Glossary
Glossary
Glossary
AID – artificial insemination by donor
AIH – artificial insemination by husband/partner
blastocyst – a developmental stage of the ovum about 5–6 days after fertilization
follicle – a cavity in the ovary containing a maturing ovum
FSH – follicle stimulating hormone, induces ovulation in women and sperm production in men; secreted from the pituitary gland
HSSG – hysterosalpingosonography – an examination determining whether the fallopian tubes are open
ICSI – intracytoplasmic sperm injection, injection of sperm into the egg using a special pipette
insemination – injection of sperm into the uterine cavity
IVF – in vitro fertilization
LH – luteinizing hormone, pituitary hormone; in women a hormone peak occurs approximately 24 hours before ovulation; in men LF is responsible for testosterone production in the testicles
ovulation – the discharge of an ovum from the ovary
prolactin – a hormone that stimulates milk production; secreted from the pituitary gland in men and women; secretion increases during breast-feeding; physical stress increases secretion; excess production may prevent maturation of the ovum
progesterone – luteal hormone; a hormone secreted from the ovary after ovulation; secretion continues if pregnancy begins, otherwise the corpus luteum atrophies and menstruation begins