Fertility Glossary

Androgen
Hormones that govern the development of male sexual organs and male characteristics e.g. sperm production, hair growth, deep voice.

Andrologist
A doctor who specialises in male infertility and sexual disorders.

Andrology
The study of diseases specific to the male reproductive system.

Anovulation
Menstrual cycles in which an egg (ova) is not produced.

Asthenozoospermia
Poor motility of sperm.

Azoospermia
An absence of sperm in the ejaculate.

Cervical Mucus
A secretion from the lining of the cervical canal.

Cervix
The neck or opening of the uterus, which protrudes into the vagina.

Cilia
Micro tubular, hair like structures that assist movement e.g. those lining the fallopian tubes assist with the movement of the egg and sperm.

Endometriosis
The presence of endometrium outside the uterus within the pelvic cavity. This can appear anywhere within the pelvis and even the lungs.

Endometrium
The tissue lining the uterus. It is cast off during the woman's menstrual period, and regenerates getting thicker and thicker until the next period.

Follicle
Circular fluid filled space within the ovary containing a developing egg.

Follicle Stimulating Hormone
A hormone secreted by the pituitary gland in the brain. In women, follicle-stimulating hormone stimulates the development of ovarian follicles and stimulates the release of oestrogens. In men, follicle-stimulating hormone stimulates the production of sperm.

Gametes
Female and male reproductive cells (eggs and sperm).

Gonadotrophin
A hormone capable of promoting gonadal growth and function.

Infertility
The inability of a couple to achieve a pregnancy or to carry a pregnancy to term after one year of unprotected intercourse.

Luteinising Hormone (LH)
A pituitary gonadotrophic hormone, which acts with the follicle stimulating hormone to stimulate ovulation to take place in the female and the release of testosterone from the testes in the male.

Menopause
The cessation of menstruation in the human female, occurring usually around the age of 50.

Sperm Morphology
The form or shape of the sperm.

Motility
The ability to move spontaneously.

Ovaries
The structures in which the eggs are developed and released during ovulation. They produce the female hormones oestrogen and progesterone.

Ovarian Reserve
A measure of the ovaries ability to respond to FSH in order to produce eggs capable of fertilisation.

Ovulation
The release of the developed egg from the ovary. The egg is released when the ovarian follicle opens in response to a hormonal signal. Ovulation occurs around fourteen or fifteen days from the first day of the woman's last menstrual cycle.

Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)
A condition where multiple cysts appear in the ovary. Abnormal hormone imbalance can arise causing problems with ovulation.

Scrotum
The muscular sac that contains the testes.

Semen
The fluid released from the penis at orgasm which contains sperm and secretions from the prostate gland.

Semen Analysis
The assessment of sperm morphology, motility and sperm count (number of sperm per cubic millimetre).

Testes
The male reproductive organs producing testosterone and sperm.

Testosterone
Male sex hormone produced in the testes that triggers the development of sperm.

Varicocele
A varicose (swollen) vein in the scrotum.

Vas Deferens
The tube from each testicle, which conveys sperm.