Adenomyosis A form of endometriosis marked by the presence of endometrium-like epithelium and stroma outside the endometrium in the myometrium.

Adhesions Bands of fibrous scar tissue that may bind the abdominal and pelvic organs, including the intestines and peritoneum, to each other. They can be dense and thick or filmy and thin.

Adoption The legal process to become the legal parent or parents of a child, which takes away the legal rights of anyone who previously had parental responsibility for the child.

Age Specific Fertility Rate (ASFR) The number of live births per woman in a particular age group in a specific calendar year expressed per 1000 women in that age group.

Agglutination Clumping of spermatozoa in the ejaculate.

Andrology The medical practice dealing with the health of the male reproductive system.

Aneuploidy An abnormal number of chromosomes in a cell. The majority of embryos with aneuploidies are not compatible with life.

Anti-müllerian Hormone (AMH) A hormone often measured in a woman during her fertility work-up to help determine her egg, or “ovarian reserve”. It is secreted by small, growing ovarian follicles.

Antral Follicle Count The number of follicles noted by ultrasound at the beginning of the menstrual cycle, usually day 2 or 3, and is a reflection of ovarian reserve.

Artificial Insemination The process by which sperm is directly placed into a woman’s cervix, fallopian tubes, or uterus. The most common method is intrauterine insemination (IUI).

Aspermia Lack of external ejaculation.

Assisted Hatching A procedure in which the zona pellucida of an embryo is either thinned or perforated by chemical, mechanical, or laser methods to facilitate embryo implantation and pregnancy.

Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) All treatments that include the handling of both human eggs, sperm, or embryos for the purpose of reproduction, e.g. in vitro fertilisation, intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI).

Asthenoteratozoospermia Reduced percentages of motile and morphologically normal sperm in the ejaculate below the lower reference limit. When reporting results, the reference criteria should be specified.

Asthenozoospermia Reduced percentage of motile sperm in the ejaculate below the lower reference limit. When reporting results, the reference criteria should be specified.

Azoospermia The absence of spermatozoa in the ejaculate.

BHCG A blood test to check if there is a hormone called human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) in your blood which can show up if you are pregnant.

Biochemical Pregnancy When a pregnancy test is positive on blood test or urine test, but becomes negative before a gestational sac is visible on ultrasound.

Birth The complete expulsion or extraction from a woman of a fetus after 22 completed weeks of gestational age, irrespective of whether it is a live birth or stillbirth, or, if gestational age is unknown, a birth weight more than 500 grams. A single birth refers to an individual newborn; and a delivery of multiple births, such as a twin delivery, would be registered as two births.

Blastocyst Embryo development that occurs around day 5–6 after insemination or ICSI. The blastocyst contains a fluid-filled cavity (blastocoele) and the cells have begun to form the early placenta and embryo.

Bleeding after Oocyte Aspiration Significant bleeding, internal or external, after oocyte aspiration retrieval requiring hospitalization for blood transfusion, surgical intervention, clinical observation, or other medical procedure.

Canceled ART Cycle An ART cycle in which ovarian stimulation or monitoring has been initiated with the intention to treat, but which did not proceed to follicular aspiration or not proceed to embryo transfer.

Cervical Canal The passageway leading from the vagina into the uterus.

Cervical Mucous A fluid that enhances the transport of the sperm into the endometrial cavity.

Cervix The opening to the uterus.

Chlamydia Chlamydia is one of the most common sexually transmitted bacterial infections and affects both men and women. It often does not cause any obvious symptoms. The disease can be spread during genital contact or unprotected sexual intercourse (including anal and oral sex) with an infected person or from an infected mother to her baby during childbirth.

Cleavage Stage Embryos Embryos beginning with the 2-cell stage and up to, but not including, the morula stage.

Clinical Pregnancy A pregnancy confirmed by increasing levels of BhCG and presence of a gestational sac detected by ultrasound.

Clinical Pregnancy Rate The number of clinical pregnancies expressed per 100 initiated cycles, aspiration cycles, or embryo transfer cycles. When clinical pregnancy rates are recorded, the denominator (initiated, aspirated, or embryo transfer cycles) must be specified.

Comifene Citrate (Clomid) Clomid is a fertility drug used to stimulate the ovaries to produce more eggs. It’s often the first course of treatment for patients with polycystic ovaries but it can also be used by patients who have late or irregular periods.

Conception When an egg is fertilized by sperm and then starts to grow in the womb.

Congenital Malformations Structural or functional disorders that occur during intra-uterine life and can be identified prenatally, at birth, or later in life. Congenital malformations can be caused by single gene defects, chromosomal disorders, multifactorial inheritance, environmental teratogens, and micronutrient deficiencies. The time of identification should be reported.

Cryopreservation Freezing at a very low temperature, using liquid nitrogen (-196°C) to keep embryos, eggs, or sperm viable. Eggs, sperm, and embryos can be kept cryopreserved for many years.

Delayed Ejaculation A condition in which it takes a man an extended period of time to reach orgasm and ejaculation.

Diminished Ovarian Reserve A term generally used to indicate a reduced number and/or reduced quality of oocytes, such that the ability to reproduce is decreased.

Diploidy/Euploidy The condition in which a cell has two haploid sets of chromosomes. Each chromosome in one set is paired with its counterpart in the other set. A diploid embryo has 22 pairs of autosomes and two sex chromosomes, the normal condition.

Donor Insemination The process of placing laboratory processed sperm or semen from a man into the reproductive tract of a woman who is not her intimate sexual partner, for the purpose of initiating a pregnancy.

Ectopic Pregnancy A non-viable pregnancy outside the uterine cavity, usually in the fallopian tube.

Egg (Oocyte) The female gamete (ovum), produced by the ovary.

Egg (Oocyte) Collection A procedure performed to collect the eggs produced from an IVF/ICSI cycle. This can be performed under sedation or a General Anaesthetic.

Egg Donation The donation of eggs to a treatment clinic for other patients to use in their fertility treatment.

Egg Freezing A treatment where a patient has their eggs collected and frozen for future use.

Egg Sharing Egg sharing is when a patient who is already having IVF donates some of their eggs to the clinic where they’re having treatment, usually in return for some free or discounted treatment. This is also sometimes referred to as ‘benefits in kind.’

Ejaculation Coordinated contractions of the genitourinary tract leading to the ejection of spermatozoa and seminal fluid.

Embryo A fertilized egg that has started to develop is known as an embryo until eight weeks of pregnancy, and then a fetus until birth.

Embryo Culture Growth of the embryo in a laboratory dish.

Embryo Donation An ART cycle, which consists of the transfer of an embryo to the uterus of a female recipient, resulting from gametes that did not originate from the female recipient or from her male partner, if present.

Embryo Freezing Couples with good quality embryos they’re not ready to use have the option of freezing them to use in the future or to donate.

Embryo Transfer (ET) The process of transferring embryos from the culture in which they have been developing in the lab, into the womb at any stage from day 1 to day 7 after IVF or ICSI.

Embryologist Lab scientists who prepare eggs and sperms for the intended fertility treatment, and monitor all the subsequent lab processes.

Endometriosis Endometriosis is a condition where tissue similar to the lining of the womb starts to grow in other places, such as the ovaries and fallopian tubes. It is often associated with infertility and can be associated with pelvic pain.

Epididymis The duct between testes and vas deferens where sperm are stored and mature.

Erectile Dysfunction Inability to have and/or sustain an erection sufficient for intercourse.

Estrogen The female hormone largely responsible for thickening the uterine lining during the first half of the menstrual cycle in preparation for ovulation and possible pregnancy. Estradiol (E2) is the main estrogen produced by ovarian follicular cells.

Excessive Ovarian Response An exaggerated response to ovarian stimulation characterized by the presence of more follicles than intended. Generally, more than 20 follicles >12 mm in size and/or more than 20 oocytes collected following ovarian stimulation are considered excessive, but these numbers are adaptable according to ethnic and other variables.

Fallopian Tubes A pair of tubes connected to the uterus and positioned near the ovaries. It is where sperm and egg meet in normal conception and fertilization occurs. The fallopian tubes transport the embryo to the uterus.

Female Infertility Infertility caused primarily by female factors encompassing: ovulatory disturbances; diminished ovarian reserve; anatomical, endocrine, genetic, functional, or immunological abnormalities of the reproductive system; chronic illness; and sexual conditions incompatible with coitus.

Fertilization Sperm penetrating the egg which can lead to pregnancy.

Fertility The ability to conceive a baby and to become pregnant.

Fertility Care Interventions that include fertility awareness, support, and fertility management with an intention to assist individuals and couples to realize their desires associated with reproduction and/or to build a family.

Fertility Drugs Fertility drugs can be used in the treatment of some patients who have been trying to get pregnant but have been unable to do so naturally.

Fertility Preservation Preserving your fertility involves freezing your eggs, sperm, embryos, or reproductive tissue so that you can hopefully have a biological family in the future.

Fertility Status Understanding how fertile a woman or man is using tests to establish the ovarian reserve in women and semen quality in men.

Fetal Heartbeat Fetus with a discernible heartbeat.

Fibroids Non-cancerous growths that develop in or around the womb. You can have one fibroid or many, and they can be of different sizes. Fibroids are sometimes known as uterine myomas or leiomyomas.

Follicle A fluid-filled sac in the ovary in which an egg grows and develops.

Follicle Tracking A series of ultrasound scans to follow the development of a follicle to see if an egg is developing.

Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH) The pituitary hormone responsible for stimulating the growth of the follicle that surrounds the egg. In addition, it is one of the hormones in injectable fertility medications that promote the growth of follicles during fertility treatment. In males, it can also stimulate sperm production.

Freeze All Cycle An ART cycle in which, after oocyte aspiration, all oocytes and/or embryos are cryopreserved and no oocytes and/or embryos are transferred to a woman in that cycle.

Frozen Embryo Transfer (FET) An ART procedure in which cycle monitoring is carried out with the intention of transferring to a woman, frozen/thawed or vitrified/warmed embryo(s)/blastocyst(s).

Frozen Thawed Oocyte Cycle An ART procedure in which cycle monitoring is carried out with the intention of fertilizing thawed/warmed oocytes and performing an embryo transfer.

Full Blood Count A full blood count (FBC) is a test that counts the cells that make up your blood: red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets.

Full Term Birth A birth that takes place between 37 and 42 completed weeks of gestational age.

Gametes Male sperm and female eggs.

Genetic Testing If there’s a chance that you or your partner could carry a genetic condition. This is a type of test that looks at your genes to see whether you carry a particular condition, and how likely you are to pass it on to your baby. If you’re concerned about your family medical history, speak to your doctor about genetic testing.

Gonadotrophins Gonadotrophins are injectable hormones that are used to help stimulate the ovaries to produce eggs before cycles of IVF treatment or to treat PCOS when Clomid hasn’t worked. They are also used to stimulate the release of testosterone which supports sperm production in the testicles.

Growth Hormone A hormone that can be given by injection during an IVF cycle to potentially improve egg and embryo quality.

Hepatitis B Hepatitis B is a virus that can cause inflammation (swelling and tenderness) of the liver. It can take a long time for the symptoms to show. The virus can be spread during unprotected sexual intercourse with an infected person and by sharing needles to inject illegal drugs. Infected mothers can transmit the virus to their baby during childbirth.

Hepatitis C Hepatitis C is also a virus that can cause serious damage to the liver. It can take a long time for the symptoms to show. The virus is mainly spread through contact with the blood of an infected person. Rarely, the disease is passed through other body fluids, for example, during unprotected sexual intercourse with an infected person or from an infected mother to her baby before or during childbirth.

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) HIV attacks your immune system, eventually stopping it altogether, at which point it becomes difficult to combat serious life-threatening infections. The virus can be spread during unprotected sexual intercourse (including oral and anal sex) with an infected person and by sharing needles to inject illegal drugs. Infected mothers can transmit the virus to their baby before or during childbirth.

Home Insemination Home insemination is when you impregnate yourself at home with donor sperm.

Hormones Hormones are naturally occurring chemicals produced by the endocrine glands in the body that circulate in the bloodstream to give an effect on a distant organ or organs. For example, estrogen produced by the ovaries and testosterone produced by the testes.

Human Chorionic Gonadotropic (hCG) Human Chorionic Gonadotrophin is an injectable hormone that helps the eggs to go through the final stage of maturation, so they are ready for collection. You’ll receive an hCG injection to ‘trigger’ the final stage just before your egg retrieval procedure.

Human Menopausal Gonadotropin (hMG) An ovulation drug that contains follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) derived from the urine of postmenopausal women. hMG is used to stimulate the growth of multiple follicles.

HyCoSy A small amount of dye is injected into the uterus, and an ultrasound scan is used to see if the dye has passed through the fallopian tubes, showing the tubes are not blocked.

Hydrosalpinx A blocked, dilated, fluid-filled Fallopian tube.

Hyperspermia High volume of ejaculate above the upper reference limit. When reporting results, the reference criteria should be specified.

Hypospermia Low volume of ejaculate below the lower reference limit. When reporting results, the reference criteria should be specified.

Hysterosalpingogram (HSG) An x-ray to check your fallopian tubes.

Hysteroscopy A procedure in which the uterine cavity is visualized by a surgeon. Can help in the diagnosis of uterine lesions such as polyps, fibroids, uterine septum, adhesions, which can be removed during the procedure.

Immature Oocyte An oocyte at prophase of meiosis I, (i.e. an oocyte at the germinal vesicle (GV)-stage.)

Implantation The attachment and subsequent penetration by a zona-free blastocyst into the endometrium. This process starts 5 to 7 days after fertilization of the oocyte, usually resulting in the formation of a gestation sac. In cases of ectopic pregnancy, it’s when the blastocyst penetrates tissue outside the uterine cavity.

Implantation Rate The number of gestational sacs observed divided by the number of embryos transferred (usually expressed as a percentage, %).

In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) A procedure that involves removing eggs from a woman’s ovaries and fertilizing them in the laboratory outside the body. The resulting embryos are then replaced back into the woman’s womb through the cervix.

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

Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI) ICSI can be performed as a part of some IVF cycles. In a standard IVF cycle, sperm are mixed with the egg to fertilize it. During an ICSI cycle, instead of mixing them together, a skilled embryologist will inject a single sperm into the egg to fertilize it.

Intrauterine Insemination (IUI) IUI, also known as artificial insemination, involves sperm being placed directly into the womb. Sperm are sorted, and better quality sperm are separated from sperm that are sluggish, non-moving, or abnormally shaped, and only the better quality sperm are used for IUI.

Intrauterine Pregnancy A state of reproduction in which an embryo has implanted in the uterus.

Invasive A medical procedure that invades (enters) the body, usually by cutting or puncturing the skin or by inserting instruments into the body.

Laparoscopic Ovarian Drilling A surgical method for inducing ovulation in females with anovulatory or oligo-ovulatory polycystic ovarian syndrome, utilizing either laser or electrosurgery.

Laparoscopy Also known as keyhole surgery is a surgical procedure in which a telescope-like device is inserted through a small incision near the navel to view the pelvic cavity, the ovaries, fallopian tubes, and uterus.

Iatrogenic Testicular Failure Damage to testicular function after radiation, chemotherapy, or hormone treatment, or devascularization as a consequence of hernia surgery.

Live Birth Rate The number of deliveries that resulted in at least one live birth, expressed per 100 cycle attempts. In the case of ART interventions, they can be initiated cycles, insemination, aspiration cycles, or embryo transfer cycles.

Luteal Phase Defect A poorly defined abnormality of the endometrium presumably due to abnormally low progesterone secretion or action on the endometrium.

Luteal Phase Support Hormonal supplementation in the luteal phase, usually progesterone.

Luteinizing Hormone (LH) A gonadotrophic hormone that causes the ovary to release a mature egg (ovulation). In the male, LH stimulates testosterone production. In the female, LH stimulates progesterone production after ovulation has occurred.

Male Infertility Infertility caused primarily by male factors encompassing: abnormal semen parameters or function; anatomical, endocrine, genetic, functional or immunological abnormalities of the reproductive system; chronic illness; and sexual conditions incompatible with the ability to deposit semen in the vagina.

Mature Oocyte (Egg) An oocyte at metaphase of meiosis II, exhibiting the first polar body and with the ability to become fertilized.

Maturing Oocyte (Egg) An oocyte that has progressed from prophase I but has not completed telophase I, thus does not exhibit the first polar body.

Menopause Menopause is when your periods stop due to lower hormone levels. This usually happens between the ages of 45 and 55.

Menstrual Cycle The series of changes in hormone levels and structures in the female reproductive system that trigger ovulation and that make pregnancy possible. The length of the menstrual cycle varies, but the average is to have periods every 28 days. Regular cycles that are longer or shorter than this, from 21 to 40 days, are normal.

Menstruation Also known as ‘period’ is the part of the menstrual cycle when a woman bleeds from her vagina for a few days.

Metformin Metformin is a drug that can be used by patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) who aren’t ovulating properly because of abnormal insulin levels in the body.

Miscarriage Spontaneous loss of a clinical pregnancy before 22 completed weeks of gestational age.

Mitochondria Mitochondria are present in almost all human cells, including eggs. They create most of a cell’s energy supply which powers every part of our body. For any cell to function, the mitochondrial genes need to work properly. Mitochondria with gene abnormalities can cause severe medical disorders known as mitochondrial disease.

Modified Natural Cycle An ART procedure in which one or more oocytes are collected from the ovaries during a spontaneous menstrual cycle. Pharmacological compounds are administered with the sole purpose of blocking the spontaneous LH surge and/or inducing final oocyte maturation.

Morula An embryo formed after completion of compaction, typically 4 days after insemination or ICSI.

Motility The ability for an organism to independently move. Usually used to describe sperm, which move (swim) on their own.

Multiple Birth The birth of more than one baby from a single pregnancy.

Natural Cycle ART An ART procedure in which one or more oocytes are collected from the ovaries during a menstrual cycle without the use of any pharmacological compound.

Necrozoospemia A condition in which the semen only contains dead sperm.

Non-Motile Sperm Non-motile sperm are sperm cells that are unable to move.

Non-Obstructive Azoospermia Absence of spermatozoa in the ejaculate due to lack of production of mature spermatozoa.

Obstructive Azoospermia Absence of spermatozoa in the ejaculate due to occlusion of the ductal system.

Oligospermia A term for low semen volume now replaced by hypospermia to avoid confusion with oligozoospermia.

Oligozoospermia Low concentration of spermatozoa in the ejaculate below the lower reference limit. When reporting results, the reference criteria should be specified.

Oocyte (Egg) The female gamete (egg). Also called ovum (singular) or ova (plural).

Oocyte (Egg) Aspiration Ovarian follicular aspiration performed with the aim of retrieving oocytes.

Oocyte (Egg) Bank Repository of cryopreserved oocytes stored for future use.

Oocyte (Egg) Cryopreservation The freezing or vitrification of oocytes for future use.

Oocyte (Egg) Donation The use of oocytes from an egg donor for reproductive purposes or research.

Oocyte (Egg) Donation Cycle An ART cycle in which oocytes are collected from an egg donor for reproductive purposes or research.

Oocyte (Egg) Recipient Cycle An ART cycle in which a woman receives oocytes from a donor, or her partner if in a same-sex relationship, to be used for reproductive purposes.

Oocyte (Egg) Retrieval The procedure in which eggs or oocytes are obtained by inserting a needle into the ovarian follicles and removing the fluid and the eggs by suction, typically under sedation (anesthesia). Also called oocyte aspiration.

Ovulation Induction The administration of hormone medications (ovulation drugs) that stimulate the ovaries to produce multiple eggs. Sometimes called enhanced follicular recruitment or controlled ovarian hyperstimulation.

Ovarian Cysts Ovarian cysts are sacs, usually filled with fluid, in an ovary or on its surface.

Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome (OHSS) OHSS is a reaction to fertility drugs taken to increase egg production. OHSS occurs in women who are very sensitive to the fertility medication, resulting in too many eggs developing in the ovaries, which become very large and painful.

Ovarian Reserve A term generally used to indicate the number and/or quality of oocytes, reflecting the ability to reproduce.

Ovarian Stimulation Pharmacological treatment with the intention of inducing the development of ovarian follicles. It can be used for two purposes: 1) for timed intercourse or insemination; 2) in ART, to obtain multiple oocytes at follicular aspiration.

Ovary (Ovaries) The female reproductive organs that produce eggs and estrogen on a monthly basis under hormonal influence from the pituitary gland.

Ovulation The release of the egg (ovum) from the ovarian follicle.

Ovulation Induction (OI) Pharmacological treatment of women with anovulation or oligo-ovulation with the intention of inducing normal ovulatory cycles.

Pap Smear A test carried out on a sample of cells from the cervix to check for abnormalities that may be indicative of cervical cancer.

Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) An infection involving the pelvic organs e.g. ovaries and fallopian tubes.

Penis The penis is the male sexual organ. It contains a tube called the urethra, which carries semen from the testicles and urine from the bladder to the outside of the body.

Perinatal Death/Mortality Fetal or neonatal death occurring during late pregnancy (at 22 completed weeks of gestational age and later), during childbirth, or up to seven completed days after birth.

Pituitary Gland A small gland just beneath the hypothalamus in the brain that secretes follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH), as well as prolactin.

Polar Bodies The small bodies containing chromosomes segregated from the oocyte by asymmetric division during telophase.

Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) A triad of long cycles, signs of high male hormones and polycystic appearing ovaries on ultrasound. Often also associated with infertility and sugar intolerance.

Polycystic Ovary An ovary with at least 12 follicles measuring 2–9 mm in diameter in at least one ovary.

Polyps A typically benign growth of endometrium within the uterine cavity.

Poor Ovarian Response A condition in which fewer than four follicles and/or oocytes are developed/obtained following ovarian stimulation.

Pregnancy A state of reproduction beginning with implantation of an embryo in a woman and ending with the complete expulsion and/or extraction of all products of implantation.

Pregnancy Loss The outcome of any pregnancy that does not result in at least one live birth.

Pregnancy Test A blood test to detect and measure the hormone hCG, the “pregnancy hormone.”

Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis (PGD) A test performed by an embryologist in which one or two cells are removed from an embryo and screened for specific genetic abnormalities.

Preimplantation Genetic Testing for Aneuploidy (PGT-A) Testing embryos for chromosome problems.

Premature Ejaculation A condition in which semen is released sooner than desired.

Premature Ovarian Failure Loss of ovarian function below the age of 40.

Primary Female Infertility A woman who has never been diagnosed with a clinical pregnancy and meets the criteria of being classified as having infertility.

Primary Male Infertility A man who has never initiated a clinical pregnancy and meets the criteria of being classified as infertile.

Progesterone A female hormone secreted during the second half of the menstrual cycle, often taken after IVF or FET.

Prolactin A hormone responsible for lactation, certain breast tissue development, and milk production.

Recipient (ART) A person or couple who receives donated eggs, sperm, or embryos for the purposes of initiating a pregnancy with the intention of becoming a legally recognized parent.

Reproductive Surgery Surgical procedures performed to diagnose, conserve, correct, and/or improve reproductive function in either men or women.

Retrograde Ejaculation At male orgasm, the seminal fluid containing the sperm goes backward into the bladder.

Rubella (German Measles) An illness caused by the virus RuV, highly contagious and preventable by vaccination.

Salpingectomy The surgical removal of an entire fallopian tube.

Secondary Infertility When a patient who has already had a child has difficulty conceiving another.

Semen The fluid that comes from a penis during ejaculation that contains sperm.

Semen Analysis A description of the ejaculate to assess function of the male reproductive tract. Characteristic parameters include volume, pH, concentration, motility, vitality, morphology of spermatozoa and presence of other cells.

Semen Viscosity The description of the relative fluidity of seminal plasma.

Semen Volume The amount of fluid in an ejaculate.

Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) Sexually transmitted infections such as Chlamydia also known as STIs (Sexually transmitted infections).

Sperm The male reproductive cells that fertilize a woman’s egg.

Sperm Bank Repository of cryopreserved sperm stored for future use.

Sperm Concentration The measure of the number of spermatozoa in millions per 1 ml of semen.

Sperm Density A measure of the mass/volume ratio (specific gravity) for spermatozoa.

Sperm Donation A donation of sperm with the intention for the sperm to be used in fertility treatments.

Sperm Freezing The process of freezing sperm for use in their own future treatment or to donate to someone else’s treatment.

Sperm Motility The percentage of moving spermatozoa relative to the total number of spermatozoa.

Sperm Preparation (Washing) A process where sperm cells are separated from the rest of the semen fluid.

Sperm Vitality The percentage of live spermatozoa relative to the total number of spermatozoa.

Spermatozoon The mature male reproductive cell produced in the testis that has the capacity to fertilize an oocyte.

Spontaneous Miscarriage The spontaneous loss of an intra-uterine pregnancy prior to 22 completed weeks of gestational age.

Sterility A permanent state of infertility.

Subfertility A term that should be used interchangeably with infertility.

Surrogacy The process of a patient carrying a baby on behalf of another person or family.

Teratozoospermia A reduced percentage of morphologically normal sperm in the ejaculate below the lower reference limits.

Testicles The testicles, testes or ‘balls’ are the two, oval male organs which hang below the penis. Sperm and testosterone are produced in the testicles which are the main organs in the male reproductive system.

Testicular Sperm Extraction (TESE) A surgical procedure involving one or more testicular biopsies or needle aspirations to obtain living sperm for use in IVF and/or ICSI.

Testicular Tissue Freezing A specialist technique to preserve fertility in people who do not produce viable sperm in their ejaculate.

Testosterone The male sex hormone produced in the testicles.

Thawing The process of raising the temperature of slow-frozen cell(s) from the storage temperature to room/physiological temperature.

Transvaginal Ultrasound A scan where the probe is placed inside the vagina.

Transvaginal Ultrasound Aspiration An ultrasound-guided technique for egg retrieval whereby a long, thin needle is passed through the vagina into the ovarian follicle and suction is applied to accomplish retrieval.

Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone (TSH) A blood test that measures thyroid-stimulating hormone, which impacts your body’s metabolism.

Thyroxine (T4) A blood test to diagnose thyroid conditions.

Tubal Pathology Tubal abnormality resulting in dysfunction of the Fallopian tube.

Tubal Ligation Surgical procedure to prevent pregnancy.

Tubal Reanastomosis Procedure to reverse previous fallopian tube ligation to restore fertility in women.

Ultrasound Scan A method of scanning using high frequency sound waves to produce images of internal organs.

Unexplained Infertility Inability to identify the cause of infertility despite a complete evaluation.

Uterine Fibroids Growth made up of muscle and connective tissue in the uterus.

Uterus (Womb) The hollow, muscular female reproductive organ in the pelvis where an embryo implants and grows during pregnancy.

Vagina The canal leading from the vulva to the cervix.

Vaginal Insemination A procedure whereby semen, collected from a non-lubricated condom or similar method, is deposited into the vaginal cavity of a female. An intervention that can be self-administered by a woman attempting pregnancy.

Varicocele A venous enlargement in the testicular pampiniform plexus.

Vas Deferens The two muscular tubes that carry sperm from the epididymis to the urethra.

Vasectomy This is a surgical method of sterilisation for men. The tubes carrying the sperm to the penis are cut and sealed to prevent sperm from entering the semen.

Vitrification A fast-freezing technique which allows eggs, sperm or embryos to be frozen and stored until a patient is ready to use them.

Vulva The area surrounding the opening of the vagina. It includes the inner and outer vaginal lips (the labia) and the clitoris.

Womb (Uterus) The womb or uterus is the female reproductive organ in which the embryo develops. At one end, the cervix opens into the vagina, at the other, the fallopian tubes link to the ovaries.

X-chromosome The X chromosome is one of the two sex-determining chromosomes and is found in both males and females.

Y-chromosome The Y chromosome is one of two sex chromosomes. The Y chromosome is normally the sex-determining chromosome in many species, since it is the presence or absence of Y that determines the male or female sex.

Zone Pellucida The shell surrounding the egg/embryo.

Zygote A fertilised egg.