Glossary of Terms

An egg provided by a woman (egg donor) to be used in an IVF cycle for individuals or couples who cannot conceive using their own eggs. The donor egg is fertilized with sperm in the laboratory, and resulting embryos are transferred to the recipient's uterus.

Sperm provided by a sperm donor to be used in assisted reproductive procedures such as IVF or intrauterine insemination (IUI) for individuals or couples who require donor sperm to achieve pregnancy.

The process of freezing and storing embryos created during IVF for future use. Frozen embryos can be thawed and transferred to the uterus during a subsequent IVF cycle.

The window of time during a woman's menstrual cycle when the endometrium (uterine lining) is most receptive to embryo implantation. Timing embryo transfer to coincide with optimal endometrial receptivity can improve the chances of successful implantation and pregnancy.

The process of preserving fertility for individuals or couples who may wish to conceive children in the future. Fertility preservation techniques include egg freezing, embryo cryopreservation, and sperm banking.

Eggs that are retrieved from a woman's ovaries during an IVF cycle and used immediately for fertilization.

Eggs that have been retrieved from a woman's ovaries during an IVF cycle and cryopreserved (frozen) for future use. Frozen eggs can be thawed and fertilized later for embryo transfer.

A type of surrogacy where the surrogate (gestational carrier) carries an embryo created using the intended parent's or donor's gametes. The surrogate has no genetic relationship with the child she carries.

The use of fertility medications to stimulate ovulation in women who have irregular or absent menstrual cycles, or who are undergoing fertility treatments such as IVF or IUI.

A medical doctor specializing in reproductive medicine who diagnoses and treats infertility and other reproductive disorders. Reproductive endocrinologists often oversee IVF cycles and other assisted reproductive technologies.

The process of collecting and cryopreserving (freezing) sperm for future use in assisted reproductive procedures, such as IVF or artificial insemination. Sperm banking is often used by individuals facing fertility-threatening medical treatments or procedures, such as chemotherapy or vasectomy.

A woman who carries a pregnancy for another individual or couple and may also provide the egg used in the IVF process (traditional surrogacy) or carry an embryo created using the intended parent's or donor's gametes (gestational surrogacy).

Another term for a child conceived through the process of In Vitro Fertilization (IVF). This involves fertilizing an egg with sperm outside the woman's body in a laboratory dish before transferring the resulting embryo to the woman's uterus for implantation and pregnancy.

A type of surrogacy where the surrogate provides both the egg and carries out the pregnancy.

A laboratory technique used during IVF in which a small hole is made in the zona pellucida (outer layer) of the embryo to aid in its implantation in the uterine lining.

This is an embryo that develops for about five to six days after fertilization. Blastocyst transfer is a technique where a more developed embryo is transferred to the uterus during IVF.

The early stage of development after fertilization of an egg by sperm, typically lasting up to around eight weeks.

A laboratory technique used during IVF where a single sperm is injected directly into an egg to facilitate fertilization, often used in cases of male infertility.

Laboratory testing to evaluate the quantity and quality of sperm in a semen sample, often performed as part of infertility evaluation.

An injection of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) hormone used to induce ovulation in IVF cycles, typically administered when the follicles are mature.

The single-cell embryo formed by the fusion of a sperm and an egg during fertilization. It marks the beginning of embryonic development.

The outer layer of an egg or embryo, which protects and facilitates fertilization. Techniques such as assisted hatching involve manipulation of the zona pellucida.

A laboratory technique used during IVF in which a small hole is made in the zona pellucida (outer layer) of the embryo to aid in its implantation in the uterine lining

This is an embryo that develops for about five to six days after fertilization. Blastocyst transfer is a technique where a more developed embryo is transferred to the uterus during IVF.

The process of retrieving mature eggs from the woman's ovaries during an IVF cycle using a thin needle under ultrasound guidance.

The early stage of development after fertilization of an egg by sperm, typically lasting up to around eight weeks.

The procedure during IVF where one or more embryos are transferred into the woman's uterus to facilitate pregnancy.

Hormonal medications used during fertility treatments to stimulate the ovaries to produce multiple eggs.

A woman who carries a pregnancy for another individual or couple using an embryo created through IVF, but who is not genetically related to the embryo.

A laboratory technique used during IVF where a single sperm is injected directly into an egg to facilitate fertilization, often used in cases of male infertility.

The process of using fertility medications to stimulate the ovaries to produce multiple eggs during an IVF cycle.

A technique used during IVF to screen embryos for genetic abnormalities before transfer, including gender selection, chromosomal abnormalities, or specific genetic disorders.

Laboratory testing to evaluate the quantity and quality of sperm in a semen sample, often performed as part of infertility evaluation.

A woman who carries a pregnancy for another individual or couple and may also provide the egg used in the IVF process (traditional surrogacy) or carry an embryo created using the intended parent's or donor's gametes (gestational surrogacy).