Glossary

ANDROGENE

Male hormone

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AMBULANT

Without staying in hospital.

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ASSISTED HATCHING

The egg cell and embryo is encircled by a firm shell, so- called zone pellucida.

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DOWN REGULATION

Body production of hormones should be reduced through medication.

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OVARIES

Pair female organs, ca 2 cm big, where egg cells are produced. They are composed of estrogen and gestagen.

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FALLOPIAN TUBES

Gentle and tube shaped organs that take the egg cell and where the impregnation takes place; responsible for the further transport of the fertilized egg cell into the uterus.

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TUBULAR PREGNANCY

Nidation of the fertilized egg cell in the Fallopian tube, not on the mucous membrane of the uterus.

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OVULATION

Mature egg cell is released from the follicle and is taken by the Fallopian tube.

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EMBRYO TRANSFER

Implantation of the fertilized egg after artificial insemination into the uterus.

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ENDOMETRIOSIS

The existence mucous membrane outside of the uterus. Endometriosis is often the cause for not being able to have children. The sickness can lead to cicatrization of the affected organs. The most common sign of sickness is strong pain in the abdominal area before the beginning of the period.

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FOLLICLE

A bubble in the ovary filled with fluid in which the egg cells mature.

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FOLLICLE PUNCTION

Extraction of the follicle fluid with a very thin and hollow needle in order to extract an egg cell.

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FSH (FOLLICLE STIMULATING HORMONE)

This hormone stimulates the development of follicles in the ovary.

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UTERUS

Pear shaped organ where embryos grow and develop. The uterus consists of the cervix (it is also a part of the vagina) and the cavity of the uterus.

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ENDOMETRIUM

Mucous membrane, dependable on hormones, that covers the inner side of the uterus. It changes throughout the menstrual cycle and is disposed together with the period.

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CORPUS LUTEUM

Develops from an ovarian follicle. Corpus luteum produces important hormones that are essential for maintaining the early pregnancy. It got the name from its yellow colour (corpus luteum, lat. yellow body).

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GnRH (GONADOTROPINE RELEASING HORMONE)

Hormone responsible for the release of FSH and LH hormones.

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GnRH-AGONIST

Medication that blocks the release of FSH and LH hormones.

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GnRH-ANTAGONIST

Directed at working against the GnRH. The release of FSH and LH hormones is therefore stopped.

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HIV-INFECTION

Disease caused by a virus, leads to weakening of the immune system.

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HORMONES

Chemical messengers between organs.

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(HCG) HUMAN CHORIONIC GONADOTROPINE

Hormone produced during pregnancy that is produced from the yolk bag of the embryo. It can be detected in blood and urine and is used for pregnancy confirmation. Artificially produced HCG is, because of its similarity with the ovulation inducing LH hormone, used to stimulate ovulation when using the IVF.

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HMG (HUMAN MENOPAUSAL GONADOTROPINE)

Hormone of the menopause. It is extracted from the urine of women in menopause and is used to stimulate ovaries.

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ICSI (INTRA CYTOPLASMIC SPERM INJECTION)

A form of artificial insemination where a single sperm is injected in the egg cell with the help of a thin, hollow needle

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IVF (IN-VITRO-FERTILISATION)

Fertilization that takes place in a “dish“– fertilization outside of the body.

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IUI (INTRAUTERINE INSEMINATION)

Injection of semen in the cavity of the uterus with a very thin and bendable catheter. The way between the egg cell and the sperm is therefore “shortened”.

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CRYOPRESERVATION

Refreezing of embryos and sperm.

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LUTEAL PHASE ASSISTANCE

Luteal phase is the time between ovulation and the beginning of the period. Nidation takes place during this phase. Progesterone is the important hormone during this phase. If the progesterone level is low, it leads to luteal insufficiency. In these cases, the hormone insufficiency can be reduced by applying oral hormone therapy.

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LH (LUTEINIZING HORMONE)

Hormone responsible for an ovulation. Luteinizing Hormone

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MYOMA

Myoma can happen to many women. It is a kind of tumor in the uterus built from muscle tissue. Myoma can sometimes be a cause of continuing infertility.

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ESTROGEN

Primary female sex hormone that is responsible for the development of the mucous membrane.

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PLACENTA

Placenta feeds the baby with essential nutritious elements; it is disposed as the afterbirth after a baby is born.

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PCOS (POLYCYSTIC OVARY SYNDROME)

Ovary with many little follicles that is not mature.

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PROGESTERON

Hormone built from corpus luteum (yellow body). It prepares the mucous membrane of the uterus for nidation and it had an important lasting effect in the early pregnancy.

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PROLACTIN

Hormone of the posterior pituitary gland that triggers milk let-down. If the prolactin level increases, ovulation does not take place.

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RUBELLA

Viral infectious disease, that can lead to severe child damages during pregnancy.

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TSH (THYROID-STIMULATING HORMONE)

Hormone that regulates the secretion of thyroid gland hormones.

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STERILITY

or infertility. Sterility is usually diagnosed if pregnancy doesn’t occur after one year of regular unprotected sexual intercourse (2-3 times per week).

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STERILIZATION

Deliberate sterility achieved through transaction of Fallopian tubes or spermatic duct.

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TESE/MESA

Ability of sperm extraction directly from testicles or testicle tissue if sperm cannot be produced by ejaculation.

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