Reproductive Medicine and Assisted Reproduction
Glossary
Anamnesis: history of diseases and previous interventions undergone by the patient.
Antisperm Antibodies: defense substances of the organism that can compromise sperm function under pathological conditions.
Azoospermia: total absence of sperm in the seminal fluid.
Asthenozoospermia: alteration of male semen that results in reduced sperm motility.
Beta HCG: pregnancy test performed with a blood analysis. It serves to verify the successful implantation of the embryo.
Blastomeres: cells of the embryo formed by repeated mitotic divisions of the zygote.
Blastocyst: stage of the embryo obtained around the 5th-6th day of development.
Cervical Canal: proximal part of the uterus that connects it to the vagina.
Peritoneal Cavity: space within the abdomen where various organs (uterus, tubes, ovaries, bladder, intestine) are located, covered by a membrane called peritoneum.
Sex Cells/Germ Cells: reproductive cells of the organism (oocyte and sperm).
Cytoplasm: part of the cell surrounded by the plasma membrane and containing the nucleus.
Cryopreservation: maintenance of cell viability over time through low-temperature preservation.
Chromosomes: components of the cell nucleus mainly composed of DNA molecules; they contain genetic information.
CGT: Genetic Compatibility Test.
Hormonal Dosages: tests aimed at determining the amount of hormones present in circulation.
Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis (PGD): diagnosis of genetic diseases on the embryo before implantation in the uterus.
Ejaculate: combination of seminal fluid, sperm, and cells present within the seminal fluid.
Retrograde Ejaculation: ejaculation that, due to anatomical, surgical, or disease-related causes (e.g., diabetes), occurs in the bladder instead of outside.
Embryo Donation: heterologous fertilization treatment in which the embryo is generated using oocytes and sperm from external donors.
Embryo: fertilized oocyte that has undergone the first cell division.
Endometrium: mucosa that lines the uterine cavity.
Endometrioma: screening test that provides information about the intrauterine microbial environment.
Endometriosis: disease frequently associated with infertility, consisting of the abnormal implantation of the mucosa lining the uterine cavity (endometrium).
Epididymis: organ where sperm are temporarily collected after being produced in the testicle.
ERA Test: Endometrial Receptivity Analysis Test.
Estradiol: hormone synthesized and secreted by the ovarian follicle.
Assisted Reproduction: a set of methodologies that assist the fertilization process and the very early stages of embryonic development.
Heterologous Fertilization: involves the use of sperm or oocytes from an external donor.
Homologous Fertilization: both gametes, sperm and oocytes, come from the couple.
IVF: In Vitro Fertilization and Embryo Transfer, i.e., laboratory fertilization, followed by the transfer of embryos into the uterus.
Follicle: fluid formation in the ovary that contains the egg cell. The follicle, in the pre-ovulatory phase, reaches a diameter of 18-24 millimeters.
Folliculogenesis: process that leads to the cyclical maturation of oocytes (female germ cells).
FSH: Follicle Stimulating Hormone, hormone that stimulates follicular growth. It is a gonadotropin produced by the pituitary gland, which stimulates the growth and maturation of the follicle. Drugs containing this hormone are used for follicular growth stimulation.
Gametes: sex cells; in women, oocytes; in men, sperm.
Geri: state-of-the-art incubator with integrated time-lapse functionality.
GIFT: transfer of gametes (sex cells) into the tubes.
Gonadotropins: hormones secreted by the pituitary gland under hypothalamic control. They are FSH and LH.
Ectopic Pregnancy: implantation of the embryo outside the uterus.
Heterotopic Pregnancy: implantation of two or more embryos simultaneously in the uterus and in another location.
ICSI: Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection, microinjection of one sperm into the oocyte.
Infertility or Sterility: inability to achieve conception after two years of unprotected sexual intercourse aimed at procreation.
Pelvic Infections: infections that can manifest in the uterus, tubes, ovaries, or lower abdomen.
Tubal Insufflation: diagnostic test to identify potential pathologies affecting the cervical canal and uterine cavity.
Ovarian Hyperstimulation: excessive stimulation of ovarian function.
Hysterosalpingography: radiological examination of the uterus and tubes performed with a contrast medium.
Hysteroscopy: surgical procedure using a thin endoscope (hysteroscope) to visualize the uterine cavity or to perform an intervention.
Laparoscopy: surgical procedure using a thin fiber-optic instrument (laparoscope) to visualize pelvic organs or perform surgery.
LH: Luteinizing Hormone, gonadotropin produced by the pituitary gland that peaks mid-cycle and triggers ovulation.
Semen: liquid composed of seminal plasma (produced by the prostate) and sperm.
Ultrasound and Hormonal Monitoring: monitoring of follicular growth through ultrasound and plasma estradiol measurement.
Cervical Mucus: mucous secretion produced by the cervix, allowing sperm to pass into the uterus; this mucus increases and becomes more fluid just before ovulation.
NIPT: Non-Invasive Prenatal Test
Oligozoospermia: reduced number of sperm in the ejaculate.
Oocyte Donation: heterologous fertilization treatment in which oocytes from an external donor are used and inseminated with the partner's sperm.
Oocyte: egg cell.
Oocyte with Two Pronuclei: egg cell in which the 23 chromosomes from the sperm and the 23 chromosomes from the egg are present in two separate nuclei (male and female pronucleus).
Hormones: substances produced by the organism through which different organs communicate with each other.
Ovulation: release of an oocyte from one of the ovaries.
PESA: Percutaneous Epididymal Sperm Aspiration, percutaneous aspiration of sperm from the epididymis.
Oocyte Retrieval: puncture and aspiration of follicles via the vagina under ultrasound control.
PGD: preimplantation genetic diagnosis.
PGS: preimplantation genetic screening.
PGT-A: Preimplantation Genetic Testing for Aneuploidies (new name for PGS).
PGT-M: Preimplantation Genetic Testing for Monogenic Disorders (new name for PGD).
PGT-SR: Preimplantation Genetic Testing for Structural Chromosomal Abnormalities.
Pre-embryo: phase of development between conception and the 14th day.
Progesterone: hormone secreted by the corpus luteum to prepare the endometrium for embryo implantation.
Spermatogonium: progenitor cell of the sperm.
Sperm: male sex cell present in seminal fluid.
Spermicides: products capable of destroying sperm, mainly used for contraceptive purposes.
Semen Culture: laboratory examination of seminal fluid to highlight potential microbiotic infections.
Semen Analysis: assessment of some morphological and functional parameters of sperm in seminal fluid, such as total number, concentration, motility, and morphology.
Stenosis: narrowing of the orifice of some organs.
Teratospermia: presence of morphologically abnormal sperm in a percentage higher than normal.
Culture Medium: chemical compound made of water, salts, proteins, and amino acids, capable of allowing good survival of gametes and embryos in vitro.
TESA: Percutaneous Testicular Sperm Aspiration, percutaneous aspiration of sperm from the testicle.
EEVA Test: early assessment of embryonic development.
Immunological Tests: tests to detect the presence of specific antibodies.
Testicle: male gonad responsible for producing sperm and secreting testosterone.
Tube: organ of the female reproductive system responsible for capturing oocytes, transporting sperm, fertilization, and transporting the embryo to the uterus.
Uterus: hollow muscular organ of the female reproductive system, responsible for containing, protecting, and nourishing the embryo and fetus.
Zygote: fertilized egg cell after amphimixis (reconstitution of a single genetic heritage of 46 chromosomes - 23 paternal and 23 maternal).
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