Infertility Terms & Definitions
Candidiasis (Yeast): An infection that may be uncomfortable and itchy and may impair fertility.
Cannula: A hollow tube like that used for insemination.
Capacitation: A change in sperm which occurs as they travel through the female reproductive tract that enables the sperm to penetrate an egg. This change occurs after ejaculation while the sperm is in the female reproductive track.
Catheter: A hollow flexible tube used to aspirate or inject fluids.
CD56+: See Natural Killer Cells.
Centrifuge: A machine that separates materials with different densities by spinning them at high speed. Used in sperm washing.
Cervical Cerclage: A surgical procedure in which stitches (sutures) are put in the cervix to keep it closed tightly in an attempt to prevent miscarriage. Used for women with Incompetent Cervix.
:Cervical Mucus: A viscous fluid produced within the cervix which plugs the opening of the cervix preventing sperm and bacteria from entering the womb. However, at midcycle, under the influence of estrogen, the mucus becomes thin, watery, and stringy to allow sperm to pass into the womb. See also cervix.
Cervical Smear: A sample of the cervical mucus examined microscopically to assess the presence of estrogen (ferning) and white blood cells, indicating possible infection. :
Cervical Stenosis: A blockage of the cervical canal from a congenital defect or from complications of surgical procedures. See also cervix.
Cervicitis: An inflamation of the cervix.
Cervix: The opening between the uterus and the vagina. The cervix remains closed during pregnancy and dilates during labor and delivery to allow the baby to be born.
Cervix, Incompetent: See Incompetent Cervix.
Chemical Pregnancy: A pregnancy where hCG levels are detected, but the pregnancy is lost before a heartbeat is seen on an ultrasound. This is a very early miscarriage -- often before the woman misses a period.
Chlamydia: A common bacterial sexually transmitted disease that can lead to Pelvic Inflammatory Disease.
Chocolate Cyst: An ovarian cyst filled with old blood; endometrioma. Most commonly found when endometriosis attacks the ovary causing it to bleed and create the cysts. Frequently, patients with large endometriomas do not have any symptoms. If the cyst ruptures or the ovary containing the cyst twists, emergency surgery may be necessary. Usually treatment can be carried out through the laparoscope.
Chorionic Villae Sampling (CVS): An alternative to amniocentesis that can be done earlier in the pregnancy. It is a biopsy of the placenta that is used to check for genetic abnormalities in the fetus.:
Chromosome: The structures in the cell that carry the genetic material (genes: DNA). The human has forty-six chromosomes, twenty-three coming from the egg and twenty-three coming from the sperm.:
Chromosome Analysis: See Karyotyping. :
Chromotubation/Chromopertubation: This test is usually done in combination with a diagnostic laparoscopy. It involves injecting colored liquid through the fallopian tubes and watching the ends of the tubes for the dye. Spillage of dye indicates patent (open) tubes.
Cilia: The hair-like fibers lining the inside surface of the fallopian tubes. The waving action of the cilia help move the egg or embryo toward the uterus.
Cleavage: A cell division or series of cell divisions of the fertilized egg that results in the formation of the blastomeres and changes the single-celled zygote into a multicellular embryo.
Clomid: The most commonly prescribed fertility medication. Also known as Serophene and clomiphene citrate. Clomid is taken orally to stimulate ovulation through the release of gonadotropins from the pituitary gland. Studies have found a weak association between prolonged use and ovarian cancer.
Clomiphene Citrate: The most commonly prescribed fertility medication. Clomiphene citrate is taken orally to stimulate ovulation through the release of gonadotropins from the pituitary gland. Studies have found a weak association between prolonged use and ovarian cancer. Also known as Serophene and Clomid.
Clomiphene Citrate Challenge Test (CCCT, CCT): This test entails the oral (by mouth) administration of 100 milligrams of clomiphene citrate on menstrual cycle days 5-9. Blood levels of FSH are measured on cycle day 3 and again on cycle day 10. Elevated blood levels of FSH on cycle day 3 or cycle day 10 are associated with very low pregnancy. See "Clomid Use and Abuse."
Cloning: To create a genetically identical copy by growing cells in a laboratory.
Co-Culture: Used in IVF when living cells are added man-made matter.
COH: See Controlled Ovarian Hyperstimulation.
Colposcopy: Use of a scope to examine the cervix for abnormal cells.
Conception: The fertilization of an egg by sperm that leads to the creation of a new being.
Condom Therapy: Therapy prescribed to reduce the number of sperm antibodies in the woman by using a condom during intercourse for six months or more and by the woman refraining from all skin contact with the husband's sperm. The woman's antibody level may fall to levels that will not adversely affect the sperm.
Cone Biopsy: A surgical procedure used to remove precancerous cells from the cervix. The procedure may damage the cervix and thus disrupt normal mucus production or cause an incompetent cervix, which may open prematurely during pregnancy.
Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia: A congenital condition characterized by elevated androgens which suppress the pituitary gland and interfere with spermatogenesis or ovulation. Women may have ambiguous genitalia from the excess production of male hormone.
Congenital Defect: A birth defect, acquired during pregnancy but not necessarily hereditary.
Conization: Treatment for abnormal or precancerous cells on the cervix in which a cone-shaped section of the cervix is remove.
Continuing Infertile: Someone who has gone through primary infertility, successfully given birth, and is trying for another child.
Controlled Ovarian Hyperstimulation (COH): Using fertility medications to stimulate the growth of multiple follicles for ovulation. Also called Superovulation.
Corpus Luteum: The yellow-pigmented glandular structure that forms from the ovarian follicle following ovulation. The gland produces progesterone through the second half of the menstrual cycle and into early pregnancy, which prepares and supports the uterine lining for implantation. Progesterone also causes the half-degree or more basal temperature elevation noted after ovulation. If the corpus luteum functions poorly, the uterine lining may not support a pregnancy. If the egg is fertilized, a corpus luteum of pregnancy forms to maintain the endometrial bed and support the implanted embryo. A deficiency in the amount of progesterone produced (or the length of time it is produced) by the corpus luteum can mean the endometrium is unable to sustain a pregnancy. This is called Luteal Phase Defect (LPD).
COS: See Controlled Ovarian Hyperstimulation.
C-Peptide: Is the connecting piece between insulin molecules. The C-peptide level can be used to gauge insulin production in the body.
C-Reactive Protein (CRP): A plasma protein that can be a marker for inflammatory activity.
Crohn's Disease: An inflammatory disease of the small bowel.
Cryocautery: The removal of abnormal cells in the cervix by freezing.
Cryopreservation: A freezing process used to preserve and store unfertilized eggs, embryos, sperm and other types of tissue.
Cryptorchidism: When one or both testicles fail to descend into the scrotum.
Cul-de-sac: The space between the rectum and the uterus.
Cumulus Oophorus: The protective layer of cells surrounding the egg.
Cushing's Syndrome: A condition characterized by an overproduction of adrenal gland secretions. The person will suffer from high blood pressure and water retention as well as a number of other symptoms. A concurrent elevation of adrenal androgens will suppress pituitary output of LH and FSH and result in low sperm production or ovulatory failure. A woman may also develop male secondary sex characteristics, including abnormal hair growth. Cushing's Disease is another condition in which these same symptoms occur, but as the result of a pituitary tumor.
Cycle Day: The day of a woman's menstrual cycle. The first day (day 1) is when full flow starts before mid-afternoon.
Cytomegalovirus (CMV): A group of viruses that cause enlargement of cells of various organs. Infection in a fetus can cause jaundice, high-tone deafness, eye problems, malformation, or fetal death.
Cytoplasmic Transfer: An extension of in vitro fertilization which takes the genetic material from a mother's egg and combines it with the cytoplasma of a donor egg. Two methods of cytoplasm transfer were developed, one which transfers a small amount of cytoplasm by tiny needle from the donor to the recipient egg, the other transfers a larger amount of cytoplasm which is then fused to the recipient cytoplasm with electricity. See Cytoplasmic Transfer article.
