Dictionary
Blastocyst
An embryo with appromimately 100 cells. Blastocysts consist of a fluid-filled centre sur- rounded by a wall of cells. A small group of cells on the inner side of the wall (‘the inner cell mass’) are those cells that will develop into the embryo. Embryos in the blastocyst stage hatch out of the surrounding ‘egg-shell’ (‘zona pellucida’) and begin to implant in the endometrium.
Chromosome
A part of the cell’s DNA. Contains a collection of genes.
Cleavage rate
The fraction of oocytes that develop into embryos.
Cumulus
The ‘cloud’ of supportive cells that surround the oocyte inside the follicle. The cumulus still surrounds the oocyte after the oocyte pick-up.
Embryo
A fertilised oocyte that has begun dividing.
Estradiol
Female sex hormone produced in the ovary. Stimulates growth of the endometrium.
ET
Embryo Transfer, transfer of embryos to the endometrial cavity.
Fertilisation rate
The fraction of oocytes that are fertilised
Fertility
The ability to become pregnant.
Follicle
A fluid-filled ‘pocket’ in the ovary that contains an oocyte.
Fragments
Small waste particles that may occur when the cells in an early embryo divide.
FSH
Follicle Stimulating Hormone. Stimulates the ovaries so they produce follicles/oocytes.
GnRH-agonist
Gonadotropin Releasing Hormone agonist or analogue. Hormones that prevents the pituitary gland from secreting FSH and LH. The key function is to prevent premature ovulation before the oocyte pick-up. Examples: Synarela®, Suprefact®, Suprecur®, Zoladex® and Decapeptyl®.
GnRH-antagonist
Gonadotropin Releasing Hormone antagonist. Hormones that prevent the pituitary gland from secreting its LH ovulation induction signal. The key function is to prevent premature ovulation before the oocyte pick-up. Examples: Cetrotide®, Orgalutran®.
Granulosa cells
The cells that constitutes the wall of a follicle in the ovary.
hCG
human Chorion Gonadotropin. A pregnancy hormone. Is very similar to LH and may be used to induce final oocyte maturation.
ICSI
IntraCytoplasmic Sperm Injection. Mikroinjection of a sperm cell into the oocyte.
Implantation rate
The proportion of embryos that implant in the endometrium and produce a gestational sac.
Incubator
A ’box’ where temperature, air composition and humidity can be kept constant and tightly controlled. It is used for culturing embryos in the laboratory.
IUI
IntraUterine Insemination, insemination in the womb.
IVF
In Vitro Fertilisation.
LH
Luteinising Hormone. Is important for follicle maturation and is the hormone that induces final oocyte maturation and ovulation.
Morula
An embryo with so many cells that it resembles a mulberry.
Nucleus
The central part of the cell that contains the cell’s genetic information.
OHSS
Ovarian HyperStimulation Syndrome
Oocyte
Egg-cell, approximately 0.12 mm in diameter.
Pregnancy rate Proportion af pregnancies per oocyte pick-up or embryo transfer.
Progesteron
A hormone that is produced in the ovary after ovulation. Progesterone is important for preparing the endometrium to recieve an early embryo.
Pronuclei
Early nuclei. Nuclear material in an egg cell. After fertilisation 2 pronuclei can be seen, one from the egg and one from the spermcell.
Scanning
Ultrasound scanning. In connection with fertility treatment ultrasound scans are almost always performed transvaginally.
Spermatozo
Sperm cell, approximately 5 μm in diameter.
TESA
Testiculær Sperm Aspiration. Aspiration of sperm cells directly from the testicles.
Zona pellucida
The ’shell’ (zona pellucida) surrounding the oocyte. It is within the boundary of this shell that the first cell divisions take place. When the embryo reaches the blastocyst stage the cells in the embryo ’hatch’ and break out of through the shell.
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