus or cervix.

Polyspermia:  Fertilization of the egg by more than one sperm.

post-coital test (pct)  an examination under the microscope of cervical mucus during the time of maximum fertility to determine the number of sperm surviving in the mucous following intercourse.

Premature Ovarian Failure (POF) -- The cessation of menses associated with high levels of gonadotropins and low levels of estrogen before age 40. The ovary may intermittently produce mature follicles.

Primary Infertility (PI) -- Refers to those struggling with infertility without ever having conceived. Popular usage has been extended to include those who have conceived but not had a live birth.

Profasi:  The trade name for hCG (Human Chorionic Gonadotropin).  See hCG.

Progesterone (P4): A hormone secreted by the corpus luteum of the ovary after ovulation has occurred.  Also produced by the placenta during pregnancy.

progestin a synthetic substance that chemically resembles progesterone.

Progressive Relaxation: A deep muscle relaxation technique in which the individual identifies anxiety by noticing muscle tension and reduces anxiety by relaxing the tense muscles.

Prolactin: The pituitary hormone that in large amounts stimulates milk production.

PROST (Pronuclear Stage Transfer):  Embryos which are transferred at the pronuclear stage.  Also referred to as ZIFT.

Prostaglandin:  Hormone-like substances which can be responsible for cramping if they are not washed away from sperm samples used for intrauterine inseminations.

Psychoneuroendocrinology: A branch of medicine based on the interaction of the brain, the endocrine system, and the immune system.

Psychotherapy: Treatment of mental disorders by psychological methods.

Radiologist: A physician who takes X-rays and specializes in their interpretation.

Recombinant (Human) Follicle Stimulating Hormone (R-FSH, R-hFSH) -- Genetically engineered follicle stimulating hormone as opposed to FSH extracted from the urine of post menopausal women. It is synthesized in vitro by cells into which genes encoding for FSH subunits have been inserted. Brand names are Gonal-F and Follistim.

Recurrent Pregnancy Loss (RPL), Recurrent Miscarriage, Recurrent Spontaneous Abortion (RSA) -- Repeated miscarriages. Testing can be done to try to determine the cause of such losses. If an underlying condition is found, the woman may need to be treated for the problem before a pregnancy can be carried to term.

Reproductive Endocrinologist (RE) -- Obstetrician-Gynecologists with advanced education (usually a two year fellowship), and research in Reproductive Endocrinology. These highly trained and qualified physicians treat Reproductive Disorders that affect children, women, men, and the mature woman.  Some physicians describing themselves as Reproductive Endocrinologists have not completed certification with the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology in the Sub-Specialty of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility

Reproductive Immunologist (RI) -- A medical specialty combining obstetrics and gynecology with immunology to treat reproductive disorders that are related to immune problems.

Repronex (hMG) -- A medication used to replace the pituitary hormones LH and FSH. Similar to Humegon and Pergonal. May be used to induce ovulation in women who do not respond to clomiphene citrate. Most frequently used with women who do not normally produce estrogen because of a pituitary gland or hypothalamic malfunction. May also be used with men to stimulate sperm production.

Resistant Ovary -- An ovary that cannot respond to the follicle-stimulating message sent by FSH. Primitive germ cells will be present in the ovary; however, they will not respond to FSH stimulation.

RESOLVE Inc.:  The national organization devoted to education and advocacy about infertility.

Retrograde Ejaculation -- A male fertility problem that allows the sperm to travel into the bladder instead of out the opening of the penis due to a failure in the sphincter muscle at the base of the bladder.

Retroverted Uterus -- Uterus that is tilted back toward the rectum.

Reversal -- Term used in infertility for undoing a sterilization procedure such as a tubal ligation or vasectomy.

Rh Factor -- Any of one or more genetically determined antigens present in the red blood cells of most persons and capable of inducing intense immunologic reactions. Some women develop a sensitization to Rh during pregnancy. If a woman is Rh negative and her husband is Rh positive, she is a candidate for Rh incompatibility problems. After the first pregnancy, the Rh factor enters the Rh-negative mother's circulatory system during the delivery (or miscarriage) of a child who has inherited the Rh factor from his father. The mother's body then produces antibodies against it. If she becomes pregnant with another Rh-positive baby, the antibodies cross the placenta and attack the baby's red blood cells, causing mild to serious anemia in the baby. The medication Rhogam (called "Anti-D" in Britain and New Zealand) is given to prevent these problems.

Rhogam (Anti-D) -- An immunization given to Rh-negative women after a miscarriage, stillbirth, or live birth to prevent production of antibodies in any Rh-positive babies they may have in future pregnancies.

Secondary infertility:  The inability to conceive or carry a pregnancy after having successfully conceived and carried one or more pregnancies.

Semen: The sperm and seminal secretions ejaculated during orgasm.

Semen Analysis: The 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, and to note their ability to move (motility).

Semen volume:  how much liquid is produced in the semen sample.  Normal is 2-8 ml.

Semen density:  How many sperm are present per milliliter of volume.

Semen viscosity:  How thick or watery the semen sample is.

Seminal vesicles:  Two glands in the male that produce the secretion of a fluid containing fructose and store some sperm prior to ejaculation.

Septum:  A wall in the uterus that should not be there.

Serophene:  A commercial name for the drug Clomiphene Citrate.

Sexually Transmitted Disease (STD) -- An infectious disease transmitted during sex.

Social support: The resources that are provided by other people to help an individual cope with a stressful situation.  These resources can be informational (such as how to get insurance claims reimbursed), emotional (such as comforting a woman when her treatment did not succeed), or tangible (such as lending money to pay for a procedure which a couple could not otherwise afford).

Sonogram (Ultrasound) -- Use of high-frequency sound waves for creating an image of internal body parts. Used to detect and count follicle growth (and disappearance) in many fertility treatments. Also used to detect and monitor pregnancy.

Sonohystogram -- An ultrasound/sonogram in which saline is injected into the uterus. It is used to check for abnormalities. It has some similarity to a hysterosalpingogram in purpose, but does not require iodine dye injection or radiation.

Sperm:  A male reproductive cell.

Sperm Bank -- A place where sperm are kept frozen in liquid nitrogen for later use in artificial insemination.

Sperm Count -- The number of sperm in ejaculate. Also called sperm concentration or sperm density and given as the number of sperm per milliliter.

Sperm Maturation -- A process during which the sperm grow and gain their ability to swim. Sperm take about ninety days to reach maturity.

sperm morphology the shape of a sperm cell.

Sperm precursors: Sperm which are not fully developed and still have twice the number of chromosomes (46 rather than 23) that they should have when they attempt to fertilize an egg.

Sperm Washing: A technique that separates the sperm from the seminal fluid.

Spontaneous abortion:  a miscarriage

Stein-Leventhal Disease -- Another name for Polycystic Ovaries.

Sterility -- An irreversible condition that prevents conception.

Stillbirth -- The death of a fetus between the twentieth week of gestation and birth.

Stress: A dynamic relationship between a person and the environment in which the person judges that the demands of a situation exceed his/her resources for coping with the situation.  Because the demands seem overwhelming, the person's sense of well being feels endangered.

Subzonal Insertion (SUZI) -- A predecessor to ICSI where the zona pellucida is punctured and sperm inserted into the area between the zona and the egg. Having more than one sperm enter the egg is a potential problem with this procedure.

Superovulation:  Another name for controlled ovarian hyperstimulation which is the method of using fertility drugs to stimulate the production of many egg cells.

Surrogate Gestational: Carrier woman who gestates an embryo which is not genetically related toher, and then turns over the child to its genetic parents.

Surrogate Mother -- A woman who is artificially inseminated and carries to term a baby that will be adopted and raised by its genetic father and his partner. The term is usually used for a woman who is the biological mother of the baby she is carrying, while a gestational host carries a fetus that is not genetically hers.

Swim up technique:  A technique for extracting the best sperm from a sperm sample.  After a sperm sample has been washed, a small amount of culture media is placed in a test tube which is placed in an incubator.  The most actively motile sperm swim up from the bottom of the tube and the sluggish ones as well as any debris remain on the bottom.

Synarel  the commercial name for a GnRH analogue, similar to Lupron.

Syphilis: A sexually transmitted disease that can lead to paralysis, insanity, and death within several years.

TDI (Therapeutic Donor Insemination):  Artificial insemination by donor.

Termination -- The ending of a pregnancy by choice by induced labor (resulting in a live birth or stillbirth) or abortion.

Testes: The 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:  The removal of a piece of testis by a surgical procedure in order to study it microscopically.

Testicular Sperm Aspiration (TESA) -- A needle biopsy of the testicle used to obtain small amounts of sperm. A small incision is made in the scrotal skin and a spring loaded needle is fired through the testicle. Usually does not result in enough sperm to freeze for later use.

Testicular Sperm Extraction (TESE) -- An open biopsy where a small piece of testicular tissue is removed through a skin incision. The tissue is placed in culture media and separated into tiny pieces. Sperm are released from within the seminiferous tubules where they are produced and are then extracted from the surrounding testicular tissue. This procedure can be done using local anesthetic of IV sedation. It is possible to get enough sperm to freeze for future use.

Testosterone: The most potent male sex hormone, produced in the testicles.  It stimulates the development of secondary sex characteristics such as beard growth during puberty.

TET (Tubal Embryo Transfer):  Placement of an embryo into the fallopian tube from which it migrates to the uterus, rather than directly placing the embryo in the uterus, as it is done in IVF.

Testicular Stress Pattern -- A semen analysis result showing depressed sperm production, poor sperm motility, and poor sperm morphology. The pattern is consistent with secondary testicular failure or illness.

Testicular Torsion -- When testicle twists on itself, cutting off its own blood supply. Causes extreme pain, and requires immediate surgical repair to reduce damage to the testicle.

Testosterone -- The male hormone responsible for the formation of secondary sex characteristics and for supporting the sex drive. Testosterone is also necessary for spermatogenesis.

Therapeutic Abortion -- A termination of a pregnancy sue to sever abnormalities in the fetus or where the mother's health is at risk.

Tubal Patency: Unobstructed Fallopian tubes.

Tubal Embryo Transfer (TET) -- The placement of an embryo inside the fallopian tube after in vitro fertilization. The process is meant to mimic the natural process of a fertilized embryo traveling down the tube and implanting in the uterus.

Tubal Ligation -- Surgical sterilization of a woman by obstructing or tying the fallopian tubes.

Turner's Syndrome -- The most common genetic defect contributing to female fertility problems. The ovaries fail to form and appear as slender threads of atrophic ovarian tissue, referred to as streak ovaries. Karyotyping will reveal that this woman has only one female (X) chromosome instead of two or a mosaic (46XX and 45X).

ultrasound: A technique for visualizing the follicles in the ovaries and the fetus in the uterus, allowing the estimation of size.

Unexplained infertility:  The diagnosis given to a couple who have had extensive diagnostic tests which fail to determine a cause for their infertility.

Urologist:  A physician who specializes in diseases of the urinary tract.

Uterus: A hollow muscular structure which is part of the female reproductive tract.  The major function of the uterus is to protect and nourish the developing fetus.

Vagina: A tubular passageway in the female connecting the external sex organs with the cervix and uterus.

Vaginismus -- A 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.

Vaginitis -- An inflammation of the vagina. Yeast, bacterial vaginosis, or trichomonas infections of the vagina. Frequent vaginitis may indicate the presence of pelvic adhesions and tubal blockage from other infections, such as chlamydia. Vaginitis may interfere with sperm penetration of the cervical mucus, and the symptoms may even interfere with the ability and desire to have intercourse.

Varicocele: A varicose vein in the testicles, sometimes a cause of male infertility.

Varicocelectomy:  A surgical procedure to correct a varicocele.

Vas Deferens: A pair of thick‑walled tubes about 45 cm long in the male that lead from the epididymis to the ejaculatory duct in the prostate. During ejaculation, the ducts make wave‑like contractions to propel sperm forward.

Venereal Disease -- Any infection that can be sexually transmitted, such as chlamydia, gonorrhea, ureaplasma, and syphilis. Many of these diseases will interfere with fertility and some will cause severe illness. See also PID.

Viable -- Capable of sustaining life. Often used to describe an early pregnancy in which a heartbeat has been seen.

Virus -- A microscopic infectious organism that reproduces inside living cells.

Viscosity -- The thickness of semen.

X Chromosome -- The congenital, developmental, or genetic information in the cell that transmits the information necessary to make a female. All eggs contain one X chromosome, and half of all sperm carry an X chromosome. When two X chromosomes combine, the baby will be a girl.

Y Chromosome -- The genetic material that transmits the information necessary to make a male. The Y chromosome can be found in one-half of the man's sperm cells. When an X and a Y chromosome combine, the baby will be a boy.

Zoladex Like Lupron and Synarel, Zoladex (Goserelin Acetate) is sometimes used for the treatment of endometriosis.  It works by suppressing estrogen and reducing estrogen to a post-menopausal level.  It's side effects are similar to those reported for Synarel

Zona pellucida: The outer covering of the ovum that the sperm must penetrate before fertilization can occur.

Zygote: An embryo in early development state.

ZIFT (Zygote Intrafallopian Transfer):  The transfer of a fertilized egg in an early stage of development (called a zygote) into the fallopian tube so that it can migrate to the uterus and implant.  ZIFT is also sometimes referred to as PROST.