A

 

Assisted Hatching - Making a small hole in the outer protective coating of an embryo to enable it to hatch out more easily. The hole is made using a chemical or a laser.

 

B

 

Blastocyst - An embryo which has reached a more advanced developmental stage (around five days after egg collection)

 

C

 

C.M.V (Cytomegalovirus) - Blood testing for this virus is used to match people with donor sperm or eggs

 

D

 

Dummy embryo transfer - Performing an embryo transfer as a trial run without embryos to gain information for the real procedure

 

E

 

E2 (Oestradiol) - A hormone usually measured in the blood regularly during I.V.F to monitor response to drug stimulation.

 

Epididymis - Epididymis is the collecting channels (tubules) that carry sperm from the testicles to the vas. The vas is the channel that carries sperm from the epididymis to the penis.

 

F

 

F.S.H (Follicle stimulating hormone) - Hormone responsible for the growth of the egg producing follicles in women and sperm production in men

 

Fibroid - A benign (non cancerous) tumour made up of fibrous and muscular tissue.

Fecundity - the ability to produce offspring frequently

 

H

 

H.S.G (Hysterosalpingogram) - An X-ray test using dye as a contrast to visualise the womb cavity and to establish whether the fallopian tubes are open or not. The dye is introduced vaginally and no general anaesthetic is required.

 

HyCoSy (Hysterosalpingo-Contrast Sonography) - A test to look inside the womb cavity using ultrasound scan and sterile saline solution as a contrast. The procedure is done via the vagina and no general anaesthetic is required.

 

Hysteroscopy - A test using a fine telescope to look directly inside the womb cavity. This procedure is done under a general anaesthetic and the telescope is introduced vaginally.

 

L

 

Laparoscopy - Passing a telescope through the abdominal wall via a small incision to look at the outer surfaces of the womb and other pelvic organs. This may also involve the use of dye passed through the fallopian tubes to check they are open. A general anaesthetic is required for this procedure.

 

P

 

P.C.T. (Post-coital test) - Testing for living sperm in the cervical mucous shortly after sexual intercourse. A fine sampling tube is inserted vaginally to collect some of the mucous, which is then examined under the microscope in the laboratory.

 

Polyp - A fleshy lump caused by outgrowth of tissue from a mucous surface. Can be found inside the womb.

 

Progesterone - Hormone that maintains the womb lining during the second half of a woman's cycle. Can be measured in the blood or given as a drug supplement.

 

U

 

Ultrasound scan - Painless visual imaging of the pelvis using a probe which can either be inserted vaginally or placed against the abdomen in patients with a full bladder.