| Abstinence | Days count after last ejaculation. |
| Aneuploid Embryo | An embryo with abnormal genetic make up. |
| Anti-Mullerian Hormone (AMH) | AMH is considered to be one of the most accurate tests to evaluate ovarian reserve. Elevated level of AMH is associated with increased numbers of mature eggs, embryos and ultimately a higher clinical pregnancy rate. |
| Anti Sperm Antibodies (ASA) | Antibodies that impair sperm function. |
| Antral Follicle Count (AFC) | The number of follicles measuring 2-10 mm in diameter as assessed by transvaginal ultrasound scan. The number of antral follicles indicates the number of eggs available and the likely response to hormonal stimulation medications. |
| Artificial Oocyte Activation | The purpose of artificial oocyte activation is to enhance the chances of fertilisation by artificially increasing the calcium levels in the oocyte (egg). |
| Assisted Hatching | A procedure to facilitate an embryo hatching from its protective shell by creating a small opening in its zona to help implantation in the uterus. |
| Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ART) | Medical methods used to assist in achieving pregnancy, including clinical and biological interventions. |
| Azoospermia | No sperm in the ejaculate. |
| Blastocyst | Day 5 embryo. |
| Cleavage | The first stage of embryo development after fertilisation. |
| Day 3 Embryos | Day 3 embryos (referring to embryo culture), usually 8 cells. |
| Degeneration | Unexpected death of embryo cells / gametes after ICSI or thawing. |
| Ectopic Pregnancy | A pregnancy where the embryo implants outside the uterus, frequently in the fallopian tubes but can also occur in the abdomen, ovary or cervix. |
| Egg Donation | The process of collecting eggs from one woman for use by another. |
| Egg Freezing | A method of fertility preservation involving retrieving eggs and freezing them for use at a later date to try to achieve a pregnancy. |
| Egg Retrieval | Eggs are retrieved using a thin ultrasound-guided needle during a short procedure under sedation. |
| Embryo Biopsy | Obtaining cells from an embryo for genetic testing. |
| EmbryoGlue | Special culture media to enhance implantation. |
| Embryo Transfer (ET) | The last step in the process of assisted reproduction in which embryos are placed into the uterus with the intent to establish a pregnancy. |
| Euploid Embryo | An embryo with normal DNA after genetic testing. |
| Family Balancing | The use of IVF for gender selection in order to choose the number of male or female offspring in a family. |
| Fertilisation | The process of sperm and eggs fusion to form a zygote. |
| Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH) | A hormone associated with reproduction, responsible for the production of eggs in women and sperm in men. |
| Frozen Embryo Transfer (FET) | Embryos frozen after a previous IVF or ICSI treatment cycle are thawed and replaced back into the patient's uterus. |
| Gamete / Embryo Freezing | A procedure that involves use of cryopreservation in order to maintain gametes and embryos in their original state while in storage for future use. |
| Gamete / Embryo Thawing | A procedure that involves thawing in order to recover previously frozen gametes/embryos. |
| Gene Therapy | A type of genetic engineering in which DNA is inserted, deleted, modified or replaced in the genome of an embryo. |
| Genetic Editing | A type of genetic engineering in which DNA is inserted, deleted, modified, or replaced in the genome of an egg or a sperm. |
| Gonadotropins | A type of fertility drug that stimulates ovulation and egg development. |
| Human Chorionic Gonadotrophin (hCG) | A hormone produced in early pregnancy. 'Trigger' injections of hCG are given in IVF treatment at the point when the ovarian follicles have reached the optimum diameter. |
| Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA) | A complex of genes on chromosome 6 in humans which encode cell-surface proteins responsible for regulating the immune system. |
| HyCoSy / HyFoSy | Ultrasound-based techniques for examining tubal patency. |
| Hysterosalpingogram (HSG) | An imaging procedure to check the inside of the uterus and the fallopian tube for any abnormalities or damage. |
| Hysteroscopy | A thin, lighted, flexible tube called a hysteroscope is inserted into the vagina to examine the cervix and inside of the uterus. Hysteroscopy can be a part of the diagnosis process or an operative procedure. |
| Intracytoplasmic Morphologically Selected Sperm (IMSI) | A powerful microscope is used to select which sperm to inject via ICSI. |
| Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI) | A single sperm is injected into each of the retrieved eggs using a precision needle. |
| Intrauterine Insemination (IUI) | A fertility treatment which involves inserting sperm directly into the patient's uterus. |
| In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF) | The process in which eggs are retrieved from a female patient and fertilised by sperm in a laboratory. |
| In Vitro Maturation (IVM) | A procedure in which eggs are collected and matured outside the body under special conditions, using special media in the IVF laboratory. |
| Karyotyping | A karyotype evaluates a person's chromosomes including their structure, number, and arrangement |
| Laser Assisted Hatching (LAH) | Before embryo transfer, a laser is used to create a small hole in the zona pellucida to assist the embryo to 'hatch' with the aim to improve the chances of implantation |
| Left Over Embryos (LOE) | Left over / extra embryos after embryo transfer for freezing or observation. |
| Live Birth Rate (LBR) | The percentage of IVF cycles which result in a live birth. |
| Luteinising Hormone (LH) | A hormone produced by the pituitary gland which is one of the main hormones controlling the reproductive system. |
| Maturation Arrest | The failure of embryos to continue development. |
| Mature Eggs | Eggs suitable for fertilisation. |
| Micro-Surgical Testicular Sperm Extraction (Micro-TESE) | A surgical procedure involving the use of a surgical microscope for extracting sperm directly from the testis. |
| Monosomies / Trisomies | Examples of genetic abnormalities after PGT referring to increased or decreased copies of DNA. |
| Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome (OHSS) | A complication of fertility treatment causing swelling of the ovaries. |
| Ovarian Tissue Cryopreservation | A technique used for ovarian tissue cryopreservation to keep the tissues and organs in low temperature for future use. |
| Ovulation Induction | The stimulation of ovulation by use of medication. |
| Ovum Pick Up (OPU) | Egg retrieval through follicular puncture under ultrasound guidance. |
| Percutaneous Epididymal Sperm Aspiration (PESA) | The surgical collection of sperm through a fine needle directly from the epididymis. |
| PGT-A | A pre-implantation genetic test for aneuploidies. |
| PGT-M | A pre-implantation genetic test for monogenic (single cell) disorders. |
| PGT-SR | A pre-implantation genetic test for inherited chromosomal structural rearrangements. |
| Polar Body Biopsy | An assisted reproductive technique which involves the removal of polar body from an egg to assess its chromosomal status. |
| Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) | A common endocrine disorder which can potentially affect female fertility. |
| Pooling | The collecting and freezing of eggs or embryos from multiple cycles of stimulation. |
| Pre-implantation Genetic Diagnosis (PGD) | The technique of testing cells from an embryo created through IVF to diagnose genetic disease. |
| Pre-implantation Genetic Testing (PGT) | The technique of testing cells from an embryo created through IVF for chromosomal abnormalities, not specific genetic diagnoses. |
| Receiving oocytes from the partner (ROPA) | A treatment for female same sex couples - one partner donates her eggs and the other carries the child, so that both partners are physically involved in the pregnancy. |
| Recurrent Pregnancy Loss (RPL) | Recurrent pregnancy loss is defined as having three or more miscarriages within the first trimester. |
| Repeated Implantation Failure (RIF) | The failure of good quality embryos to implant after multiple cycles of IVF. |
| Semen Analysis | The microscopic examination of the shape, number, and movement of sperm to assess male fertility. |
| Gender Selection | Choosing the sex of an embryo through IVF with pre-implantation genetic testing. |
| Sperm DNA Fragmentation | This refers to damage in the genetic material of the sperm affecting fertility. |
| Sperm Donation | The donation of sperm by a man for use in fertility treatment by a woman who is not his sexual partner. |
| Sperm Freezing | The cooling of spermatozoa cells under liquid nitrogen for future use. |
| Sperm Wash | Sperm preparation for IUI or IVF |
| Stem Cell Therapy | The use of stem cells for ovarian regeneration, egg generation and restoring endometrial lining in females and testicular regeneration and sperm regeneration in males. |
| Testicular Sperm Aspiration (TESA) | The surgical collection of sperm through a fine needle directly from the testis. |
| Testicular Sperm Extraction (TESE) | The surgical collection of sperm by making a small incision into the testis and examining the tubules for the presence of sperm. |
| Varicocele Repair | A varicocele is an enlargement of the veins within the scrotum. A repair is a surgical procedure to remove the varicocele and restore normal blood flow. |
| Vitrification | The rapid cooling of embryos / eggs. |
| Warming | The defrosting / thawing of frozen eggs or embryos for uterine transfer |
| Zygote | A fertilised egg cell resulting from the fusion of male and female gametes. |
