A

• AFC (Antral Follicle Count)

An Antral Follicle Count (AFC) is an ultrasound scan or test that evaluates a woman’s ovarian reserve, specifically the quantity of potential eggs still present in her ovaries.

• AMH (Anti-Müllerian Hormone)

AMH stands for Anti-Müllerian Hormone. To understand what it does, it helps to think of your ovaries as a basket that holds your eggs.

• ART (Assisted Reproductive Technology)

All fertility treatments involving eggs, sperm, or embryos outside the body, including IVF and ICSI. 

• Azoospermia

Azoospermia is a medical condition characterized by the complete absence of sperm in the ejaculate. 

B

• Beta hCG

The Beta hCG test measures a precise measurement of the human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) levels present in your bloodstream. Blood pregnancy test performed after IVF or IUI to confirm pregnancy. 

• Blastocyst

A blastocyst is the early stage of a mammalian embryo (A Day-5 or Day-6 embryo that has developed enough for transfer or freezing. )

• Blastocyst Transfer

Blastocyst transfer is a specialised technique used for embryo transfer during the In-Vitro Fertilization (IVF) process. 

• Biochemical Pregnancy

A very early pregnancy detected by blood test but not progressing to ultrasound confirmation.

C

• Cryopreservation

Cryopreservation is the use of very low temperatures to preserve structurally intact living cells and tissues. 

• Controlled Ovarian Stimulation (COS)

Use of fertility medications to produce multiple eggs during an IVF cycle. 

D

• DOR (Diminished Ovarian Reserve)

Diminished Ovarian Reserve (DOR) refers to a situation in which a woman’s ovaries exhibit a reduced number and/or quality of eggs compared to what is typically anticipated for her age. 

• Donor Egg IVF

IVF treatment using eggs from another woman known as a donor.

• Donor Sperm

Donor sperm plays a crucial role in procedures such as Intrauterine Insemination (IUI) and In Vitro Fertilization (IVF), assisting individuals and couples on their journey to conception.

• Donor Embryo

Embryo created from donor egg and donor sperm.

E

• Egg Retrieval / OPU (Oocyte Pick-Up)

Procedure performed under sedation to collect mature eggs from the ovaries. 

• Embryo

A fertilized egg initiates the process of dividing and development.

• Embryo Culture

Developing embryos in a controlled laboratory environment following fertilization.

• Embryo Freezing

Storage of embryos through vitrification for future transfer.

• Embryo Grading

Assessment of embryo quality by embryologists.

• Embryo Transfer (ET)

Placement of an embryo into the uterus. 

• Endometrium

Inner lining of the uterus where implantation occurs.

• Endometrial Thickness

Measurement of uterine lining before embryo transfer.

• Endometriosis

A condition where tissue similar to the uterine lining grows outside the uterus and may affect fertility. 

F

• Fertilization

Fusion of sperm and egg to form an embryo.

• FET (Frozen Embryo Transfer)

Transfer of a previously frozen embryo into the uterus. 

• Follicle

Fluid-filled sac in the ovary containing an egg.

• FSH (Follicle Stimulating Hormone)

Hormone responsible for follicle growth. Also measured in fertility evaluation. 

G

• Gamete

Reproductive cells (egg or sperm).

• Genetic Counselling

Consultation regarding inherited genetic disorders or for understanding the role of genetics in reproduction process before starting fertility treatment.

• GnRH Agonist Protocol

IVF stimulation protocol using GnRH agonist medications (also known as long protocol) 

• GnRH Antagonist Protocol

Most common IVF stimulation protocol using antagonist injections ( also known as short protocol)

H

• hCG Trigger Shot

Injection used to mature eggs before retrieval. 

• HSG (Hysterosalpingography)

X-ray test to check whether fallopian tubes are open ( also known as tubal patent test )

• Hysteroscopy

It is an endoscopy procedure to inspect the inside of the uterus.

I

• ICSI (Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection)

A single sperm is injected directly into an egg to achieve fertilization. Often used for male infertility.

• Implantation

Attachment of the embryo to the uterine lining.

• IMSI

Advanced sperm selection technique using high magnification.

• Infertility

Failure to achieve pregnancy after 12 months of regular unprotected intercourse (6 months if woman is over 35 years). 

• IUI (Intrauterine Insemination)

Prepared sperm is placed directly into the uterus around ovulation. 

• IVF (In Vitro Fertilization)

Eggs are fertilized with sperm in a laboratory and resulting embryos are transferred to the uterus. 

L

• LH (Luteinizing Hormone)

Hormone responsible for triggering ovulation.

• Luteal Phase

Second half of the menstrual cycle after ovulation.

• Luteal Support

Progesterone supplementation after ovulation or embryo transfer.

M

• Male Factor Infertility

Infertility caused by abnormal sperm count, motility, or morphology.

• Microsurgical TESE

Microsurgical sperm retrieval from testicular tissue.

• Motility

Ability of sperm to swim properly.

• Morphology

Shape and structure of sperm.

O

• Oocyte

Medical term for an egg.

• Oligospermia

The term “oligospermia” refers to a low number of sperm in the void.  

• Ovarian Reserve

The quantity and quality of remaining eggs in the ovaries. 

• OHSS (Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome)

A complication of ovarian stimulation causing enlarged ovaries and fluid accumulation. 

• Ovulation

Release of a mature egg from the ovary.

• Ovulation Induction (OI)

Use of medicines to stimulate ovulation. 

P

• PMOS (Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome )

PMOS, which stands for “Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome,” is a complicated hormonal, metabolic, and reproductive disorder. This was previously known as PCOS.

• PESA (Percutaneous Epididymal Sperm Aspiration)

Sperm retrieval procedure from the epididymis.

• PGT (Preimplantation Genetic Testing)

Testing embryos for genetic abnormalities before transfer.

• PGT-A

Testing embryos for chromosome number abnormalities (aneuploidy). 

• PGT-M

Testing embryos for specific inherited genetic diseases. 

• PGT-SR

Testing embryos when parents have chromosomal rearrangements.

• Progesterone

Hormone essential for implantation and pregnancy support. 

R

• Reproductive Endocrinologist

Fertility specialist trained in reproductive medicine. 

• Recurrent Implantation Failure (RIF)

Failure to achieve pregnancy after multiple good-quality embryo transfers.

• Recurrent Pregnancy Loss (RPL)

Two or more miscarriages.

S

• Semen Analysis

Laboratory test evaluating sperm count, motility, and morphology. 

• Sperm DNA Fragmentation

Test evaluating damage within sperm DNA.

• Sperm Wash

Laboratory preparation of sperm before IUI or IVF.

• Surrogacy

Arrangement where another woman carries a pregnancy for intended parents.

• Stimulation Cycle

Period of IVF injections used to stimulate follicle growth. 

T

• TESE (Testicular Sperm Extraction)

Surgical sperm retrieval from testicular tissue.

• TESA (Testicular Sperm Aspiration)

Needle aspiration of sperm from testes.

• Trigger Shot

Final injection given before egg retrieval. 

• Tubal Factor Infertility

Infertility caused by blocked or damaged fallopian tubes. 

• TWW (Two-Week Wait)

Waiting period after embryo transfer until pregnancy testing.

U

• Unexplained Infertility

Infertility where standard tests are normal but conception does not occur.

• Uterine Receptivity

Ability of the uterine lining to allow implantation. 

V

• Varicocele

Enlarged veins around the testes that may affect sperm quality.

• Vitrification

Rapid freezing technique used for eggs and embryos. 

Z

• Zona Pellucida

Protective outer shell surrounding the egg and embryo.

• ZIFT

Zygote Intrafallopian Transfer, an older ART technique.

• Zygote

The fertilized egg before embryo development begins.