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Andrologist: person responsible for the assessment of sperm quality and preparation of sperm for inseminations ^ Blastocyst: a fertilized egg that has grown longer in the lab (usually 5 days) ^ Assisted Hatching: the incubation of sperm with the oocyte for purposes of fertilization ^ Cryopreserve: the process of freezing of embryos or sperm ^ Embryologist: the person responsible for the laboratory aspect of the in vitro fertilization program ^ Embryos: a fertilized egg that starts to divide into the multiple cells (blastomeres) ^ Endocrine: having to do with the hormone system of the body ^ Endometrial cavity: the inner aspect of the uterus where the embryo attaches (implants) ^ Estradiol (E2): a hormone released by developing follicles in the ovary; plasma estradiol levels are used to help determine progressive growth of the follicle during ovulation induction ^ Estrogen: a class of female hormones, produced mainly by the ovaries from the onset of puberty and continuing until menopause, which are responsible for the development of secondary sexual characteristics ^  Fallopian tubes: a pair of narrow tubes that carry the ovum (egg) from the ovary to the body of the uterus ^
Fertilization: the penetration of the egg by the sperm and fusion of genetic materials to result in the development of an embryo ^ Fibroid Tumor (Leiomyoma): a benign tumor of fibrous tissue that may occur in the uterine wall; may be totally without symptoms or may cause abnormal menstrual patterns or infertility ^ Fimbria: the fringed and hair-like outer ends of the fallopian tubes ^ Fimbriated Ends: the fringed and flaring outer ends of the fallopian tubes which capture the egg after it is released from the ovary. ^ Follicle: the term used to describe the egg and the surrounding fluid as seen on ultrasound ^ Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH): a hormone produced in the anterior pituitary that stimulates the ovary to ripen a follicle for ovulation ^ Follicular Phase: the fist half of the menstrual cycle when ovarian follicle development takes place ^  Gametes: another term for sperm or eggs ^
Genes: substances that convey hereditary characteristics, consisting primarily of DNA and proteins and occurring at specific points on the chromosomes ^ Gonadotropin: a hormone that stimulates the ovaries to produce eggs ^ Hatching: a process of exposing the zona pellucida to a weak acid solution to allow the developing embryo to continue to expand ^ Hyperstimulation: overstimulation of the ovary that is often associated with discomfort and fluid accumulation within the abdomen ^ Intramuscular: an injection given in the muscle ^ Laparoscopy: insertion of a fiberoptic instrument through the abdomen to visualize the anatomy of the pelvis ^ Luteal phase: the second half of the menstrual cycle following ovulation ^ Motility: a term used to describe movement of the sperm ^ Oocyte: another term for the egg ^ Percoll gradient Centrifugation: a means of separating sperm from the fluids found in the semen ^ Permeability: the ability to allow substances to pass through from one place to another ^  Pituitary: a gland within the brain that is responsible for controlling many of the hormonal functions of the body ^Pronuclear: the first stage of embryo development usually seen the first day after insemination ^ Reagents: chemicals used when processing sperm, eggs, or embryos ^  SART: Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology ^Subcutaneous: an injection given just below the skin ^ Superovulation: the process of inducing the development of more than one egg in any one menstrual cycle ^ Swim-up: a method of separating sperm from the fluids of the semen ^ Zona pellucida: the thick outer covering of the egg ^  Zygote: a term to describe a fertilized egg ^
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