|
Terminology |
Explanation |
|
Secondary Infertility |
infertility in a woman who has had a previous
pregnancy |
|
Selective reduction |
The procedure in which one or more normal foetuses
in a multiple pregnancy resulting from assisted
conception are destroyed. The procedure may be
hazardous to the remaining foetus(es) |
|
Seminiferous tubules |
Very long and convoluted tubules which make up the
bulk of the testicles. It is here that sperm is
produced. |
|
Seminal fluid or semen |
The fluid (often called sperm), ejaculated from the
penis at orgasm, which contains the sperm cells. |
|
Seminal vesicles |
Two sacs that store semen, which open into the top
of the male urethra. |
|
Sex selection |
The sex of an embryo is determined using PGD, in
order to avoid sex-linked diseases |
|
Sexually transmitted disease (STD |
Any infection that is transmitted by sexual contact
or intercourse. |
|
Sperm |
The gamete (or mature male germ cell) produced by
the male, usually through ejaculation. Millions of
sperm are present in each ejaculate and roughly half
of these will carry X chromosomes, the other half
carrying Y chromosomes. A single sperm is called a
spermatozoon |
|
Sperm count |
The number of sperm in an ejaculate. Also called
sperm concentration and given as the number of sperm
per millilitre. |
|
Spermicide |
Sperm killing chemicals that are placed in the
vagina to prevent conception (usually added to
condom lubricants, so it is important not to use
these to collect sperm for artificial
insemination!). |
|
Sperm motility |
The ability of sperm to swim. Poor motility means
the sperm have a difficult time swimming toward the
egg. |
|
Sperm sorting |
The separation of sperm carrying X chromosomes from
those carrying Y chromosomes prior to fertilisation,
in order to determine the sex of the offspring. Used
for sex selection |
|
Spermatid |
An
immature sperm cell. |
|
Stem cell |
An
early cell type found in the embryo or foetus, able
to reproduce indefinitely and having the capacity to
develop (differentiate) into a large number of
different cell types. |
|
Sterilisation |
A
procedure which renders an individual permanently
sterile. |
|
Sterility |
An
irreversible condition that prevents conception |
|
Stillbirth |
The birth of a dead infant |
|
Stimulated Cycle |
A
treatment cycle in which stimulation drugs are used
to produce more eggs than usual in the woman's
monthly cycle |
|
Stimulation Drugs |
Drugs used to stimulate a woman's ovaries to produce
more eggs than usual in a monthly cycle; also known
as superovulatory drugs |
|
Sub Zonal Insemination (SUZI) |
A
technique whereby one or several sperm are injected
directly through the zona pellucida (outer layer) of
the oocyte. |
|
Superovulation/Stimulation |
The medical stimulation of the ovary with hormones
to induce the production of multiple egg-containing
follicles in a single menstrual cycle |
|
Surrogacy |
An
arrangement where one woman carries a child for
another couple either using Traditional (“straight”)
or Gestational (“full”, “host”) surrogacy |
|
Surrogate Mother |
A
woman who bears a child for another couple, either
using their embryos or the Intended Father’s sperm
and her egg. |
|
Syphilis |
an
S.T.D. caused by an organism called Treponema
pallidum. It can affect nearly any organ in the
body, mimicking many different diseases and unless
treated (usually by penicillin), can lead to heart
and brain disease. A baby born with this (congenital
syphilis) will have a range of health problems and
some mild deformities. |
