- Cul-de-sac
Pouch located at the bottom of the abdominal cavity between the uterus and rectum.
- Culdoscopy
Examination of the internal female pelvic organs through an incision in the vagina.
- CVS
Taking a biopsy of the placenta, usually at the end of the second month of pregnancy, to test the fetus for genetic abnormalities.
- Cycle
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Refers to the period in between the beginning and the completion of one infertility treatment.
- Cyst
A sac filled with fluid.
- Cystic fibrosis
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Inherited disorder of the exocrine glands, affecting children and young people. It is caused by a genetic abnormality in the CF transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene that results in the disruption of chloride transfer across cell membranes and affecting mainly the pancreas, respiratory system, and sweat glands.
- Cytomegaloviru
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Cytomegalovirus (CMV) - A member of the herpes virus family. Active infection produces enlarged cells enclosing foreign matter. It is transmitted by sexual contact or infected body fluids. It can also be transmitted from mother to foetus. It rarely causes serious illness in healthy adults; however, it can lead to serious consequences, including blindness, in those with depressed immune systems. In newborns, even without spleen and liver enlargement (10% of cases), CMV is the most common infection and a major cause of congenital deafness; it may also induce retardation and blindness.
- Danazol
A synthetic androgen frequently prescribed for endometriosis.
- Danocrine
A synthetic androgen frequently prescribed for endometriosis.
- Deoxyribonucleic acid
The combination of amino acids in the cell's nucleus that make up the chromosomes, which transmit hereditary characteristics.
- Dilatation and curettage
An operation that involves stretching the cervical opening to scrape out the uterus.
- DNA
The combination of amino acids in the cell's nucleus that make up the chromosomes, which transmit hereditary characteristics.
- Donor insemination
Artificial insemination with donor sperm.
- Dysfunction
Abnormal function.
- Ectopic pregnancy
Pregnancy located outside of the uterus, most commonly in a fallopian tube.
- Egg
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A female reproductive cell, also called an oocyte or ovum.
- Egg donation
Donation of an egg by one woman to another who attempts to become pregnant by in vitro fertilization.
- Egg retrieval
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Using a needle to puncture the wall of the vagina while a patient is under sedation, the physician enters the ovaries to retrieve the ripened eggs.
- Ejaculate
The sperm-containing fluid released at orgasm.
- Ejaculation
A two-part spinal reflex that involves emission, when the semen moves into the urethra, and ejaculation proper, when it is propelled out of the urethra at the time of orgasm.
- Ejaculatory ducts
The male ducts that contract with orgasm to cause ejaculation.
- Embryo
Term used to describe the stages of growth from the second to the ninth week following conception. During this period cell differentiation proceeds rapidly and the brain, eyes, heart, upper and lower limbs, and other organs are formed.
- Embryo donation
The transfer from one woman to another of an embryo obtained by artificial insemination and lavage or, more commonly, by IVF.
- Embryo Freezing
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Cryopreservation (Embryo Freezing) - A freezing procedure used to preserve and store embryos or sperm for transfer at a later date.
- Embryo transfer
The transfer of an in vitro fertilized egg from its laboratory dish into the uterus of a woman.
