Fertility Dictionary: Common Terms Explained

Fertility care involves a lot of abbreviations and technical terms. This glossary explains what you will most often hear during consultations, tests, and treatment.

Hormones & Tests

AMH (Anti-Müllerian Hormone)

A blood test that reflects ovarian reserve — the approximate number of eggs remaining. It helps in treatment planning.

FSH (Follicle Stimulating Hormone)

A hormone that stimulates egg development in the ovaries. High levels may indicate reduced ovarian reserve.

LH (Luteinizing Hormone)

Hormone responsible for triggering ovulation.

AFC (Antral Follicle Count)

Ultrasound count of small follicles in the ovaries at the beginning of the cycle. Another measure of ovarian reserve.

TSH (Thyroid Stimulating Hormone)

A thyroid hormone test — thyroid imbalance can affect fertility.

DFI (DNA Fragmentation Index)

A test that measures sperm DNA quality. High levels may affect fertilization or embryo development.

HSG (Hysterosalpingography)

An X-ray test to check if the fallopian tubes are open.

Procedures & Lab Techniques

IUI (Intrauterine Insemination)

A procedure where processed sperm is placed directly inside the uterus around the time of ovulation.

IVF (In Vitro Fertilization)

Egg and sperm are fertilized in the laboratory, and the resulting embryo is transferred into the uterus.

ICSI (Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection)

A specialized IVF technique where a single sperm is injected directly into the egg.

ET (Embryo Transfer)

The step in IVF where the embryo is placed into the uterus.

OPU (Ovum Pick-Up)

The procedure during IVF where eggs are retrieved from the ovaries.

FET (Frozen Embryo Transfer)

Transfer of a previously frozen embryo in a later cycle.

ERA (Endometrial Receptivity Analysis)

A test to assess the best timing for embryo transfer.

PGT (Preimplantation Genetic Testing)

Genetic testing of embryos before transfer to screen for chromosomal abnormalities.

OHSS (Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome)

A potential complication of fertility medications causing ovarian enlargement and fluid accumulation.

Male Factor & Sperm Retrieval

Azoospermia

Absence of sperm in the semen sample. It may be due to production issues or blockage.

Oligospermia

Low sperm count.

Asthenospermia

Poor sperm motility (movement).

Teratospermia

Abnormal sperm morphology (shape).

TESE (Testicular Sperm Extraction)

A minor surgical procedure to retrieve sperm directly from the testicle.

PESA (Percutaneous Epididymal Sperm Aspiration)

A procedure to retrieve sperm from the epididymis in cases of obstruction.

TESA (Testicular Sperm Aspiration)

A needle-based procedure to collect sperm from the testicle.

Embryo Stage

Blastocyst

An embryo that has developed for 5–6 days before transfer in IVF.