Glossary
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Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART)
all fertility treatments in which either eggs or sperm, or both, are manipulated in the laboratory, including intra-uterine insemination (IUI), and in-vitro fertilization (IVF).
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Azoospermia
absence of sperm in the ejaculate.
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Congenital Bilateral Absence of the Vas Deferens (CBAVD)
birth abnormality resulting in the absence of vas deferens (sperm transport tubes) from both testicles.
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Ejaculate
thick, whitish fluid that is expelled from a man’s penis during sexual climax (orgasm).
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Epididymis
gland behind the testicles that collects and stores sperm, located between the testis and the vas deferens.
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Epididymovasostomy (EV or VE)
connection of the vas deferens (sperm duct) to the epididymis, in order to correct an obstruction.
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Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH)
hormone in the male that assists sperm formation.
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ICSI (Intra Cytoplasmic Sperm Injection)
injection of a single sperm directly into the cytoplasm of a mature egg using a glass needle, as an adjunct to in-vitro fertilization.
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Infertility:
diminished capacity to produce offspring, typically after 12 months of attempts, but may be only 6 months when woman is 35 years old or more.
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Intra-uterine Insemination (IUI)
insertion of concentrated (washed) sperm sample into uterus via a thin plastic tube placed through the cervix (also called artificial insemination).
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In-vitro Fertilization (IVF)
process for women to produce multiple eggs, extracted by trans-vaginal procedure and fertilized by sperm in the laboratory, with replacement of one to three embryos into the uterus thereafter.
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Luteinizing Hormone (LH)
in males, hormone that stimulates cells that secrete testosterone to increase testosterone levels.
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Morphology
measure of the percentage of sperm that have a normal shape, relates to egg penetration ability of sperm.
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Motility
measure of sperm cell movement.
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Oligospermia
low number of sperm in the ejaculate versus normal sperm density (count).
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Post-Ejaculate Urine (PEU)
post-ejaculation urine analysis to detect the presence of sperm in the urine as a result of retrograde ejaculation (see below).
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Post Vasectomy Semen Analysis (PVSA):
laboratory study of semen done, at least, 3 months post vasectomy to determine sterility (2 negative results are required to confirm patient is sterile).
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Prolactin (PRL)
hormone produced in the brain that can decrease testosterone level in males.
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Retrograde Ejaculation
backward flow of semen into the urinary bladder during sexual climax (orgasm) due to failure of bladder neck and prostate to propel the semen forward. Semen clears from bladder at next urination.
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Scrotum
also referred to as scrotal sac, hangs below penis and contains testicles.
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Semen
fluid that carries the sperm through the penis during ejaculation (also known as seminal fluid or ejaculate fluid)
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Semen Analysis
laboratory study of semen to determine the concentration, motility and shape of sperm.
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Sperm Antibodies
immune system proteins that normally fight infection, that are created against sperm, for unknown reasons, in some cases of infertility.
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Sperm Antibody Test (SAT)
test performed to determine whether or not antisperm antibodies are present in blood (serum), semen, or cervical mucous.
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Sperm Penetration Assay (SPA)
a test to evaluate the egg-penetrating capacity of sperm. This test provides information that complements “strict” morphology.
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Sperm Processing (Washing) for IUI
removal of seminal plasma, dead sperm and blood cells from the ejaculated semen and concentration of the best moving sperm into a smaller volume for intrauterine insemination (IUI) of the female partner.
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Spermatozoa
another name for sperm, the male reproduction cells that combine with the egg during fertilization.
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Spermatic Veins
main venous drainage pathway from the testicles.
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Testosterone
the major male sex hormone produced by the testicles, which stimulates growth of male sex organs, secondary sexual traits and normal sexual desire.
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Varicocele
varicose veins surrounding the testicle(s), caused by absence or malfunction of the valves within the spermatic veins. Most common and potentially correctable form of male infertility.
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Vas Deferens
sperm duct leading from the epididymis behind the testicle, through the groin and pelvis, terminating at the level of the prostate.
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Vasectomy
a minor procedure usually performed in the doctor’s office under local anesthetic and involves cutting the vas deferens through a small puncture in scrotum to effect sterility.
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Vasovasostomy
surgical reconnection of vas deferens (sperm duct) to return fertility after a vasectomy.
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