|
Glossary of Terms
Please choose from the following.
Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART): all fertility treatments in which either eggs or sperm, or both, are manipulated in the laboratory, including intra-uterine insemination (IUI), and in-vitro fertilization (IVF).
top...
Azoospermia: absence of sperm in the ejaculate.
top...
Congenital Bilateral Absence of the Vas Deferens (CBAVD): birth abnormality resulting in the absence of vas deferens (sperm transport tubes) from both testicles.
top...
Ejaculate: thick, whitish fluid that is expelled from a man’s penis during sexual climax (orgasm).
top...
Epididymis: gland behind the testicles that collects and stores sperm, located between the testis and the vas deferens.
top...
Epididymovasostomy (EV or VE): connection of the vas deferens (sperm duct) to the epididymis, in order to correct an obstruction.
top...
Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH): hormone in the male that assists sperm formation.
top...
ICSI (Intra Cytoplasmic Sperm Injection): injection of a single sperm directly into the cytoplasm of a mature egg using a glass needle, as an adjunct to in-vitro fertilization.
top...
Infertility: diminished capacity to produce offspring.
top...
Intra-uterine Insemination (IUI): insertion of concentrated (washed) sperm sample into uterus via a thin plastic tube placed through the cervix (also called artificial insemination).
top...
In-vitro Fertilization (IVF): process for women to produce multiple eggs, extracted by trans-vaginal procedure and fertilized by sperm in the laboratory.
top...
Luteinizing Hormone (LH): in males, hormone that stimulates cells that secrete testosterone to increase testosterone levels.
top...
Morphology: measure of the percentage of sperm that have a normal shape.
top...
Motility: measure of sperm cell movement.
top...
Oligospermia: low number of sperm in the ejaculate versus normal sperm density (count).
top...
Post-Ejaculate Urine (PEU): post-ejaculation urine analysis to detect the presence of sperm in the urine as a result of retrograde ejaculation (see below).
top...
Post Vasectomy Semen Analysis (PVSA): laboratory study of semen done, at least, 3 months post vasectomy to determine sterility (2 negative results are required to confirm patient is sterile).
top...
Prolactin (PRL): hormone produced in the brain that can decrease testosterone level in males.
top...
Retrograde Ejaculation: backward flow of semen into the urinary bladder during sexual climax (orgasm) due to failure of bladder neck and prostate to propel the semen forward. Semen clears from bladder at next urination.
top...
Scrotum: also referred to as scrotal sac, hangs below penis and contains testicles.
top...
Semen: fluid that carries the sperm through the penis during ejaculation (also known as seminal fluid or ejaculate fluid)
top...
Semen Analysis: laboratory study of semen to determine the concentration, motility and shape of sperm.
top...
Sperm Antibodies: immune system proteins that normally fight infection, that are created against sperm, for unknown reasons, in some cases of infertility.
top...
Sperm Antibody Test (SAT): test performed to determine whether or not antisperm antibodies are present in blood (serum), semen, or cervical mucous.
top...
Sperm Penetration Assay (SPA): a test to evaluate the egg-penetrating capacity of sperm. This test provides information that complements “strict” morphology.
top...
Sperm Processing (Washing) for IUI: removal of seminal plasma, dead sperm and blood cells from the ejaculated semen and concentration of the best moving sperm into a smaller volume for intrauterine insemination (IUI) of the female partner.
top...
Spermatozoa: another name for sperm, the male reproduction cells that combine with the egg during fertilization.
top...
Spermatic Veins: main venous drainage pathway from the testicles.
top...
Testosterone: the major male sex hormone produced by the testicles, which stimulates growth of male sex organs, secondary sexual traits and normal sexual desire.
top...
Varicocele: varicose veins surrounding the testicle(s), caused by absence or malfunction of the valves within the spermatic veins. Most common and potentially correctable form of male infertility.
top...
Vas Deferens: sperm duct leading from the epididymis behind the testicle, through the groin and pelvis, terminating at the level of the prostate.
top...
Vasectomy: a minor procedure usually performed in the doctor’s office under local anesthetic and involves cutting the vas deferens through a small puncture in scrotum to effect sterility.
top...
Vasovasostomy: surgical reconnection of vas deferens (sperm duct) to return fertility after a vasectomy.
top... |
