GLOSSARY OF TERMS
Anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH)
This blood test also predicts how many eggs are developing and can be done anytime in your cycle.
Antral follicle count (AFC) ultrasound
AFC is the number of resting follicles in the ovary. This test is done with a transvaginal ultrasound. It can help predict how many eggs are developing in a single month.
Day 3 labs
Estradiol (E2), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and luteinizing hormone (LH) are hormone levels that are checked at the start of your cycle and predict how well you will stimulate with fertility drugs.
Degenerated
Damaged or of compromised quality.
Egg
Also known as an ovum, this is the female reproductive cell that carries maternal genes.
Empiric therapy
This is the use of pills or injectable medication to enable multiple eggs to be ovulated.
Fragmentation
Also called blebbing, this is a process where portions of the embryo’s cells have broken off and are now separate from the portion of the cell with the nucleus.
Genetic carrier screening
This is the screening for genetic diseases before pregnancy.
Hysterosalpingogram (HSG)
This is an X-ray done by our physicians or advanced practice providers that visualizes the uterus and confirms the fallopian tubes are open.
In vitro fertilization (IVF)
This treatment involves follicle growth followed by egg retrieval and in-lab fertilization. Embryos are then transferred back into the uterus of the patient.
Inner cell mass
A ball of cells in a blastocyst that will eventually grow into the fetus.
Intrauterine insemination (IUI)
This treatment involves the washing and injection of sperm directly into the uterus, and is often the first step in fertility treatment.
IVF education
Education includes a series of appointments within our clinic, including a visit with one of our psychologists, financial counselors, our pharmacist and a nurse.
Meiosis
A type of cell division that occurs in egg or sperm cells. Unlike regular cells, which contain 46 chromosomes, egg or sperm cells contain 23 chromosomes after undergoing meiosis.
Morphology
The shape and appearance of a cell.
Nuclei
Plural for nucleus, which is the organelle inside of a cell that contains the majority of the cell’s genetic material.
Ovarian Reserve
Ovarian reserve is an estimate of the remaining supply of eggs in the ovary.
Ovarian Reserve Tests
Ovarian reserve tests aim to measure both the number of eggs that a woman is capable of producing in a single month, as well as measure the overall egg supply within the ovary. Four tests are often performed together, including: AFC, AMH and FSH.
Saline infusion ultrasound (SIS)
This test evaluates the uterus and the shape of the uterine cavity by injecting water into the uterus during ultrasound. This is done in the office by an MD or a nurse practitioner.
Semen analysis
This is an evaluation of sperm for normal shape and sperm count.
Sperm
The male reproductive cell that carries the paternal genes.
Third-party conception
This type of pregnancy uses a surrogate (a gestational carrier), or an egg or sperm donor.
Trophectoderm
A sheet of cells in a blastocyst that will develop into tissues needed during the pregnancy, like the placenta.
This blood test also predicts how many eggs are developing and can be done anytime in your cycle.
Antral follicle count (AFC) ultrasound
AFC is the number of resting follicles in the ovary. This test is done with a transvaginal ultrasound. It can help predict how many eggs are developing in a single month.
Day 3 labs
Estradiol (E2), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and luteinizing hormone (LH) are hormone levels that are checked at the start of your cycle and predict how well you will stimulate with fertility drugs.
Degenerated
Damaged or of compromised quality.
Egg
Also known as an ovum, this is the female reproductive cell that carries maternal genes.
Empiric therapy
This is the use of pills or injectable medication to enable multiple eggs to be ovulated.
Fragmentation
Also called blebbing, this is a process where portions of the embryo’s cells have broken off and are now separate from the portion of the cell with the nucleus.
Genetic carrier screening
This is the screening for genetic diseases before pregnancy.
Hysterosalpingogram (HSG)
This is an X-ray done by our physicians or advanced practice providers that visualizes the uterus and confirms the fallopian tubes are open.
In vitro fertilization (IVF)
This treatment involves follicle growth followed by egg retrieval and in-lab fertilization. Embryos are then transferred back into the uterus of the patient.
Inner cell mass
A ball of cells in a blastocyst that will eventually grow into the fetus.
Intrauterine insemination (IUI)
This treatment involves the washing and injection of sperm directly into the uterus, and is often the first step in fertility treatment.
IVF education
Education includes a series of appointments within our clinic, including a visit with one of our psychologists, financial counselors, our pharmacist and a nurse.
Meiosis
A type of cell division that occurs in egg or sperm cells. Unlike regular cells, which contain 46 chromosomes, egg or sperm cells contain 23 chromosomes after undergoing meiosis.
Morphology
The shape and appearance of a cell.
Nuclei
Plural for nucleus, which is the organelle inside of a cell that contains the majority of the cell’s genetic material.
Ovarian Reserve
Ovarian reserve is an estimate of the remaining supply of eggs in the ovary.
Ovarian Reserve Tests
Ovarian reserve tests aim to measure both the number of eggs that a woman is capable of producing in a single month, as well as measure the overall egg supply within the ovary. Four tests are often performed together, including: AFC, AMH and FSH.
Saline infusion ultrasound (SIS)
This test evaluates the uterus and the shape of the uterine cavity by injecting water into the uterus during ultrasound. This is done in the office by an MD or a nurse practitioner.
Semen analysis
This is an evaluation of sperm for normal shape and sperm count.
Sperm
The male reproductive cell that carries the paternal genes.
Third-party conception
This type of pregnancy uses a surrogate (a gestational carrier), or an egg or sperm donor.
Trophectoderm
A sheet of cells in a blastocyst that will develop into tissues needed during the pregnancy, like the placenta.
