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Glossary of Terms Commonly Used in IVF

Adhesion
Scar tissue from infection, endometriosis, surgery or bleeding which can distort or cause dysfunction of organs.

Amniocentesis
The removal of a small amount of fluid from the fetal sac to check for fetal abnormalities at 15-16 weeks gestation. This is performed using a small needle under local anaesthetic and ultrasound guidance.

Aspiration
Gentle suction used to remove an egg from a follicle.

Biochemical pregnancy
Elevated hormone levels indicate a pregnancy, but implantation and continuing development of the embryo does not occur.

Blighted ovum
A fertilised egg which does not continue to grow after implantation occurs.

Cervix
A ring of muscle at the base of the uterus, extending into the vagina.

Chronic villus biopsy
The removal of a small amount of tissue from the placenta (the structure which joins the mother to the fetus) to check for fetal abnormalities.

Clomiphene citrate (Clomid)
One of the drugs used to stimulate development of multiple follicles.

Cryopreservation
Preservation by freezing and storage of sperm and embryos.

Ectopic pregnancy
Implantation of the embryo other than in the uterus (usually in the fallopian tube).

Egg
The female cell developed in the ovary which forms an embryo when fertilised by a sperm; also called ovum (plural ova) or oocyte.

Embryo
The fertilised egg which has begun cell division.

Embryo transfer
Placing the embryo, developed in vitro, into the uterus using a catheter threaded through the cervix.

Endometriosis
A condition where endometrial tissue is located outside the uterus in the pelvic or abdominal cavity.

Endometrium
The lining of the uterine wall in which the embryo implants.

Fallopian tubes
The narrow tubes extending from the top of the uterus towards the ovaries.

Fertilisation
Penetration of the egg cell by the sperm cell, which results in cell division.

Fimbria
Finger-like structures at the outer end of the Fallopian tube, which guide the egg, released by the ovary, into the tube.

Flushing
Refilling a follicle with a special fluid to ensure aspiration of the egg.

Follicles
Small bubble-like cysts on the ovary in which the egg cells grow until released and which produce oestrogen.

Follicular phase
The first segment of the menstrual cycle from the start of the period to ovulation.

FSH – Follicle Stimulating Hormone
A hormone produced by the pituitary gland, which controls growth of the ovarian follicle and maturation of egg cells in a woman and sperm production in a man.

Gamete
A reproductive cell (sperm and eggs). GIFT (Gamete Intra Fallopian Transfer) Sperm and eggs are deposited into the fallopian tubes, either through a catheter placed into the cervix or via a laparoscope into the abdominal cavity.

HCG (Human Chorionic Gonadotrophin)
A hormone produced by developing embryo and later by the placenta. It is also administered during IVF, GIFT, TEST, PROST, IUI and Ovulation Induction to induce ovulation at a precise time.

HMG (Human Menopausalgonadotrophin)
One of the drugs used to stimulate development of multiple follicles.

Hyperstimulation
An exaggerated response of the ovaries to the drugs given, resulting in bloating of the lower abdomen, pain discomfort and enlarged ovaries and associated discomfort.

Implantation
The embedding of a fertilised egg in the endometrium of the uterus.

Infertility
The inability to become pregnant after 12 months of unprotected intercourse.

IVF (in vitro fertilisation)
The combining of a selected sample of mature sperm with mature eggs in a petri dish or test tube for fertilisation.

Laparoscopy
A surgical procedure in which a laparoscope with an attached light is inserted into the abdomen, under a general anaesthetic in hospital, so the surgeon can inspect the internal organs through an eye-piece which are magnified and displayed on a video screen.

LH (Luteinising Hormone)
A hormone that is produced by the pituitary gland which controls the release of a mature egg from a follicle in the female, and male hormone production (testosterone) in men.

Lucrin (Leuprolide)
A drug which suppresses the production of FSH and LH in the pituitary gland (after initial stimulation) to allow for better-controlled ovarian response.

Luteal phase
A segment of the menstrual cycle, after ovulation but before menstruation.

Menstrual cycle
Recurring changes in a woman’s body, during which hormonal activity causes regular development of follicles and eggs, as well as changes in the lining of the uterus. Sloughing of uterine cells is manifested as bleeding from the vagina at the end of a cycle in which pregnancy has not occurred.

Motility
The ability of sperm to move with the capacity to fertilise an egg.

Ovaries
Small organs located in the pelvic cavity, on either side of the uterus, which produce eggs.

Ovulation
The release of a mature egg cell from the ovary.

Pituitary
A hormone producing gland located at the base of the brain.

Semen
The fluid discharged by the male on ejaculation, which contains sperm and other glandular secretions.

Testes
Male organs located in the scrotum, which produce sperm cells (into the semen) and the male hormone testosterone (into the bloodstream).

Uterus
A small pear shaped organ in which the embryo implants and the fetus grows until delivery.

Varicocoele
Dilatation of the cord which carries the sperm forming a soft, elastic, often uncomfortable swelling.

Vagina
A distensible tube shaped organ leading from the cervix, which can contain the penis during intercourse and allows sperm access to the uterus and fallopian tubes and through which a baby is born.

Zygote
Fertilised egg.