Agonist:
A synthetically hormone produced as a duplicate of a natural one.
Amniocentesis:
Analysis of cells of the baby by assessing some of the liquid in which the fetus develops.
Andrologist:
Male infertility specialist (can be an urologist or gynaecologist)
Insemination:
The introduction of sperm cells by help of a catheter into the womb.
Asthenozoospermia:
Reduced sperm motility (activity).
Azoospermia:
No spermatozoid (live sperm cells) in the semen. Biological mother and father: Providers of the eggs and sperm cells.
Biopsy:
Removal of a sample from a tissue.
Donor:
Provider of sperm, oocyte, embryo and such for transfer.
Fertilization:
The egg and sperm cell joining to become one cell.
Ejaculation:
The ejection of semen (sperm).
Embryo:
A fertilized egg, starting of two cells till the second month of pregnancy Endometriosis: Endometrium cells, which should normally be in the uterus, are present somewhere else in the body, usually in the abdomen cavity.
Endometrium:
The layer/lining covering the inner part of the uterus.
Fetus:
Name given to the embryo after two months.
Physiology:
Scientific field studying functions and specifications of the organs and tissue.
Follicle:
Tissue/Units inside the ovary containing follicular fluid and the egg.
FSH (Follicle Stimulating Hormone):
Hormone secreted by the pituitary gland (hyphohpysis) that causes the development of follicles in women and spermatogenesis in men.
Genetic GnRH (Gonadotropin Releasing Hormone):
Hormone secreted by the brain that controls the hyphophysis.
HCG (Human Chorionic Gonadotropin):
Hormone released by the embryo, used in diagnosing pregnancy. Due to its similarity to LH (Luteinizing Hormone), medication containing this hormone is given to the patient to start ovulation.
Hemophilia:
A type of bleeding disorder. Bleeding lasts longer because the blood doesn’t clot as it should.
Hyperstimulation:
Ovaries over-reacting to stimulation due to hormonal medication. Ovaries are enlarged and cysts may develop.
Hyphophysis:
Gland which controls almost all metabolic processes related to secretion of hormones located at the base of the brain.
Hysterosalpingography:
It is a radiologic investigation of the uterus and fallopian tubes to assess their inner structure.
HMG (Human Menopausal Gonadotropin):
Medication containing FSH and LH hormones to stimulate the ovaries.
ICSI (Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection):
Injecting a spermatozoid into the egg. It is the most common micromanipulation method.
Implantation:
The beginning stage of pregnancy when the embryo adheres to the endometrium cells in the uterus.
Infertile:
A person who cannot have a child in a certain amount of time.
Infertility:
Not having a child in a certain amount of time.
Incubator:
A device in which embryo is developed (embryo culture) in a temperature close human temperature.
Insemination:
Introducing sperm into the uterus or to put spermatozoid together with the eggs for fertilization.
IVF (In Vitro Fertilization):
Test tube baby.
Catheter:
A plastic thin tube used to place sperm and the embryo.
Cordocentesis:
Removal of a piece of the umbilical cord of the fetus for analysis.
Corpus Luteum:
After ovulation, the remaining follicle changes into this tissue.
Chromosome:
It is the structure within the nucleus of each cell which provides genetic heritage. There are 46 chromosomes in humans.
Culture Medium:
Fluid which helps the development of the embryo in a laboratory environment.
Laparoscopy:
A surgical method to monitor inside the abdomen.
LH (Luteinizing Hormone):
Hormone, which triggers ovulation, secreted by the hyphophysis.
Menopause:
End of monthly (period) cycle.
Micromanipulation:
Method to introduce spermatozoid into the egg. Microinjection is the most common one.
Microinjection:
Injecting the spermatozoid into the egg.
Molecular Biology:
Area of science studying structures inside cells.
Oligozoospermia:
Refers to semen with low concentrations of sperm.
Oocyte:
Egg; female genital cell.
Ovary:
Ovum producing female reproductive organ.
Ovulation:
Egg production.
Oestradiol:
Female hormone secreted by follicle and corpus luteum.
Pipette:
Thin glass tube.
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome:
Presence of a lot of small cysts in the ovaries.
Post Coital Test:
Assessment of a woman’s cervical mucus and the presence and activity of sperm.
Progesterone:
Hormone secreted by corpus luteum.
Pronucleus:
Nucleus of a cell containing 23 chromosomes. One carries female and the other male chromosomes.
Serum:
Fluid extracted after blood has clotted.
Cycle (cyclus):
Duration of time between the first day of the menstrual cycle to menstruation day. On average it takes 28 days.
Sperm Bank:
Facility where healthy sperm is frozen stored (cryopreserved) in liquid nitrogen.
Sperm Canals:
Passage for the sperm/semen starting from the testis (testicle) and going to the tip of the penis.
Spermatid:
Previous stage of a spermatozoid.
Spermatogenesis:
Process in which the spermatozoid is developed.
Spermatozoid:
Mature male germ cell (sperm cell).
Sterile:
Not able to produce child.
Teratozoospermia:
Increase in abnormal spermatozoid morphology.
Testis/Testicle:
Male reproductive gland producing sperm.
Test Tube Baby:
One reproductive assistance technology which is used to develop the embryo in a laboratory environment (outside of the human body)
Varicocele:
Abnormal enlargement of testis veins.
Stimulation of the ovaries:
Introducing medication such as GnRH analogues, hMG and hCG to the patient in order to produce more than one egg.
