| Anovulation |
Absence of ovulation. |
| Azoospermia |
The absence of sperm in the semen sample. |
| Basal Body Temperature (BBT) Chart |
A BBT chart is a simple and inexpensive means of assessing whether ovulation has taken place in the menstrual cycle. Whilst it is not a good method for predicting when ovulation will occur, examination of the completed chart at the end of the month allows the determination of whether ovulation has occurred, and if so, when this took place.
The method relies on the fact that if ovulation occurs, the resultant hormonal events cause the body temperature of the female to increase slightly during the second half of the menstrual cycle. The temperature must be recorded at the same time every day as soon as possible after waking in the morning. It should be measured before getting out of bed and recorded on the chart. At the end of the cycle, trace of the temperature recorded on each day allows us to examine whether and when ovulation had occurred. A new temperature chart should be used at the commencement of a menstrual period.
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| Cryopreservation |
A procedure to preserve (by freezing) and store embryos or gametes (egg or sperm). |
| Corpus Luteum |
A small special gland in the ovary at the site of ovulation and produces progesterone during the second half of the menstrual cycle. It essential to prepare the uterine inner lining for implantation of the embryo. |
| Ectopic pregnancy |
A pregnancy in which the fertilized egg implants anywhere but in the uterine cavity (most commonly in the fallopian tubes). |
| Embryo |
The term to described the early stage of a fetus starting from fertilization. |
| Embryo transfer |
Introduction of the embryo into a woman’s womb after IVF. |
| Epididymis |
An elongated (4-6 meters long) and coiled tubes lying above the testicles. It is where the sperm are stored, nourished and ripened after production. |
| Estrogen (E2) |
A class of female hormones, produced mainly by the ovaries from the onset of puberty until menopause. |
| Fallopian tubes |
A pair of narrow tubes connecting to the uterus. They act to pick up eggs released by the ovary, to transport sperm and embryos. It is also where fertilization normally occurs. |
| Fertilization |
The penetration of an egg by the sperm and fusion of genetic materials to result in the development of an embryo. |
| Fetus |
The developing baby in the uterus. |
| Follicle |
Fluid filled sacs in the ovary with nurture the ripening egg. |
| Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) |
A hormone produced and released from the pituitary gland that stimulates the ovary to ripen a follicle for ovulation. |
| Gamete |
A sperm or an egg. |
| Gonadotropin |
A hormone (injectable drug) used to stimulate the ovaries and testes to produced an egg or sperm, respectively. |
| Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (HCG) |
A hormone secreted by the placenta during pregnancy that helps to sustain the pregnancy. |
| Hysterosalpingogram (HSG) |
A hysterosalpingogram is an X-ray test which is used to visualize certain structures in the female pelvis. No anesthetic is necessary. It is usually performed early in the cycle to ensure that female is not pregnant and therefore not exposed to any radiation. A vaginal examination is necessary so that a radio-opaque dye can be passed from the vagina through the cervix into the uterus and Fallopian tubes. Whilst the dye is flowing, a few X-Rays are taken which outlines the inner cavity of the uterus and Fallopian tubes and at the same time to the tubes can be assessed to see if there is any blockage.
Whilst this test provides information about the shape of the uterine cavity and the state of the tubes, it will not detect endometriosis or pelvic adhesions. |
| Implantation |
The embedding of the embryo into the uterus. |
| Infertility |
The inability of a couple to achieve a pregnancy after one year of regular unprotected sexual intercourse. |
| Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) |
A single sperm is injected directly into an egg to assist fertilization. |
| Intruterine insemination (IUI) |
Transfer of sperm into the woman’s womb. |
| In-vitro fertilization (IVF) |
A procedure in which an egg is removed from a ripe follicle and fertilized by a sperm outside the human body. The embryo is then transferred back to the woman’s womb. |
| Laparoscopy |
A laparoscopy and dye test is a diagnostic operation which is performed under general anaesthesia. A laparoscope is like a very narrow telescope which is inserted into the abdominal cavity through a very small incision just below the umbilicus at the operation. Through the laparoscope, a good view of the uterus, ovaries and the Fallopian tubes is obtained. Dye can then be passed through the cervix up into the uterus and tubes. The operator can check the tubal patency and the peritoneal cavity to look for endometriosis or adhesion at the same time.
Therapeutic surgery such as excision of the endometriosis, division of pelvic adhesion, reconstructive tubal surgery can be performed at the same time when indicated.
Some discomfort may persist for 24 hours after the operation. The patient can usually go home 1-2 days later.
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| Laparotomy |
Abdominal open surgery. |
| Lutening hormone (LH) |
A hormone secreted by the pituitary gland through out the menstrual cylce. It increased at the middle of the cycle and helps to release the egg. |
| Luteal phase |
The time period between the start of ovulation and the next menstrual cycle, when the corpus luteum develops.
Luteal phase support is when additional injections (hCG) or vaginal pessaries or cream (progesterone) are given to the woman after the time of ovulation to maintain the inner lining of the uterus. The aim of luteal phase support is to increase progesterone levels in the body which help to provide a good environment in the uterus for embryo implantation. |
| Microepididymal sperm aspiration (MESA) |
Direct sperm retrieval from the epididymis. |
| Motility of sperm |
The ability of the sperm to move about. |
| Oligospermia |
An abnormally low number of sperm in the semen sample. |
| Occyte |
The egg. |
| Occyte retrieval |
It is a surgical procedure to collect the eggs from the follicles in the ovary by inserting a needle into the ovary through the vagina. |
| Ovaries |
The female sexual glands which produces the female hormones and where the eggs are developed. There are two ovaries and one on each side and they are connected to the uterus. |
| Ovulation |
The release of a mature egg from the ovary. |
| Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) |
Development of multiple cysts in the ovaries due to arrested follicular growth. It is associated with abnormal hormonal levels. It frequently cause anovulation, infertility and irregular menstruation. |
| Progestagens |
Hormones similar to progesterone. |
| Progesterone |
A hormone secreted by the corpus luteum of the ovary after ovualtion has occurred. It is also produced by the placenta during pregnancy. |
| Semen |
The fluid containing sperm and secretions. |
| Semen analysis |
The study of the semen under microscope to assess the count, motility and normal forms of sperm. |
| Sonohysterography |
This is a newer test that examines the uterus and tube using ultrasound. |
| Sperm |
The male reproductive cell carrying the genetic materials of the male partner. |
| Testes |
The male sexual glands which produce male hormones and sperm. There are two testes, one on each side and it is contained in the scrotum. |
| Testicular sperm extraction (TESE) |
Direct sperm retrieval from the testis. |
| Testosterone |
Male sex hormone. |
| Tubal patency |
Unobstructed fallopian tubes. |
| Uterus |
Womb, the female reproductive organ which houses and nourishes the developing fetus. |
| Vas deferens |
The tubes connecting the epididymis to the ejacutlatory ducts. |
| World Health Organization (WHO) criteria of a normal semen analysis |
Volume: 2.0 ml or more
PH: 7.2-8.0
Sperm concentration: 20 x 10^6 spermatozoa / ml or more
Motility: 50% or more with forward progression or 25% or more with rapid progression
Morphology: 30% or more with normal forms
Vitality: 75% or more live
White blood cells: Fewer than 1 x 10^6 / ml
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