- Abortion
The premature termination of a pregnancy; may be induced or spontaneous (miscarriage).
- Acrosome
The packet of enzymes in a sperm's head that allows the sperm to dissolve a hole in the coating around the egg, which allows the sperm to penetrate and fertilize the egg.
- Acrosome reaction
A chemical change that enables a sperm to penetrate an egg.
- Adhesions
Rubbery bands of scar tissue (usually caused by previous infections or surgery) attached to organ surfaces, capable of connecting, covering, or distorting organs such as the fallopian tubes, ovaries, or bowel. Adhesions in the fallopian tubes and ovaries obstruct the movement of sperm and oocytes.
- Adrenal glands
The endocrine gland on top of each kidney.
- Aerobic bacteria
The bacterial organisms that require relatively high concentrations of oxygen to survive and reproduce.
- Agglutination of sperm
Occurs when sperm clump or stick together often due to infection, inflammation, or antibodies. This may occur when either man or woman develops immunity to the sperm; sometimes this is unexplained.
- AI
The introduction of sperm into a woman's vagina or uterus by noncoital methods, for the purpose of conception. The placement of large numbers of washed and concentrated motile sperm into the female reproductive tract, usually the uterus. (See also intracervical insemination, intrauterine insemination, intratubal insemination.
- AIDS
-
Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome
A number of symptoms and infections in humans resulting from the specific damage of the immune system caused by the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV).
- Amenorrhea
The absence of menstruation.
- Amniocentesis
The aspiration of amniotic fluid from the uterus, usually performed at three to three and one-half months of pregnancy, to test the fetus for genetic abnormalities.
- Anaerobic bacteria
Bacterial organisms that survive in relatively low oxygen concentrations.
- Androgens
Male sex hormones.
- Andrologist
A specialist who treats sperm problems.
- Aneuploidy
Numerical assessment of chromosome number. Aneuploidy is the most frequently observed type of cytogenetic abnormality.
- Anovulation
The absence of ovulation.
- Anti-sperm Antibody
Antibodies produced by the immune system that mistake sperm for an invading substance and begin attacking them. These antibodies cause sperm to clump together, lose motility or lose the ability to fertilize an egg. They may he produced by either the male or female partner.
- Antibody
A blood protein (immunoglobin) produced by white blood cells in response to the presence of a specific foreign substance (antigen) in the body, with which it fights or otherwise interacts. Antibodies to sperm, if present, can impair fertility by causing agglutination of sperm.
- Antigen
Any substance that induces the formation of an antibody.
- ART
-
Assisted Reproductive Technology
Treatments and procedures involving the handling of human eggs and sperm for the purpose of establishing a pregnancy. Types of ART include IVF, ICSI, assisted hatching, embryo transfer, gametes cryo preservation and donation etc…
- Artificial insemination
The introduction of sperm into a woman's vagina or uterus by noncoital methods, for the purpose of conception. The placement of large numbers of washed and concentrated motile sperm into the female reproductive tract, usually the uterus. (See also intracervical insemination, intrauterine insemination, intratubal insemination.
- Aspiration
Suctioning of fluid, as from a follicle.
- Assisted hatching
Reduce the thickness or open the zona pellucida of oocyte or embryos.
- Assisted Reproductive Technology
-
(ART) - Treatments and procedures involving the handling of human eggs and sperm for the purpose of establishing a pregnancy. Types of ART include IVF, ICSI, assisted hatching, embryo transfer, gametes cryo preservation and donation etc…
- Asthenospermia
Condition in which the sperm do not swim (move) at all or swim more slowly than normal.
