Glossary

A

ART 

Assisted reproductive technology. All treatments or procedures that include the in vitro handling of both

human oocytes and sperm or embryos for the purpose of establishing a pregnancy. This includes, but is not limited to, in vitro fertilization and trans-cervical embryo transfer, gamete intrafallopian transfer, zygote

intrafallopian transfer, tubal embryo transfer, intracytoplasmatic sperm injection, gamete and embryo

cryopreservation, oocyte and embryo donation and gestational surrogacy. ART does NOT include treatments where only sperm are handled (e.g. IUI) or procedures in which a woman takes drugs only to stimulate egg production (e.g. HIO) without the intention of  having eggs retrieved. 
 
Artificial insemination

see Intrauterine Insemination.
 
Aspiration cycle

initiated ART cycle in which one or more follicles are punctured and aspirated irrespective of whether or not oocytes are retrieved.
 
Assisted hatching

an in vitro procedure in which the zona pellucida of an embryo (usually at 8-cell stage or a blastocyst) is perforated by chemical, mechanical or laser-assisted methods to assist separation of the blastocyst from the zona pellucida.
 
Assisted reproductive technology (ART)

All treatments or procedures that include the in vitro handling of both human oocytes and sperm or embryos for the purpose of establishing a pregnancy. This includes, but is not limited to, in vitro fertilization and trans-cervical embryo transfer, gamete intrafallopian transfer, zygote intrafallopian transfer, tubal embryo transfer, intracytoplasmatic sperm injection, gamete and embryo cryopreservation, oocyte and embryo donation and gestational surrogacy. ART does NOT include treatments where only sperm are handled (e.g. IUI) or procedures in which a woman takes drugs only to stimulate egg production (e.g. HIO) without the intention of  having eggs retrieved.

B

Birth defect Structural, functional or developmental abnormalities present at birth or later in life, due to

genetic or non-genetic factors acting before birth.
 
Blastocyst an embryo with a fluid-filled blastocele cavity (usually developing by five or six days after

fertilization).

C

Cancelled cycle

an ART cycle in which ovarian stimulation or monitoring has been carried out with the intent of undergoing ART but which did not proceed to follicular aspiration, or in the case of a thawed embryo, to transfer.
 
Chromosomal disorder

A chromosome disorder is caused by an alteration in the number or genetic structure of chromosomes. See also Trisomy  
 
Clinical abortion

an abortion of a clinical pregnancy which takes place between the diagnosis of pregnancy and 20 completed weeks' gestational age.
 
Clinical pregnancy

evidence of pregnancy by clinical or ultrasound parameters (ultrasound visualization of a gestational sac). It includes ectopic pregnancy. Multiple gestational sacs in one patient are counted as one

clinical pregnancy. Ultrasound is mostly carried out in week 7.
 
Clinical pregnancy rate

number of clinical pregnancies expressed per 100 initiated cycles, aspiration cycles, or embryo transfer cycles. When clinical pregnancy rates are given, the denominator (initiated, aspirated or embryo transfer cycles) must be specified.
 
COB

Controlled ovarian hyperstimulation. Medical treatment to induce the development of multiple ovarian follicles to obtain multiple oocytes at follicular aspiration. 
 
Controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COB)

Medical treatment to induce the development of multiple ovarian follicles to obtain multiple oocytes at follicular aspiration. 
 
Cryopreservation

freezing and storage of gametes, zygotes or embryos.
 
Cycle One

initiated treatment or procedure – from initiation of hormone treatment to positive pregnancy test or live birth. Both successful and non-successful (e.g. aborted cycles) are counted. Also if the initial hormone treatment is aborted and no oocytes are retieved.

D

Delivery rate

number of deliveries expressed per 100 initiated cycles, aspiration cycles or embryo transfer cycles.

When delivery rates are given, the denominator (initiated, aspirated or embryo transfer cycles) must be specified.

It includes deliveries that resulted in a live birth and/or stillbirth. The delivery of a singleton, twin, or other

multiple pregnancy is registered as one delivery. 

E

Early neonatal death

death occurring within the first seven days after delivery.
 
Ectopic pregnancy

a pregnancy in which implantation takes place outside the uterine cavity.
 
Egg implantation rate

Number of eggs attached to the wall of the uterus, measured against no. of retrieved eggs or transferred eggs  
 
Egg retrieval rate

Number of eggs retrieved from the woman (either with or without hormone treatment).
 
Egg retrieval rate

Number of eggs retrieved from the woman (either with or without hormone treatment)
 
Egg transfer rate

Number of viable eggs transferred into the uterus of the woman measured against no. of retrieved eggs. 
 
Embryo

product of conception from the time of fertilization to the end of the embryonic stage eight weeks after fertilization (the term "pre-embryo" or dividing conceptus has been replaced by embryo).
 
Embryo donation

the transfer of an embryo resulting from gametes that did not originate from the recipient and/or her partner.
 
Embryo Respirometry (ER)

Unisense proprietary technique for measuring the oxygen respiration rate of embryos. The measured respiration rate is used to select the most promising embryos for Embryo transfer. The respiration rate measurement requires that the embryo is temporarily transferred to an ER-device, which is placed in an ER-instrument for measurement. 
 
Embryo transfer (ET)

Procedure in which embryo(s) are placed in the uterus or fallopian tube.
 
Embryo transfer cycle

ART cycle in which one or more embryos are transferred into the uterus or fallopian tube.
 
ER Embryo Respirometry.

Unisense proprietary technique for measuring the oxygen respiration rate of embryos. The measured respiration rate is used to select the most promising embryos for Embryo transfer. The respiration rate measurement  requires that the embryo is temporarily transferred to an ER-device, which is placed in an ER-instrument for measurement. 
 
ER device

A holder for the embryo during respiration rate measurement. The polymer holder contains a media filled embryo chamber with a fluorescent sensor.
 
ER Instrument

Instrument to measure the oxygen respiration rate of an embryo placed in an ER device. The ER Instrument is a modified fluorescent plate reader with specialized software.
 
ET Embryo transfer

Procedure in which embryo(s) are placed in the uterus or fallopian tube.

F

Fallopian tube

Oviduct
 
Fertilization

the penetration of the ovum by the spermatozoon and fusion of genetic materials resulting in the development of a zygote.
 
FET = FER

Frozen embryo transfer. Transfer of a cryopreserved embryo to a patient. The cryopreserved embryos are surplus embryos from a previous IVF cycle or from an embryo/oocyte donor. The frozen embryo transfer does not require the strong hormonal over-stimulation used for oocyte retrieval.
 
Fetus

the product of conception starting from completion of embryonic development (at eight completed weeks after fertilization) until birth or abortion.
 
Frozen embryo transfer (FET) = Frozen Embryo Replacement (FER)

Transfer of a cryopreserved embryo to a patient. The cryopreserved embryos are surplus embryos from a previous IVF cycle or from an embryo/oocyte donor. The frozen embryo transfer does not require the strong hormonal over-stimulation used for oocyte retrieval.
 
Full-term birth

a birth that takes place at 37 or more completed weeks of gestational age. This includes both live births and stillbirths.

G

Gamete intrafallopian transfer (GIFT)

ART procedure in which both gametes (oocytes and sperm) are transferred to the fallopian tubes. 
 
Gestational age

age of an embryo or fetus calculated by adding 14 days (2 weeks) to the number of completed weeks since fertilization.
 
Gestational carrier

a woman in whom a pregnancy resulted from fertilization with third-party sperm and oocytes. She carries the pregnancy with the intention or agreement that the offspring will be parented by one or both of the persons that produced the gametes.
 
Gestational sac

a fluid-filled structure containing an embryo that develops early in pregnancy usually within the uterus.
 
GIFT  Gamete intrafallopian transfer.

ART procedure in which both gametes (oocytes and sperm) are transferred to the fallopian tubes. 

H

Hatching

the process that precedes implantation by which an embryo at the blastocyst stage separates from the zona pellucida. 
 
Hormone Induced Ovulation (HOI)

A procedure in which a woman takes drugs only to stimulate egg production possibly without the intention of  having eggs retrieved. Hormone induced ovulation is a part of the standard IVF procedure, but HOI by itself without egg retrieval is NOT considered an assisted reproductive technology (ART).
 
Host uterus

see gestational carrier.

I

ICSI Intracytoplasmatic (intracytoplasmic) sperm injection.

IVF procedure in which a single spermatozoon is injected through the zona pellucida into the oocyte. 
 
IFT  Infertility treatment.

Treatment for infertile couples to medically improve their chance of conceiving a child. Infertility treatments include Assisted Reproductive Technology such as In Vitro Fertilization as well as Intrauterine insemination and Hormone Induced Ovulation.
 
Implantation

the attachment and subsequent penetration by the zona-free blastocyst (usually in the endometrium) which starts five to seven days following fertilization.
 
In vitro fertilization (IVF)

An ART (assisted reproductive technology) procedure, which involves extracorporeal fertilization. In vitro fertilization (IVF) refers to a procedure in which eggs are taken from a woman’s ovaries and then fertilized with her partner’s or a donor’s sperm in the laboratory. The fertilized eggs, or embryos, then are transferred into the womb and the fetus is carried within the woman’s body until birth.
 
Infertility

failure to conceive after at least one year of unprotected coitus.
 
Infertility treatment (IFT)

Treatment for infertile couples to medically improve their chance of conceiving a child. Infertility treatments include Assisted Reproductive Technology such as In Vitro Fertilization as well as Intrauterine insemination and  Hormone Induced Ovulation.
 
Initiated cycles

ART treatment cycles in which the woman receives ovarian stimulation, or monitoring in the case of spontaneous cycles, irrespective of whether or not follicular aspiration is attempted. 
 
Intracytoplasmatic (intracytoplasmic) sperm injection (ICSI)

IVF procedure in which a single spermatozoon is injected through the zona pellucida into the oocyte.
 
Intrauterine insemination (IUI)

Injection of prepared (concentrated and “washed”) semen directly into the uterus. IUI treatments are infertility treatments, however, they are not included in the concept Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART)
 
IUI  Intrauterine insemination

Injection of prepared (concentrated and “washed”) semen directly into the uterus.

IUI treatments are infertility treatments, however, they are not included in the concept Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART).
 
IVF  In vitro fertilization

An ART procedure, which involves extracorporeal fertilization. In vitro fertilization (IVF) refers to a procedure in which eggs are taken from a woman’s ovaries and then fertilized with her partner’s or a donor’s sperm in the laboratory. The fertilized eggs, or embryos, then are transferred into the womb and the fetus is carried within the woman’s body until birth. 
 
IVF-ET In vitro fertilization

ART (assisted reproductive technology) procedure, which involves extracorporeal fertilization. In vitro fertilization (IVF) refers to a procedure in which eggs are taken from a woman’s ovaries and then fertilized with her partner’s or a donor’s sperm in the laboratory. The fertilized eggs, or embryos, then are transferred into the womb and the fetus is carried within the woman’s body until birth.     

L

Lifetime

The lifetime of an electrode is the expected operational lifetime for a given type of electrode. The stated lifetimes apply to continuous measurement under normal laboratory conditions in distilled water. The lifetime may be reduced due to mechanical damage, exposure to adverse conditions, reactive chemicals, extreme temperatures etc. The shelf life of some sensor types usually vastly exceed the operational lifetime if the sensor is stored according to our specifications
 
Live birth

a birth in which a fetus is delivered with signs of life after complete expulsion or extraction from its mother, beyond 20 completed weeks of gestational age. (Live births are counted as birth events, e.g. a twin or triplet live birth is counted as one birth event.)
 
Live-birth delivery rate

number of live-birth deliveries expressed per 100 initiated cycles, aspiration cycles or embryo transfer cycles. When delivery rates are given, the denominator (initiated, aspirated or embryo transfer (cycles) must be specified. It includes deliveries that resulted in at least one live birth. The delivery of a singleton, twin or other multiple birth is registered as one delivery.

M

Malformation rate

includes all structural, functional, genetic and chromosomal abnormalities identified in aborted tissue or diagnosed before or subsequent to birth. 
 
Medically assisted conception

conception brought about by noncoital conjunction of the gametes. Includes ART procedures and intrauterine, intra-cervical and intravaginal insemination with semen of husband/partner or donor.
 
MESA Microscopic epididymal sperm aspiration.

Procedure in which spermatozoa are obtained from the epididymis, by either aspiration or surgical excision.
 
Micromanipulation (also referred to as assisted fertilization)

the use of special micromanipulative technology that allows operative procedures to be performed on the oocyte, speno or embryo.
 
Microscopic epididymal sperm aspiration (MESA)

Procedure in which spermatozoa are obtained from the epididymis, by either aspiration or surgical excision.
 
Missed abortion
a clinical abortion where the products of conception are not expelled spontaneously from the uterus.

N

Neonatal death

death within 28 days of birth.
 
Newborns or infants born

the number of live births plus stillbirths.

O

Oocyte donation

an ART procedure performed with third-party oocytes. 

P

PGD Preimplantation genetic diagnosis.

Screening of cells from preimplantation embryos for the detection of genetic and/or chromosomal disorders before embryo transfer. 
 
Preclinical abortion

an abortion that takes place before clinical or ultrasound evidence of pregnancy.
 
Preclinical pregnancy

(biochemical pregnancy) evidence of conception based only on biochemical data in the serum or urine before ultrasound evidence of a gestational sac.
 
Pregnancy

Positive pregnancy test via test strip after seven days.
 
Preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD)

Screening of cells from preimplantation embryos for the detection of genetic and/or chromosomal disorders before embryo transfer. 
 
Preterm birth

a birth which takes place after at least 20, but less than 37, completed weeks of gestation. This includes both live births and stillbirths. Births are counted as birth events (e.g. a twin or triplet live birth is counted as one birth event). 

Q

Quadruplets

Number of births with four children

R

Recipient in an ART cycle

the woman who receives an oocyte or an embryo from another woman. 

S

Singleton (or simplex) Births with one child 
 
Spontaneous abortion

spontaneous loss of a clinical pregnancy before 20 completed weeks of gestation or, if gestational age is unknown, a weight of 500 g or less. 
 

Standard sensor

The standard microsensors available from Unisense have been designed with rapid response time and low stirring sensitivity. However, there is a tradeoff between these two. It is thus possible to produce faster electrodes (i.e. with low response time) with a somewhat higher stirring sensitivity. Fast versions of most electrodes are available as build-to-order for a small surcharge. Sensors with a reduced stirring sensitivity are also available
 
Stillbirth

a birth in which the fetus does not exhibit any signs of life when completely removed or expelled from the birth canal at or above 20 completed weeks of gestation. Stillbirths are counted as birth events (e.g. a twin or triplet stillbirth is counted as one birth event). 
 
Surrogate mother

see gestational carrier.

T

TESA Testicular sperm aspiration.

Procedure in which spermatozoa are obtained directly from the testicle, by either aspiration or surgical excision of testicular tissue. 
 
Testicular sperm aspiration (TESA)

procedure in which spermatozoa are obtained directly from the testicle, by either aspiration or surgical excision of testicular tissue. 
 
Triplex

Births with three children 
 
Trisomy

('three bodies') means the affected person has 47 chromosomes instead of 46. Down syndrome, Edward syndrome and Patau syndrome are the most common forms of trisomy. Children affected by trisomy usually have a range of birth defects, including delayed development and intellectual disabilities. However, most trisomy lead to preclinical abortion. It has been suggested that chromosomal disorders such as trisomy are the most common cause of failed implantation of transferred embryos.
 
Twins (or duplex)

Births with two children

Z

ZIFT

Zygote intrafallopian transfer. Procedure in which the zygote, in its pronuclear stage of development, is transferred into the fallopian tube. 
 
Zygote

the diploid cell, resulting from the fertilization of an oocyte by a spermatozoon, which subsequently develops into an embryo.
 
Zygote intrafallopian transfer (ZIFT)

procedure in which the zygote, in its pronuclear stage of development, is transferred into the fallopian tube.