A

Assisted reproductive technologies (ART): All treatments which include the handling of eggs, sperm and/or embryos. Some examples of ART are in vitro fertilization (IVF), Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI).

B

Blastocyst Transfer: Transfer of embryos that are developed for 5 to 6 days, until they reach blastocyst stage.

C

Chemical Pregnancy: Occurs when a fertilized egg does not implant in the uterus.

Conception: Fertilization: when the sperm meets and penetrates the egg.

D

Decreased Ovarian Reserve: Decreased ovarian reserve is a decrease in the quantity or quality of oocytes, leading to impaired fertility. Ovarian reserve may begin to decrease at age 30 or even earlier and decreases rapidly after age 40. Ovarian lesions also decrease reserve. Although older age is a risk factor for decreased ovarian reserve, age and decreased ovarian reserve are each independent predictors of infertility and thus of a poorer response to fertility treatment.

Donor conceived people: Someone that has been conceived as a result of their parent or parents using donor sperm, eggs or embryos.

Donor conception: Donor conception means having a baby using donated sperm, or donated eggs or donated embryos.

Donor Insemination (DI): Donor insemination is a treatment where donated sperm is placed directly into the womb to fertilise the eggs during fertility treatment.

E

Egg donation: The donation of eggs to a treatment clinic for other patients to use in their fertility treatment.

Egg Retrieval: A procedure used to obtain eggs from ovarian follicles for in vitro fertilization. This is performed through the vagina using ultrasound to locate the follicle in the ovary.

Embryo: The term used to describe developing offspring during the period between fertilization and organ formation.

Embryo Transfer: The transfer of embryo(s) into the uterus.

Endometrium: The cycling lining of the uterus. This structure receives the implanting embryo.

F

Fertility Specialist or Reproductive Endocrinologist: A doctor specializing in the treatment of people with fertility problems. These Obstetrician/Gynecologists receive extra training in the study of hormones and fertility.

Fertilization: The process that results when an egg and sperm combine to create a zygote (which later divides to become an embryo). With natural conception, fertilization occurs in the fallopian tubes. With in vitro fertilization, it occurs in a laboratory dish. With intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) it occurs after the injection of the sperm into the egg.

Fetus: The developing baby from the second month of pregnancy until birth.

G

Gametes: Medical term for eggs and sperm.

I

Implantation: The attachment of the embryo to the endometrium of the maternal uterus. This process ultimately gives rise to the placenta (respiratory and excretory system of the developing fetus).

In Vitro Fertilization (IVF): The generation of embryos outside the body by mixing eggs and sperm in tubes or dishes containing defined culture media. In the treatment of human infertility, IVF defines a multi-step process including: ovarian stimulation, egg retrieval, insemination of eggs in culture tubes or dishes containing defined media and transfer of resulting embryos back to the uterus.

Infertility: The inability to achieve pregnancy. It can also be applied to the inability to carry a pregnancy to term.

Intended Parent: An intended parent is a name for an individual or couple that is building their family through the use of third-party reproduction, which can include egg, sperm or embryo donation and surrogacy arrangements. The intended parents are the individuals that will become the child’s parent once it is born. Couples experiencing infertility or unable to carry a pregnancy, same-sex couples, or single parents may become intended parents by choosing third-party reproduction.

Intended parents may also be called an intended family.

Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI): The technique of injecting one sperm into the cytoplasm of the egg. It is used during IVF most commonly for treatment of male factor infertility.

Intrauterine Insemination (IUI): A procedure in which sperm is directly placed into the uterus through the cervix using a catheter. Most often used as a treatment for unexplained infertility and mild male factor.

M

Miscarriage: Spontaneous loss of an embryo or fetus in the womb.

O

Oocyte: Reproductive cell (i.e. eggs) ovulated at the end of each reproductive cycle.

Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome (OHSS): Severe ovarian enlargement accompanied by fluid accumulation in the abdominal cavity. This may occur with or without pain, and with or without accumulation of fluid in the lungs. OHSS is caused when the ovaries become overstimulated by the various hormones that cause follicular development.

S

Surrogacy: The process of a patient carrying a baby on behalf of another person or family.

Subcutaneous (sc) Injection: Delivering medication with a fine small needle into tissue just below the surface of the skin.

Sperm Donation: Sperm donation is a medical procedure in which a man voluntarily provides his sperm to be used for assisted reproductive techniques, such as in vitro fertilization or intrauterine insemination, to help individuals or couples conceive a child.

T

Tubal Pregnancy (a type of Ectopic pregnancy): The development and attachment of an embryo in a fallopian tube.

U

Unexplained Infertility: Infertility where all test results are found to be normal.

Vitrification: This is the process of freezing eggs, sperm and embryos in the laboratory. It is rapid freezing and has very little negative effects on the eggs, sperm or embryos.

Z

Zygote: A fertilized egg which has not yet divided.