Glossary of terms used on this site
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| Term |
Definition |
| Egg |
An egg is the female gamete (cell bearing genetic information). Eggs are released from the ovaries into the fallopian tubes during the menstrual cycle. One cause of infertility in women is the failure to ovulate (release eggs) regularly.
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| Embryo |
A fertilized egg in the initial stages of growth up to the eighth week of a pregnancy. Eggs that are fertilized in vitro (IVF) are implanted in the uterus during either the zygote or blastocyst stage.
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| Embryo Freezing |
Also called cryopreservation, this is a method used to preserve embryo for later implantation. It is also used to preserve gametes and zygotes.
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| Embryology |
Embryology focuses on the study of the embryo from fertilization throughout the first eight weeks of the embryos development.
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| Endometriosis |
In women suffering from endometriosis, tissue from the uterine lining (endometrium) grows outside of the uterus. When the superficial part of this tissue is shed during a menstrual cycle, blood and tissue collect in the abdominal cavity. Endometriosis can be a cause of infertility.
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| Endometrium |
The mucous membrane that lines the uterus. During the menstrual cycle, the endometrium grows blood-rich tissue that either provides nutrients for an embryo or is shed if the cycle continues without implantation of an embryo.
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| Epididymis |
Sperm mature and are stored in the epididymis, a highly convoluted tubule that is the central passageway from the testicles to the penis. Blockage or narrowing of the epididymis can be a cause of infertility.
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| Estrogen |
Estrogen is a female sex hormone, produced by the ovaries, that stimulates the maturation of eggs and prepares the endometrium for egg implantation.
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