Abandoned cycle

Abruptio placenta

AI

Amenorrhoea

Amniocentesis

Amniotic fluid

Amniotic sac

Analgesia

Androgens

Andrologist

Anemia

Anencephaly

Anesthesia

Anomaly

Anovulation

Antibody

Antisperm antibodies

APGAR score

ART

Artificial insemination

Assisted hatching

Azoospermia

An IVF cycle cancelled after drug administration has begun and before egg collection.

The premature separation of a normally implanted placenta from the uterus. Severity of this condition varies. Symptoms of placental abruption include bleeding, cramping, and abdominal/uterine tenderness.

Artificial Insemination.

Absence of menstrual cycles for six months or longer.

A procedure that is usually carried out at approximately 15-16 weeks of pregnancy. It involves aspirating a small amount of amniotic fluid (fluid that surrounds the baby in the womb). This fluid contains cells from the baby that can be tested to analyze the baby's chromosomes. The procedure is usually performed under ultrasound scan using a fine needle. The risk of causing miscarriage by this procedure is between 0.5 - 1%. The results often take two to three weeks.
 
A colorless liquid that surrounds and cushions the fetus in its mother's womb, protecting the baby from outside pressure and providing a clean environment for growth.

Also called the "bag of waters" or "membranes," the amniotic sac the membrane surrounding the baby, and is otherwise filled with amniotic fluid.

One of various medications that alleviates pain, but does not offer a total loss of sensation. (See also Analgesia)

Male sex hormones that are present in both men and women but in different quantities and producing different effects.

A specialist in male infertility.

Low blood iron; hemoglobin level of less than 10.0 g/dL during pregnancy or a hematocrit of less than 30 percent during pregnancy.

Anencephaly is a neural tube defect: a disorder involving incomplete development of the brain, spinal cord, and/or their protective coverings. The neural tube is a narrow sheath that folds and closes between the 3rd and 4th weeks of pregnancy to form the brain and spinal cord of the embryo. Anencephaly occurs when the "cephalic" or head end of the neural tube fails to close, resulting in the absence of a major portion of the brain, skull, and scalp. Infants with this disorder are born without both a forebrain (the front part of the brain) and a cerebrum (the thinking and coordinating area of the brain). The remaining brain tissue is often exposed -- not covered by bone or skin.

One of various medications that provide a total loss of sensation to a particular area of the body, or renders a patient unconscious, in order to alleviate pain. (See also Analgesia)

Malformation or abnormality in any part of the baby.

Absence of ovulation (failure to ovulate).

A protein found in the blood that is produced in response to foreign substances (e.g. bacteria or viruses) invading the body. Antibodies protect the body from disease by binding to these organisms and destroying them.

Antibodies produced by the immune system against sperm. It adversely affects sperm function by inhibiting movement of sperm and fertilization. It can be present in males and females.

The APGAR score is a measurement of a newborn's response to birth and life outside the womb. Ratings are based on the following factors: Appearance (color); Pulse, Grimace (reflex), Activity and Respiration. A high score is 10 and the low end is 1.

Assisted Reproductive Technology. All treatments or procedures that involve the handling of human eggs and sperm for the purpose of establishing a pregnancy. Types of ART include IVF, GIFT, ZIFT, embryo cryopreservation, egg or embryo donation, and surrogate birth.

Placing sperm into the female reproductive tract.

Hatching: Cutting a "hole" in the "zona pellucida", from which the embryo will hatch after being transferred to the uterus. This procedure is considered for embryos with thick "zonas", or for patients around 40 years of age.

The complete absence of sperm in the ejaculate, is present in about 1% of all men and in 10-15% of infertile men.