| ART |
Assisted Reproductive Technology - a collective term for the different types of infertility treatments |
| ADHESION |
Scar tissue, in particular between the abdominal and/or pelvic organs often the result of an infection/inflammation |
| ANEMBRYONIC PREGNANCY |
No foetal heartbeat is visible at the 6-8 week scan |
| ANTAGONIST CYCLE |
A type of treatment process that requires the use of a medication that prevents ovulation during an IVF cycle |
| BIOCHEMICAL PREGNANCY |
Fertilisation and implantation have occurred resulting in a positive pregnancy test. The pregnancy ends at a very early stage prior to ultrasound confirmation |
| BLASTOCYST |
An embryo five to six days after fertilisation |
| CERVIX |
Lower section of the uterus which protrudes into the top of the vagina |
| CRYOPRESERVATION |
Preservation (by freezing) of surplus embryos, eggs or sperm |
| DONATION EMBRYO |
The process where a couple donate frozen embryo/s to another party (recipients) for use in infertility treatment |
| DONATION SPERM |
The process where a male donor donates sperm to another party (recipient) for use in infertility treatment |
| DONATION EGG |
The process where a female donor donates eggs to another party (recipient) for use in infertility treatment |
| EGG COLLECTION |
Surgical collection of egg/s from the follicles in the ovary |
| EGG TIMER TEST |
A blood test and pelvic ultrasound scan to indicate the likely fertility status of a woman |
| EMBRYO |
After fertilisation the egg begins to divide and multiply and is now called an embryo |
| EMBRYO BIOPSY |
The removal of one or two cells, from an early IVF embryo for preimplantation genetic screening |
| EMBRYO TRANSFER |
Placement of embryo/s into the uterus |
| ENDOMETRIOSIS |
A medical condition where the endometrium is located outside the uterus in the pelvic cavity |
| ENDOMETRIUM |
The membrane that lines the inner surface of the uterus |
| EXTENDED CULTURE |
The term used to describe growth of embryos in culture for 4-6 days. |
| FALLOPIAN TUBES |
Tubes that extend from the uterus to the ovary and serve as a passageway for the egg and sperm to meet. The fallopian tube is the place where fertilisation occurs. |
| FERTILISATION |
The earliest stage of development after the penetration of the egg by a sperm |
| FET |
Frozen Embryo Transfer, a procedure in which frozen embryo/s are thawed and then transferred to the uterus |
| FOLLICLE |
A small secretory sac in the ovary in which an egg develops |
| FOLLICULAR PHASE |
First half of the menstrual cycle before ovulation |
| FSH |
Follicle Stimulating Hormone which is produced by the anterior pituitary gland and stimulates the growth of follicles in the female. FSH also induces the development of sperm in the testicle |
| GAMETE |
The male and female reproductive cells (egg or sperm) |
| HCG |
Human chorionic gonadotrophin The hormone measured to diagnose a pregnancy |
| HORMONE |
A chemical substance, secreted by the endocrine glands, which is carried by the blood stream to the target organ influencing its activity, growth and nutrition |
| ICSI |
Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection, is a process where a single sperm is injected into an egg |
| IMPLANTATION |
The embedding of the embryo into the lining of the uterus |
| IN VITRO |
Outside the body |
| IN VIVO |
Inside the body |
| |
Intrauterine Insemination, is a procedure where sperm are placed directly into the uterus at the time of ovulation |
| IVF |
In Vitro Fertilisation. A procedure in which an egg is removed from a follicle and fertilised by a sperm outside the human body. The resultant embryo can then be transferred into the uterus |
| LAPAROSCOPY |
Diagnostic procedure where an instrument (laparoscope) is inserted through a small incision just below the umbilicus, to enable visualisation of the pelvic cavity and its organs |
| LH |
Luteinising Hormone. Produced by the pituitary gland and responsible for stimulating ovulation. |
| LUTEAL PHASE |
The second half of the menstrual cycle after ovulation until the menstrual period |
| MENEVIT |
Vitamin supplement for men containing anti oxidants to support sperm health |
| MENOPAUSE |
The permanent cessation of menstruation following the loss of ovarian function |
| MENOPAUSE (EARLY) |
Menopause in women less than 46 years of age |
| MENOPAUSE (PREMATURE) |
Menopause in women less than or equal to 35 years of age |
| MISCARRIAGE |
Loss of pregnancy |
| OESTROGEN |
A major female hormone that is produced primarily by the ovaries |
| OHSS |
Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome. A group of symptoms which is associated with ovarian enlargement during IVF treatment cycle. |
| OOCYTE |
The egg cell (gamete, ovum) produced in the ovary each month |
| OVULATION |
The process of release of a mature egg from an ovary |
| OVUM |
Female gamete (egg) contained in a follicle |
| PATENT TUBES |
A term used to describe fallopian tubes that are open allowing free passage for the egg, sperm and embryo |
| PGS |
Preimplantation Genetic Screening - the process of taking cells from an embryo to check the number of chromosomes or to test for a specific genetic abnormality. |
| PITUITARY GLAND |
The gland located at the base of the brain, which controls hormone functions in the human body |
| PROGESTERONE |
Hormone produced by the ovary in the Luteal phase. Its main function is to change the growth of the endometrium and assist with the implantation of the embryo. |
| SEMEN |
Fluid containing sperm |
| SPERMATOZOON |
Mature male sperm cell (gamete) produced by the testicle |
| ULTRASOUND SCAN |
An ultrasound wave scan of the uterus/ovaries/follicles for investigation of infertility and/or scan of the uterus for the confirmation of pregnancy |
| UTERUS |
Female reproductive organ where a pregnancy develops |
| VAGINA |
Passageway between the external genitals and the uterus |
