- Follicular phase
the pre-ovulatory phase of a woman's cycle during which the follicle grows and high estrogen levels cause the uterine lining to proliferate
- Fructose
Produced by the seminal vesicles, the sugar that sperm use for energy
- FSH
The pituitary hormone that stimulates follicle growth in women and sperm formation in men
- Gamete
A reproductive cell. In a man, the gametes are sperm; in a woman, they are eggs, or ova.
- Gamete Intra-Fallopian Tube Transfer
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Gamete Intra-Fallopian Tube Transfer (GIFT) - A procedure where a sperm - egg mixture is transferred by laparoscopy into the fallopian tubes where natural fertilization may occur.
- Gamete intrafallopian transfer
A technique of medically assisted conception in which mature oocytes are surgically removed from a woman's body and then reintroduced, together with sperm, through a catheter into the fallopian tubes, where it is hoped fertilization will take place.
- Gametes
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Reproductive cells carrying a haploid number of chromosomes. Human gametes, a mature sperm or egg, carry 23 chromosomes in their nucleus instead of 46 chromosomes that are found in the somatic cells. When fertilization occurs, the two nuclei of sperm and egg fuse, to produce a zygote carrying 46 chromosomes.
- Gardnerella
A bacteria that may cause a vaginal infection
- Gene
The unit of heredity, composed of DNA; the building block of chromosomes
- Gestation
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The period of foetal development in the uterus from conception to birth, usually considered to be 40 weeks in humans.
- Gestation sac
The fluid-filled sac in which the fetus develops, visible by an ultrasound exam
- Gestational carrier
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A woman, who is not the genetic parent, carries the pregnancy to term, and then gives the child to the responsible parents.
- GIFT
A technique of medically assisted conception in which mature oocytes are surgically removed from a woman's body and then reintroduced, together with sperm, through a catheter into the fallopian tubes, where it is hoped fertilization will take place
- Gland
An organ that produces and secretes essential body fluids or substances, such as hormones
- Glucocorticoids
Hormones naturally produced by the adrenal glands. Synthetic glucocorticoids are used to treat ovulatory dysfunction caused by adrenal disorders.
- GnRH
Gonadotropin releasing hormone,
The hormone released from the hypothalamus that causes secretion of gonadotropins from the pituitary gland.
- Gonadotropin
Hormone that stimulates the testes or ovaries. Examples are follicle-stimulating hormone, human chorionic gonadotropin, human menopausal gonadotropin, and luteinizing hormone. These can be administered in cases of ovulatory dysfunction to directly stimulate the ovary.
- Gonadotropin releasing hormone
The hormone released from the hypothalamus that causes secretion of gonadotropins from the pituitary gland.
- Gonads
Organs that produce the sex cells and sex hormones; testes in men and ovaries in women .
- Gonorrhea
An STD caused by the bacteria Nesseria gonorrhea. If the infection is not treated in women, it can spread to the uterus and the fallopian tubes, causing PID. In men, it can cause epididymitis and can affect semen quality.
A common sexually transmitted disease caused by the bacterium Neisseria gonorrhoeae. Local epithelial cell destruction usually occurs, but the organisms may spread to adjacent organs or disseminate via the bloodstream. In women, local complications include inflammation of the uterine lining (endometritis), inflammation of the fallopian tube (salpingitis), inflammation of the abdominal wall (peritonitis), and inflammation of Bartholin's glands (bartholinitis); in men, periurethral abscess and inflammation of a duct connected to the testes (epididymitis).
- Granuloma
A ball of inflamed tissue, commonly formed after vasectomy due to sperm leaking from the vas deferens
- Habitual abortion
Repeat miscarriages
- Hamster oocyte penetration test
A test that evaluates the ability of human sperm to penetrate an ovum by incubating sperm with hamster oocytes that have had their outer layer removed. Normal sperm will penetrate the eggs. The reliability and significance of this test are controversial.
Also called Hamster Zona-Free Ovum (HZFO) Test or Sperm Penetration Assay (SPA)
- hCG
Human chorionic gonadotropin
A hormone secreted by the embryo that maintains the corpus luteum to produce progesterone when pregnancy occurs. This hormone can be extracted from the urine of pregnant women and can be injected to stimulate ovulation and progesterone production.
- Hematospermia
Condition in which blood appears in the semen and can usually he seen by the naked eye.
