UniFee Lexicon

Androgens

Male hormones that also occur naturally in the female body. If the level in the blood is too high, PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome) is often present and fertility problems may occur.

Aneuplodia

Maldistribution of the chromosomes. The most common variant is a trisomy, in which one chromosome is present three times instead of the normal two. This leads either to the death of the embryo or to diseases such as trisomy 21 in the children born.

Assisted hatching

Before implantation in the uterine lining, embryos must hatch from the rigid egg membrane (zona pellucida) in whose protection they have developed for the first five days. Opening the egg membrane, for example with a laser, is intended to facilitate hatching.

Blastocyst

Embryonic stage on day five to six after fertilisation. The embryo should be implanted in the uterus by this time at the latest.

Chromosomes

Components of the cell nucleus and carriers of genetic information. A human being has 2 x 23 = 46 chromosomes. Two of these determine the sex. The cell nucleus of a woman has two X chromosomes, that of a man one X and one Y chromosome. Depending on whether a sperm carries an X or Y chromosome, a boy or a girl is created.

Down-regulation

From the English: "down-regulation". Medication can reduce the release of the body's own hormones. This can be an advantage during stimulation therapy - because, among other things, it suppresses the body's own ovulation.

Ovaries

These organs, which are located on both sides of a woman's abdomen and are about the size of a plum, produce the hormones oestrogen and progesterone and contain the eggs that are released during ovulation in the monthly cycle.

Fallopian tubes

A funnel-shaped channel between the ovary and the uterus. This is where the eggs end up after ovulation, are fertilised and pass through as early embryos before implanting in the uterus.

Ectopic pregnancy

In an ectopic pregnancy, the embryo does not implant in the uterus, but in the fallopian tube. At this point, the pregnancy cannot be carried to term and usually has to be removed either by surgery or medication. It is rare for the pregnancy to end naturally.

Ovulation

In the middle of the cycle, a follicle usually opens and the egg is released for fertilisation. If two or more follicles open, twins or multiples can develop.

Embryo

Once the sperm and egg have fused and a new cell nucleus has formed in the fertilised egg, this is known as an embryo. From the 13th week of pregnancy, the developing child is referred to as a foetus.

Embryo transfer

Transfer of embryos created in a test tube into the uterus using a thin catheter (usually two to six days after fertilisation).

Endometriosis

From the Greek: endo = inside, metra = uterus. This is the lining of the uterus that colonises other parts of the abdomen and causes pain during the menstrual cycle. Endometriosis is a common cause of involuntary childlessness.

Endometrium

lining of the uterus

Follicle

Fluid-filled vesicles in the ovaries in which the eggs mature and remain until ovulation.

Follicular puncture

Removal of tissue by means of a minor surgical procedure. In the context of IVF, this refers to follicular puncture, i.e. the aspiration of the fluid in the follicles of the ovary.

FSH

Follicle-stimulating hormone that promotes the growth and development of egg cells. This is also used as a medication in stimulation treatment.

gametes

Sex cells. Overall term for sperm and egg cells.

Uterus (womb)

Pear-shaped organ in the woman's abdomen in which the child is carried. The uterus begins with the cervix, which is followed by the neck of the womb and the uterine cavity. The two fallopian tubes open into the uterus.

Corpus luteum

After ovulation, the follicle changes and transforms into the corpus luteum. This has a yellowish colour and is responsible for the production of progesterone.

GnRH

Gonadotropin-releasing hormone. The hormone causes the release of LH and FSH.

GnRH agonist (GnRH antagonist)

Medication that prevents the release of the hormones LH and FSH. Both (agonist and antagonist) are used to inhibit ovulation during stimulation treatment in IVF therapy. However, the agonist can also be used to trigger ovulation in certain situations.

hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin)

Hormone produced by early embryos and therefore used as proof of pregnancy. It is used in stimulation treatment to trigger ovulation.

IVF (in vitro fertilisation)

Literally: "in vitro fertilisation". IVF is the fertilisation of an egg outside the body.

ICSI (intracytoplasmic sperm injection)

Method of artificial fertilisation in which a single sperm is injected into the egg using a thin hollow needle. This method is used in addition to IVF - especially if the sperm quality is limited.

IUI (intrauterine insemination)

Transfer of sperm into the uterus with the help of a catheter.

Cryopreservation

From the Greek: kryo = "cool, frosty". Storage of eggs or sperm at extremely low temperatures. This is normally done in liquid nitrogen at -196°C.

Laparoscopy

Laparoscopy to examine the position, size and condition of the abdominal organs. The laparoscopy is usually combined with an examination of the fallopian tubes (chromoperatubation).

Luteinising hormone (LH)

Hormone that triggers ovulation.

Myoma

Benign tumour consisting of muscle tissue in the uterus. Myomas can be a cause of infertility or miscarriages.

Nidation

Implantation of the embryo in the uterine lining on the sixth day after fertilisation.

Oocyte

Oocyte

Oestrogen

From the Latin: oestrus = ready to mate, gen = produce. Female sex hormone that is produced in the ovaries and is responsible, among other things, for the development of the uterine lining.

Placenta

"An embryonic organ that supplies the foetus in the uterus with nutrients. After birth, the placenta detaches as an afterbirth.

PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome)

Disease in women in which the ovaries have many small follicles (also known as cysts) and there is often an excessively high level of male hormones (often blemished skin, unwanted hair growth on the face or stomach or even hair loss). PCOS can be a cause of involuntary childlessness.

PN stages

Fertilised eggs in the pronucleus stage. These egg cells have two recognisable pronuclei and are not yet considered embryos within the meaning of the German Embryo Protection Act. After fusion of the pronuclei, they are referred to as zygotes.

Polar body

Component of a mature oocyte that is formed by the maturation division (meiosis). It contains the same genetic information as the oocyte.

Polar body diagnostics (PkD)

Method used to draw conclusions about the genetic status of the egg cell by analysing the polar body.

Progesterone

A hormone that is produced by the corpus luteum and prepares the lining of the uterus for the implantation of the embryo. During pregnancy, the hormone progesterone helps to maintain the pregnancy.

Prolactin

Hormone that is produced in the brain and triggers the flow of milk in the mammary glands.

Sterility

Infertility, which is assumed to occur when unprotected sexual intercourse does not result in pregnancy for over a year.

TESE

Testicular sperm extraction. By removing tissue from the testicles, sperm can be obtained in this way from men whose seminal fluid contains no sperm. These can be used to fertilise an egg through ICSI.

Zona pellucida

Envelope of the egg cell and the early embryonic stages. Before implantation (nidation), the embryos must hatch from the envelope.

Zygote

Fertilised egg cell after the fusion of the two pronuclei (pronuclei, see PN stages). A zygote is already legally considered an embryo within the meaning of the Embryo Protection Act.