In this glossary you will find the most common terms used in fertility and assisted reproduction.
acrosome
Part of the sperm head that dissolves the membrane surrounding the egg to penetrate it and fertilise it.
Uterine condition where endometrial tissue is found in the muscle layer of the uterus. It can cause infertility in women.
adnexectomy
Surgical procedure in which the ovaries and Fallopian tubes are removed from one or both sides.
amenorrhoea
Absence of menstruation caused by disorders in the ovaries, uterus or vagina, or due to genetic factors.
Hormone that helps forming the male and female reproductive organs. In women, it is used as a marker to know the ovarian reserve.
amniocentesis
Diagnositic test in which a puncture is performed in the abdomen during pregnancy to obtain amniotic fluid and evaluate the health of the fetus. This test is conducted between weeks 15 and 20 of pregnancy.
anamnesis
The initial part of a patient's medical record that includes the reason for consultation, personal and family medical history, habits, and lifestyle.
andrology
Scientific discipline that studies the sexual and reproductive function of men.
Clinical pregnancy in which fertilisation has occurred but embryo development does not progress.
Embryo that presents a chromosomal abnormality where the number of chromosomes is different from 46.
Ovarian follicle that, in the ovulatory phase of the menstrual cycle, will release the egg and trigger ovulation.
apoptosis
Process in which cells self-destruct during the early stages of human development to eliminate damaged or dangerous cells.
array CGH
Diagnostic technique that analyses a patient's genome and evaluates possible chromosomal abnormalities.
artificial insemination by husband
Type of insemination using a semen sample from the couple.
Rare condition in which the uterine cavity has scar-like lesions.
Assisted reproductive technique in which a small opening is made in the outer layer of the embryo before transferring it to the maternal uterus to facilitate its release.
assisted reproduction
Set of treatments and medical techniques performed with the aim of achieving pregnancy in women and couples who cannot conceive naturally.
asthenospermia
Seminal pathology caused by the decrease in sperm motility.
Seminal pathology caused by the complete absence of sperm in the ejaculate.
Uterine malformation in which the uterus is divided into two cavities and has a heart-shaped appearance.
Pregnancy in which beta-hCG hormone is detected but ends unexpectedly and prematurely.
biopsy
Medical procedure in which a portion of tissue is extracted to analyse its cells.
bladder
Organ like a bag that stores urine before it leaves the body through the urethra.
blastocele
A fluid-filled cavity found within an embryo on day 5-6 of development that allows the movement of its cells.
carrier screening
Diagnostic test that analyses genes to study if there are diseases that can be transmitted to the offspring.
cellular division
Phase of cellular development in which each initial cell divides and gives rise to daughter cells.
cervical canal
Part of the female reproductive system that connects the vagina to the uterus.
cervicitis
Lower part of a woman's uterus that extends into the vagina.
chorionic biopsy
Prenatal diagnostic procedure performed between the 10th and 14th weeks of gestation to detect possible chromosomal or genetic abnormalities in the fetus.
chromosomal disorder
Anomaly in the number or structure of chromosomes. It usually occurs during fetal development.
clinical pregnancy
Pregnancy in which the presence of an embryo with a heartbeat is confirmed by ultrasound.
consanguinity
Genetic relationship of kinship between people.
contraceptive
Drug, device, or method that prevents or reduces the likelihood of getting pregnant.
corpus luteum
Temporary structure that forms in the ovary after ovulation.
cortisol
Hormone produced by the kidneys that regulates blood sugar levels and reduces inflammation. Elevated cortisol levels due to stress can lead to fertility issues such as erectile dysfunction in men and irregularities in the menstrual cycle in women.
criptozoospermia
Seminal alteration in which the number of sperm in the ejaculate is reduced, below 100 thousand per millilitre. This reduces the possibilities of having a natural pregnancy.
cromosome
Structure found inside the cell that contains DNA and proteins.
cryopreserved embryo
Embryo that is frozen to halt its development and preserve it for future use.
cryotransfer
Embryo transfer performed using frozen embryos.
cystadenoma
Benign tumor formed by ovarian tissue that is found in the ovary and can grow to a large size.
cytomegalovirus
Infection caused by a virus that, in pregnant women, can cause problems for the fetus.
cytoplasma
Gelatinous liquid inside a cell.
dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA)
A steroid hormone that is produced mainly in the adrenal glands, but is also synthesized in small amounts in the ovaries, testes, and brain.
deletion
Anomaly in which part of the structure of a chromosome is lost or has been deleted.
DHS (docosahexaenoic-aicd)
Omega-3 fatty acid found in fish, seafood, and nuts, whose consumption improves fertility in both men and women.
dichorionic twin pregnancy
Twin pregnancy in which each fetus has its own placenta.
donor insemination
Type of insemination using a semen sample from an anonymous donor.
donor oocyte
Cell donated for reproductive purposes by an anonymous donor.
donor semen
Semen sample from an anonymous donor used in assisted reproduction treatments.
Assisted reproduction treatment performed using eggs and sperm from donors.
Down syndrome
Chromosomal abnormality in which an extra chromosome appears in pair 21 of the karyotype.
dysmenorrhea
Disorder that causes painful menstruation in women.
egg
Female reproductive cell that is released periodically during a woman's fertile life.
egg denudation
Process in assisted reproduction treatment where the cells surrounding the eggs are removed.
egg donation
Procedure in which an anonymous donor donates her oocytes to another woman for assisted reproduction treatment.
Procedure in which embryos are donated to be used in assisted reproduction treatments.
embryo reduction
Intervention in which the development of one or more embryos is interrupted during the first trimester of a multiple pregnancy.
endocrine system
Set of organs, tissues, and cells that secrete hormones into the bloodstream, and act on other organs and tissues.
endometrial polyp
Abnormal appearance of cells in the endometrium that do not transform or disappear during a woman's menstrual cycle.
endometrial preparation
Administration of hormones such as progesterone and estrogen to prepare the endometrium before embryo transfer.
endometrial receptivity test
Diagnostic test in which the endometrial tissue is analysed to determine the implantation window, that is, the optimal time for a successful implantation.
endometriomas
A type of ovarian cyst caused by endometriosis, which grows inside the ovary and bleeds repeatedly during the menstrual cycle.
A chronic benign disease in which tissue similar to the endometrium grows outside of it, affecting 15% of women of reproductive age.
endometritis
It is the inflammation of the endometrium, the mucous layer that lines the inside of the uterus. It is usually caused by an infection.
epididymis
Long tube located behind the testicles that stores sperm and contributes to their maturation.
Discipline that studies changes in genes caused by the external environment.
erectile dysfunction
Inability of men to maintain an erection enough for sexual intercourse.
Hormone produced in the ovary that prepares the endometrium for embryo implantation and is essential for the development of female sexual organs.
euploidy
State of a cell that has the correct number of chromosomes.
extrauterine pregnancy
Pregnancy in which the embryo implants and develops outside the uterus. These pregnancies, also known as ectopic pregnancies, are not viable.
fetus
Stage of human development in the maternal uterus that ranges from the ninth week of gestation until birth.
follicle
Small sac in which the ovum matures and develops, and which also secretes hormones to regulate the female reproductive system.
follicular aspiration
Non-invasive procedure in which eggs are extracted from the ovaries.
follicular count
Non-invasive test used to measure the number of eggs a woman has at a specific time.
follicular depletion
Decrease in the number of follicles throughout a woman's reproductive life. Once they are completely depleted, it can lead to menopause.
follicular phase/proliferative phase
Initial phase of the menstrual cycle in which the hormone FSH (follicle-stimulating hormone) promotes the growth of follicles in the ovary.
follicular stimulation
Administration of hormonal medication to stimulate the development of eggs that can be retrieved and used in assisted reproductive treatments.
Hormone that in women stimulates the growth of follicles in the ovary, controls the production of estrogen, and participates in the menstrual cycle. In men, it promotes the development of sperm.
gamete
Sex cell that in men corresponds to the sperm and in women to the egg.
gametogenesis
Process of development of female (egg) and male (sperm) gametes or sex cells.
genetic disorder
Hereditary anomaly caused by a defect in one or more genes, usually due to a mutation.
Set of emotions that arise when undergoing assisted reproduction treatment with donor eggs or sperm.
genetic illness
Hereditary disease that can manifest early in life.
genetic material
Material from an animal or plant that contains genetic information to be passed from generation to generation.
gestagen
Hormonal drug whose main function is to regulate the menstrual cycle in women and support pregnancy.
Type of diabetes that develops in some women towards the end of pregnancy because pregnancy hormones block the function of the insulin hormone.
gestational sac
Structure that forms after the fertilisation of the egg by the sperm and protects the embryo in the early stage of development. It can be observed via ultrasound starting from the fifth week of pregnancy.
gonad
Sexual organ where gametes (eggs and sperm) develop and hormones are produced. In women, it is the ovaries, and in men, it is the testes.
gonadotropin
It is a type of hormone that stimulates the functioning of the gonads (ovaries in women and testicles in men).
gonorrhoea
Sexually transmitted disease that can be passed to the fetus during childbirth in pregnant women and cause serious problems.
gynaecology
Scientific discipline that studies the female genital and endocrine system.
heparin
Substance that helps in the blood clotting process.
heterologous insemination
Type of insemination using a semen sample from an anonymous donor.
heterotopic pregnancy
Multiple pregnancy in which each embryo has implanted in a different location; for example, one intrauterine and one abdominal implantation.
hirsutism
Excessive growth of dark, thick hair in women, usually in areas where only men grow hair.
homologous insemination
Type of insemination using a semen sample from the couple.
hormonal treatment
Administration of hormones for therapeutic purposes. In an in vitro fertilisation (IVF) treatment, refers to the hormones prescribed for ovarian stimulation.
Disorder that prevents the proper functioning of the female reproductive system due to the accumulation of fluid in the Fallopian tubes.
hypospermia
Male disorder in which the seminal volume deposited in the ejaculate is reduced.
Disorder that can cause irregularities in the menstrual cycle and reduce egg production due to low thyroid hormone production.
hysterectomy
Surgery typically performed laparoscopically to partially or completely remove the uterus.
Technique that uses x-ray to study the uterine cavity and Fallopian tubes to evaluate their permeability.
Symptom of bleeding that may occur when the embryo has implanted in the uterus.
Procedure that takes place in a laboratory.
induced abortion
Deliberate termination of a pregnancy performed by an expert using medication or surgery.
inmunological test
Diagnostic test that analises the causes of implantation failure in a woman.
Assisted reproduction technique used when the semen sample does not have good quality. The biologist directly injects sperm into each egg.
Assisted reproduction technique that involves introducing a semen sample into the maternal uterus for natural fertilisation of the egg. Also known as artificial insemination.
Karyotype
Standard arrangement of a cell’s chromosomes, used to diagnose genetic abnormalities.
Laparoscopy
Diagnostic and therapeutic intervention to observe and address issues related to the female reproductive organs.
LH (luteinizing hormone)
Hormone produced in the brain responsible for triggering ovulation and forming the corpus luteum.
low ovarian reserve
Reduced quantity of eggs a woman has, which decreases the chances of achieving a natural pregnancy. Ovarian reserve declines as a woman ages, but this process becomes more pronounced after the age of 35.
mammography
Technique used to visualise and study the internal structure of the breast.
menopause
Interruption of ovarian function in a woman's life that causes the cessation of menstruation.
micarriage
Spontaneous loss of a pregnancy before twenty weeks of gestation, or loss of a fetus weighing less than 500 grams.
monochorionic twin pregnancy
Twin pregnancy in which the fetuses share the placenta.
monogenic illness
Disease resulting from a mutation in a single gene.
multiple pregnancy
Pregnancy in which there are two or more fetuses.
myoma
Benign tumor formed by muscular tissue.
natural pregnancy
Pregnancy achieved without the use of assisted reproductive techniques and treatments.
necrospermia
Seminal alteration in which more than 45% of the sperm in the ejaculate are dead.
neonatal
It refers to everything related to the newborn, that is, babies during the first 28 days of life.
oligomenorrhea
Menstrual alteration that causes infrequent menstrual cycles lasting more than 35 days.
oligospermia
Seminal alteration in which the number of sperm in the semen is low, less than 15 million per milliliter.
oocyte
Female cell produced in the ovaries that, after joining with the sperm, gives rise to the zygote.
operating room
Conditioned and sterilised room used for performing surgeries and operations.
ovarian hyperstimulation
Excessive response of the ovaries in a hormonal ovarian stimulation treatment.
ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome
Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) occurs when the medication administered to stimulate follicle growth in assisted reproduction treatment causes excessive follicle growth and swelling of the ovaries.
Treatment that uses platelet-rich plasma (PRP) to improve oocyte quality in a woman.
ovary
Female sexual organ in which the eggs develop and certain sexual hormones are produced, which participate in the menstrual cycle and pregnancy.
ovulation
Process of the female menstrual cycle in which an ovary releases a mature egg into the fallopian tube.
Patau syndrome
Chromosomal abnormality in which an extra chromosome appears in pair 13 of the karyotype. Fetuses with this trisomy have malformations and typically pass away at a very early age.
pathologic semen
Semen sample in which sperm present defects in shape, mobility, or quantity.
pelvic floor
Set of muscles and tissues that surround the inside of the abdominal cavity.
period
Phase of the menstrual cycle in women where the endometrium sheds when there has been no fertilisation, resulting in bleeding.
phenotype
Set of traits of a person that are expressed in the genotype and their relationship with the environment.
placenta
Organ that forms during the fourth month of gestation and allows for the exchange of nutrients between the mother and the fetus.
plasma
Liquid component of blood used as self-medication in some treatments.
plasmapheresis
It is a medical procedure that consists of extracting a patient's blood, separating and removing the plasma with a specialized machine, and returning the cellular components to the body.
polar body
Small cell that appears in the mature egg and indicates it is ready for fertilisation.
postpartum
Period of time from childbirth until the woman returns to her pre-pregnancy state.
pregnancy test
Test that measures the presence of the beta-hCG hormone (pregnancy hormone) in the maternal urine.
Set of diagnostic tests performed on the embryo to detect possible genetic or chromosomal abnormalities before transferring it to the maternal uterus.
premature birth
Birth that occurs earlier than usual, typically before 37 weeks of gestation.
Cessation of ovarian activity in a woman before the age of 40.
premenopause
Period of time that occurs before menopause.
Hormone produced in the brain that causes breast growth and stimulates milk production during pregnancy and after childbirth.
progestin
Female sex hormone that mimics the effects of progesterone, a natural hormone that regulates the menstrual cycle and prepares the endometrium for implantation and maintenance of pregnancy.
recurrent implantation failure
Situation where pregnancy has not been achieved after 3 or more transfers of good-quality embryos.
reproductive age
Fertility period of a woman or a man.
reproductive system
Set of organs, glands, and tissues related to sexual reproduction. In women, it includes the ovaries, Fallopian tubes, uterus, cervix, and vagina. In men, it includes the prostate, testicles, and penis.
reproductuve health
State of physical, psychological, and social well-being related to the reproductive system of women and men.
residual follicle
Follicle that persists in the ovary after ovarian stimulation treatment and does not reach ovulation.
retrograde ejaculation
Ejaculation in which the semen goes to the bladder instead of being expelled through the penis when the orgasm arrives.
rubella
Contagious viral disease.
secondary amenorrhea
Absence of three or more menstrual periods in a woman who has previously menstruated. It can occur after pregnancy or due to hormonal imbalances.
Inability to become pregnant after previously having had a pregnancy and giving birth without issues.
secretory phase
Phase of the menstrual cycle in which the mature egg is released and travels to the Fallopian tube forbe fertilised.
semen
Whitish fluid that serves as a source of energy for sperm and enhances their mobility.
semen donation
Procedure by which a donor gives a semen sample to be used in an assisted reproduction treatment.
Analysis of a semen sample to assess the characteristics of his sperm.
serology
Study that evaluates the presence of antigens and antibodies for infectious diseases such as HIV, syphilis, or hepatitis B.
sexual abstinence
Voluntary interruption of a person's sexual activity.
speculum
Instrument used to keep apart the walls of a cavity to examine its interior.
sperm tail
Long tail of the sperm that allows its mobility.
spermatogenesis
Process of production and development of sperm in the ducts of the testicles.
spermatogonium
Male cell that, after development, gives rise to sperm.
spotting
Scanty vaginal bleeding of brown or reddish color that lasts between 2-3 days. Some women may experience this type of bleeding after embryo transfer, indicating the embryo has implanted in the uterus.
subcutaneous drug
Medication administered through an injection that penetrates one or more layers of the skin.
swim-up
Sperm capacitation procedure that allows for the selection of sperm with progressive motility through centrifugation.
syphilis
Infectious disease transmitted sexually that, in pregnant women, can appear in the placenta and infect the fetus.
T4 free
Hormone produced by the thyroid gland that regulates the metabolism and growth.
teratozoospermia
Seminal alteration where less than 14% of spermatozoa have a normal shape, which constitutes a cause of male infertility.
Surgical procedure to aspirate spem and use them in an assisted reproduction treatment. This technique is employed when sperm cannot be retrieved by other means or when there is pathological semen.
testicular aplasia
Absence of one or both testicles, either partially or completely, in a man at birth.
testosterone
Hormone produced in the testicles that is responsible for developing and maintaining male sexual characteristics. In women, this hormone is produced in the ovaries, but to a lesser extent.
thalassemia
Hereditary blood disorder that results in the body having less hemoglobin than normal.
toxoplasmosis
Infectious disease caused by the consumption of food contaminated with the parasite. In infected pregnant women, it can cause brain damage and death in the fetus.
transdermal drug
Medication, such as a patch, that is administered through the skin.
trisomy
Anomaly in which an extra chromosome appears in cells. This additional chromosome is an exact copy of the pair it appears in, resulting in a triplication.
trophoblast
Layer that surrounds the cells forming the blastocyst wall to facilitate embryonic implantation. Afterwards, if will form the placenta.
TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone)
Thyroid hormone produced in the brain that regulates the endocrine system. Abnormal levels of this hormone can affect women's fertility.
ultrasound
Medical instrument that allows visualisation of images of organs that cannot be seen with the naked eye.
urethra
Duct that carries urine from the bladder out of the body.
uterine aplasia
Absence of the uterus, either partially or completely, in a woman at birth.
uterine fibroids
Presence of fibroids in the uterus.
Benign tumor that grows in the wall of the uterus and around it.
Treatment that uses platelet-rich plasma (PRP) to improve the condition of the endometrium and increase the chances of embryo implantation.
vagina
Female organ that connects the vulva with the uterus.
vaginal cytology
Diagnostic test in which cells from a sample of the vagina or cervix are analysed to detect abnormalities such as infections or cancer.
vaginitis
Infection of the vaginal mucosa that can cause itching, burning, redness, abnormal vaginal discharge, and pain during sexual intercourse.
vaginosis
Vaginal infection caused by an imbalance in the natural bacterial flora of the vagina, where bacteria proliferate excessively and displace bacteria called lactobacilli.
Surgical procedure designed to cut or block the vas deferens, the tubes responsible for carrying sperm from the testicles to the urethra.
vitrified oocyte
Oocyte that has been cryopreserved (frozen) after an ovarian stimulation treatment for later use in assisted reproduction treatment.
zygote
Treatment that uses platelet-rich plasma (PRP) to improve the condition of the endometrium and increase the chances of embryo implantation.
