Fertility Dictionary
FERTILITY TERMINOLOGY DICTIONARY
Amenorrhea
Absence of menstruation.
Semen Analysis
Research of the semen through fresh ejaculation under the microscope to count the number of millions of sperm per milliliter or cubic centimeter, to examine the shape and size of the sperm, and to observe their ability to move (motility).
Anovulation
Total absence of ovulation. Note: This is not necessarily the same as amenorrhea. Menstruation can occur if there is anovulation.
Azoospermia
Complete absence of sperm in the ejaculation.
Blastocyst
It is an embryo that has arrived at the fifth day of its development and has acquired all the capacities to implant itself to the uterus.
Chorionic Gonadotropin Hormone
This is the pregnancy hormone produced by the placenta after implantation of the blastocyst and is responsible for stimulating the corpus luteum of the ovary to produce progesterone during the first three months of pregnancy.
Conception
Implantation of an ovum fertilized by a spermatozoon (embryo in the woman’s uterus).
Corpus luteum
Structure that is formed after follicle rupture and ovulation (ovulation), responsible for the production of progesterone.
Ovulation Dysfunction
A problem existing in the ovary either from the liberation of the ovum or the development of it.
Embryo
Term used to describe the early stages of growth of a fertilized ovum, from conception to eight weeks of pregnancy.
Endometrium
Inner lining of uterus.
Endometriosis
Female disease that produces infertility due to the presence of endometrial tissue outside the uterus.
Estrogens
Type of female hormones, produced mainly by the ovaries from the onset of puberty to menopause, which are responsible for the development of secondary sexual characteristics, such as breasts.
Follicular Phase
First half of the menstrual cycle when the development of the ovarian follicle takes place and the ovum matures.
Fertilization
Penetration of the ovum by the spermatozoon and the union of genetic materials to achieve the development of an embryo.
Follicle
Structure in the ovary that nourishes the developing egg and from which the egg is released.
Folicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH)
Hormone produced in the anterior part of the pituitary gland that stimulates the ovary in women to develop a follicle and prepare it for ovulation. In men, FSH stimulates the production of spermatozoa in the testicles.
Gamete
Male and female reproductive cells, spermatozoon or ovum respectively.
Gonads
Glands that produce gametes (the testicles in the man and the ovaries in the woman.
Implantation
Adhesion of the fertilized egg to the lining of the uterus (endometrium).
Luteinic Phase
Phase of the menstrual cycle starting after ovulation and ending in menstruation, during which progesterone is produced which is the hormone responsible for preparing the endometrium for the implantation of the embryo.
Luteinizing hormone
(LH) A hormone produced in the anterior part of the pituitary gland responsible for producing the final maturation of the oocyte and its expulsion by means of follicle rupture. It also stimulates the corpus luteum of the ovary to produce progesterone.
Myomatósis
Presence of benign tumors of the uterus (fibroids) that can alter its structure and sometimes cause infertility or pregnancy loss.
Oligospermia
Insufficient number of spermatozoon in ejaculations.
Oocyte
Ovum.
Ovaries
Female sex glands that produce hormones, estrogen and progesterone, and in which the eggs develop. There are two ovaries, one on each side of the pelvis.
Ovulation
Expulsion of a mature ovum in the middle of the menstrual cycle.
Primary Infertility
Couple who has never achieved a pregnancy.
Progesterone
Hormone secreted by the corpus luteum or ovary after ovulation has occurred. It is responsible for preparing the uterus for pregnancy. It also maintains the placenta during the early stages of pregnancy to prevent abortion.
Secondary Infertility
Inability to conceive or achieve a pregnancy after having conceived and achieved one or more pregnancies.
Subfertility
Decreased fertile ability of the couple.
Spermatozoon
Male reproductive cells have important characteristics such as:
- Count (or density): Refers to the number of sperm present.
- Motility: refers to the percentage of sperm that demonstrates some type of forward movement.
- Morphology: Refers to the shape or appearance of the sperm.
- Viability: Refers to whether the sperm is alive.
Spermatogenesis
Spermatozoid production process within the seminiferous tubules of the testis.
Sterility
Absolute and irreversible inability to achieve pregnancy.
Testosterone
The male sex hormone produced in the testicles.
Unexplained Infertility
Term used when the reason of infertility is not found in the initial baseline study.
Uterus
Hollow muscular organ in which the woman supports and feeds the fetus until the moment of birth.
Vagina
Structure of the woman extending from the vulva to the cervix.
Varicocele
Dilation of the veins of the testicles that can affect the quantity or quality of spermatozoa.
Viscosity
Consistency of semen.
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