• Andrology – defines the study of male infertility and sexual dysfunctions. It is the male couterpart of womens gynacology and is a greek term which literally means the study of man.
  • Assisted Hatching – Full form for AH, is a procedure performed to weaken the wall of the embryo and improve the likelihood of successful hatching and embryo implantation.
  • Blastocyst Transfer – A blastocyst is an embryo at an advanced stage of physiologic development when there are two cell types present: one group of cells that form the placenta, and another group of cells that form the fetus.
  • CASA – Abbreviation for Computer Assisted Semen Analysis. A process to study semen samples.
  • DFI – Abbreviation for DNA Fragmentation Index, is a part of semen analysis lab procedure to determine its potency.
  • Egg Donation – A process where an egg of a third party is used to attain fertilization. Medication is used on the doner to stimulate multiple egg growth and these eggs are then used for in-vitro fertilization.
  • Gonadotropins – There are many types of gonadotropins used alone or in combination for ovulation induction. They include hMG (human menopausal gonadotropin, Pergonal (R), Repronex (R), or Humegon (R)), FSH (follicle stimulating hormone, Fertinex (R), Follistim (R), or Gonal-F(R)), and hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin, Profasi (R), or Pregnyl (R)).
  • ICSI – Stands for Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection, a lab procedure in the in-vitro fertilization process where a single sperm is injected into an egg.
  • IUI – Intrauterine insemination (IUI) is a fertility procedure in which sperm are washed, concentrated, and injected directly into a woman’s uterus. The process increases the number of sperm in the fallopian tubes to improve the possibility of fertilization.
  • IVF – Stands for In-vitro fertilization. One of the most common techniques for assisted reproduction techniques.
  • Laparoscopy – Laparoscopy is a surgical technique performed under general anesthesia to diagnose and treat abdominal or pelvic problems through a scope (laparoscope) through a small incision in the abdomen.
  • Miscarriage – A term used to describe the expulsion of a fetus before maturing. Causes to miscarriage can be various reasons.
  • Multiple Gestation – means a pregnancy in which two or more fetuses are present in the womb.
  • Ovulation Induction – Ovulation induction is a safe and effective means of restoring fertility in female patients who do not ovulate or who ovulate infrequently. Additionally, it is used to produce multiple follicular development to have more opportunity for possible fertilization in the embryology laboratory.
  • PGD – Stands for Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis. It is a technique that can be used during in vitro fertilization (IVF) procedures to test embryos for genetic disorders prior to their transfer to the uterus. PGD makes it possible for couples with serious inherited disorders to decrease the risk of having a child who is affected by the same problem.
  • ROS – Abbreviation for Reactive Oxygen Species which means molecules containing oxygen which are chemically reactive like oxygen ions and peroxide.
  • SCSA – Abbreviation for Sperm Chromatin Structure Assay. A test done to check for DNA fragmentation during semen analysis.
  • Sperm Retrieval – A process for men with no sperm at all in their ejaculate to retrieve it from their testicle or epididymis and inject it into their partner’s eggs via ICSI method.
  • Surrogacy – a process by which an embryo is implanted to a host by artifical insemination to carry until birth of the child.
  • Vitrification – Vitrification is a process where an egg or an embryo is cryopreserved (frozen)