| A
|
|
| Acrosome |
Sac in the head of the spermatozoon. The acrosome contains the enzymes that are needed to penetrate the oocyte.
|
| Adherence |
Abnormal joining between two tissues following an inflammatory process. |
| AMH (=hormone anti-müllérienne) |
Protein secreted by follicular cells. Reflects the number of ovarian follicles. |
| Amenorrhoea |
Total absence of periods. |
| Amniocentesis |
examen du liquide amniotique après ponction à l’aiguille. |
| Anovulation |
No ovulation. |
| Artificial insemination |
The semen is deposited in the Cervix uteri or uterine cavity. It can be obtained from the partner (CAI – conjugal artificial insemination) or a donor (DAI - donor artificial insemination). |
| Aspermie |
No sperm. |
| Azoospermia |
Complete absence of spermatozoa in the semen (ejaculate). |
| B |
|
| Blastocyst |
Embryo of 5 to 6 days comprising a hundred or so cells. |
| C |
|
| Capacitation |
Process whereby the spermatozoa membrane is altered allowing the acquisition of their fertilising capacity. |
| Cervix uteri |
The lower part of the uterus that links the vagina and the uterine cavity. |
| Cervical mucus |
Viscous fluid secreted by the Cervix uteri, protecting spermatozoa from vaginal acidity and essential for them to rise. |
| Chromosome |
A cell element, supporting heredity. |
| Corpus luteum |
Temporary structure that forms instead of the follicle after expulsion of the oocyte. |
| Cumulus oophorus |
Cell mass incorporating the oocyte. |
| Cyst |
Fluid-filled cavity |
| E |
|
| Emergence |
The emergence of the embryo from the Zona pellucida to the blastocyst stage for implantation in the uterine endometrium. |
| Ejaculate |
Quantity of semen released during masculine ejaculation. |
| Ejaculation |
Emission of semen. |
| Embryo |
Fertilised egg from the 1st cell division up to 12 weeks of pregnancy. |
| Endometrium |
Covering of the uterine cavity. Reference is also made to the uterine mucosa. |
| Endometriosis |
A disease characterising the development of endometrial tissue outside the uterus (fallopian tubes, ovaries, abdominal cavity) and which could result in sterility. |
| Extra-uterine pregnancy |
A pregnancy that develops in a fallopian tube instead of in the uterus. |
| F |
|
| Fallopian tubes |
Tubes that link the uterus to the ovaries allowing the ovules and the spermatozoa to come into contact with each other. |
| Fecundability |
Probability that a woman will conceive during the monthly cycle. |
| Fertility |
Ability to conceive, i.e. start a pregnancy. |
| Fibroma |
Benign tumour of the uterus formed from fibrous, muscular tissue. |
| Flagellum |
An organ that propels the spermatozoa. |
| Foetus |
Unborn child after the 12th week of pregnancy. |
| Follicle |
Ovarian structure containing the ovule and developing each month. |
| Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH) |
Hormone secreted by the pituitary gland and responsible for follicular growth in women and for spermatozoa production in men. |
| Follicular phase |
First phase in the menstrual cycle starting on the 1st day of the period and ending with ovulation. |
| G |
|
| Gamete |
Male or female reproductive cell (oocyte and spermatozoa). |
| Gonadotropins |
These are FSH and LH, which are secreted by the pituitary gland and which direct the function of the gonads (ovaries or testicles). |
| H |
|
| Hormone |
Substance secreted by a gland having a specific activity. |
| Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG) |
Hormone secreted during pregnancy. The assay of this hormone confirms pregnancy. |
| Hypofertility |
Hypofertility is used to refer to a couple having difficulty conceiving a child. |
| Hypothalamus |
Region of the brain that controls the function of the pituitary gland. |
| Hysterosalpingography (HSG) |
Radiological examination that involves the injection of a radio-opaque liquid via the Cervix uteri into the uterine cavity and then into the fallopian tubes in order to check the permeability of the latter.
|
| Hysteroscopy |
An examination that allows the interior of the uterine cavity to be seen by introducing a very fine instrument via the Cervix uteri (no anaesthesia is required). |
| I |
|
| ICSI |
Injection of a spermatozoon within an ovule. |
| Idiopathic sterility |
Unexplained sterility of no detectable origin. |
| Impregnated oocyte |
See « zygote ». |
| Infertility |
Difficulty in procreating. |
| In-vitro fertilisation |
Where several ovules (collected by needle biopsy) placed in a test tube come into contact with spermatozoa. |
| L |
|
| Laparoscopy |
Examination of the abdominal cavity highlighting the organs using an optical system inserted via the navel. |
| Leydig’s cells |
Cells surrounding the seminiferous tubules of the testicle and which produce testosterone. |
| Luteal phase |
The second part of the cycle, i.e. the last 11-17 days after ovulation. |
| Luteinising Hormone (LH) |
Hormone secreted by the pituitary gland and responsible for follicle rupture and ovulation in women and for the secretion of testosterone in man. |
| M |
|
| Medically Assisted Procreation (MAP) |
All of the medical and biological techniques used to treat male or female sterility. |
| Menopause |
It marks the end of a woman’s periods and the possibility to conceive. It can occur much earlier than normal middle age (between 45 and 55 years of age). |
| Miscarriage |
Spontaneous abortion of the embryo or foetus occurring before the end of the sixth month of pregnancy. |
| N |
|
| Nesting |
Implantation of the embryo in the uterine endometrium. |
| O |
|
| Oestradiol |
Female hormone secreted by the ovaries. |
| Oestrogens |
Hormones secreted by the follicle during the first part of the cycle. |
| Oligomenorrhoea |
Irregular and abnormally long menstrual cycles |
| Oocyte |
Female reproductive cell released monthly at the time of ovulation. The term ovule is used to refer to mature oocytes capable of fertilisation. |
| Oogenesis |
Mechanisms for the formation of oocytes. |
| Ovaries |
Genital glands approximately 5 cm long, producing oocytes in women. |
| Ovarian stimulation |
Treatment with an ovulation inducer allowing the ovaries to produce one or more follicles. |
| Ovulation |
Rupture of the follicle, which develops each month on the ovary, with release of the female sex cell or oocyte, which will be taken up by the fallopian tube. |
| Ovulation inducers |
Substances that trigger the development of one or more follicles in the ovary. |
| P |
|
| Pavilion |
Tip of the fallopian tube that receives the oocyte with each ovulation. |
| Pituitary gland |
A gland located at the base of the brain. |
Post-coital test or Hühner test
|
Examination of the cervical mucus during the pre-ovulatory period, 6 to 10 hours after intercourse, in order to assess the quality of the mucus on the one hand, and the number and mobility of the spermatozoa on the other hand. |
| Polyp |
Generally benign abnormal growth of uterine mucosa in the shape of a bell clapper. |
| Progesterone |
Hormone secreted by the Corpus luteum after ovulation. It prepares the uterine mucosa for the implantation of the egg and ensures that pregnancy continues. |
| S |
|
| Semen |
Fluid released by the male during ejaculation. It contains spermatozoa produced by the testicles and prostate and seminal vesicle secretions. |
| Semen analysis |
Examination of the semen highlighting the volume of semen released, the concentration of spermatozoa, the percentage of mobile spermatozoa and the morphology. |
| Seminiferous tubules |
Long, thin tubes located in the testicles where sperm are produced. |
| Spermatogenesis |
Mechanisms for the formation of spermatozoa. |
| Spermatozoon (spermatozoa) |
Male reproductive cell. |
| Spermoculture |
Test for germs indicative of an infection in the semen. |
| Stenosis |
Abnormal narrowing of the aperture of an organ, resulting in an obstruction. |
| Sterility |
Inability to procreate. No pregnancy after a minimum of two years of normal sexual relations without using contraceptives. |
| Synechia |
accolement fibreux entre les parois de la cavité utérine. |
| T |
|
| Testicles |
Male genital glands producing spermatozoa. |
| Testosterone |
Male hormone secreted by the testicle. |
| Transfer |
The introduction of an embryo into the uterus. |
| U |
Ultrasound investigation of the pelvic organs and intra-uterine contents. |
| Ultrasound scan |
|
| Uterus |
Female organ where pregnancy develops. |
| Uterine mucosa |
Internal covering of the uterine cavity. |
| V |
|
| Varicocele |
Varicose veins in the scrotum, likely to trigger a decrease in the mobile sperm cell (spermatozoa) count.
|
| Z |
|
Zona pellucida
|
Translucent sheath surrounding the oocyte. |
| Zygote |
Fertilised egg characterised by the presence of two nuclei – one from the mother and the other from the father.
|
