The staff at the Reproductive Medicine Group has compiled a list of frequently used terms
that you will see throughout your treatment and on this website. Please use the following
list so you may better understand the procedures and treatments offered.
v
In Vitro Fertilization and Embryo Transfers: In IVF, eggs are extracted
from a woman and combined in a laboratory with sperm from a man. Fertilization
usually takes place in one day. The resulting embryos are kept in an incubator
for three to five days, after which time they are checked for appropriate
development, and then transferred into the woman’s uterus.
v
Egg Donation: For women who lack good quality eggs due to advanced age, or
don’t want to risk passing on a known genetic disease. The process takes eggs,
usually from a younger woman, fertilizes them with the male’s sperm and places
them into the patient’s uterus.
v
Gestational Surrogacy: This is an option for women with viable eggs, but
who don’t have a normal uterus or can’t carry a baby for other medical reasons. A
woman’s eggs are removed, fertilized with the male’s sperm and the embryo is implanted
in a surrogate mother’s uterus.
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Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI): This is used when there is male-factor
infertility and involves extracting a single sperm and injecting it into an egg
membrane to achieve fertilization.
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Microscopic Epididymal Sperm Aspiration (MESA): Used to obtain sperm when a
man’s vas deferens is obstructed. Sperm is removed through an opening made in the skin.
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Testicular Sperm Extraction (TESE): Used to obtain sperm from a testicle
for ICSI in cases of azospermia.
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Cryopreservation: A process that preserves embryos for later implantation.
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Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis (PGD): Technique used during In Vitro
Fertiliztion procedures to test the embryos for genetic or chromosomal disorders
prior to their transfer into the uterus.
v
Reproductive Endocrinologist: A sub specialist physician who has
received training (a residency) in Obstetrics and Gynecology, advanced training
(a fellowship) in the treatment of infertility, recurrent miscarriages, and hormonal
disorders in women.
v
Laparoscopy: An abdominal surgical exploration using a special
telescope (laparoscope) to view the fallopian tubes, ovaries, and uterus.
v
Ultrasonography: A radiological procedure performed either
transvaginally or abdominally that uses sound waves to assess uterine fibroids,
ovarian cysts, pelvic masses, pelvic pain, and other gynecologic problems. It
is also used to track the development of egg-bearing follicles during ovulation
induction.
v
Advanced Reproductive Technologies (ART): Used to assist couples in
overcoming infertility through the joining of the sperm and egg outside of the body
and the transfer of resulting embryos. These procedures include: In Vitro
Fertilization, Donor Oocyte IVF, Micromanipulation (ICSI and AH), Cryopreservation
of embryos and sperm related procedures.
v
Assisted Hatching (AH): A small opening is made in the shell of the
embryo to improve the chances of implantation.
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Ovulation Induction: The stimulation of ovaries to produce eggs.
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Aspiration: A method of obtaining eggs by needle through the vagina.
v
Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH): A hormone produced and released from
the pituitary that stimulates the ovary to ripen a follicle for ovulation. Elevated
levels early in the cycle may indicate decreased quality and quantity of the eggs.
v
Follicle: The fluid-filled sac on the ovary that has nurtured the egg
and from which the egg is release during ovulation or aspiration.
v
Gamete: A generic term referring to either the male sperm or the
female oocyte (egg).
v
Oocyte: The egg produced in the ovaries each month.
v
Zygote: The cell resulting after fertilization of the oocyte by the sperm.
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