|
Terminology |
Explanation |
| Ectopic
pregnancy |
The
implantation and development of a fertilised ovum outside
the uterus, usually in the fallopian tube. |
| Egg |
The gamete
produced by females during their monthly cycle. The egg is
also known as an oocyte or ovum. |
| Egg
collection |
Procedure
by which eggs are collected from the woman’s ovaries by
using an ultrasound guided needle, or by using a laparoscope
(an instrument used for looking into the abdomen) and a
needle. Also known as egg retrieval. |
| Egg
donation |
The
process by which a fertile woman donates her eggs to be used
in the treatment of others or for research. |
| Egg
retrieval |
See egg
collection. |
| Egg
sharing |
An
arrangement where a woman seeking IVF treatment undergoes
one cycle of treatment in which her eggs are recovered. She
then uses a proportion of these eggs in her own treatment
and donates the remaining eggs to another woman. The woman
donating her eggs receives a reduction in the cost of her
treatment. |
|
Ejaculation |
The
release of seminal fluid from the penis during male orgasm |
| Embryo |
A
fertilised egg that has the potential to develop into a
foetus |
| Embryo
biopsy |
The
removal and culture of one or two cells from an embryo in
vitro prior to genetic screening |
| Embryo
division |
The
splitting of an in vitro embryo at an early stage when each
section may continue development. This may produce multiple
copies of the single original embryo, and may be considered
a form of cloning – fission cloning |
| Embryo
freezing/ Embryo storage |
See
cryopreservation. |
| Embryo
transfer |
The
replacement of embryos back into the female patient |
|
Embryologist: |
A
scientist who creates, cultures and studies embryos in a
clinical or research laboratory |
| Emergency
contraception |
Post-coital contraception used as an emergency measure in
the form of special high-dose hormone pills or insertion of
an intra-uterine device, within a specified time following
unprotected intercourse. |
|
Endometriosis |
The growth
of endometrial tissue in areas other than the uterus, for
example the fallopian tubes or the ovaries. |
|
Endometrium |
The lining
of the womb or uterus |
| Epididymis |
A highly
convoluted tube about seven metres long that connects the
testes to the vas deferens. The sperm are moved along the
tube and are stored in the lower part until ejaculation.
|
| Estrogen |
Hormone
that stimulates secondary female sexual characteristics and
controls the course of the menstrual cycle. Also produced in
low quantities in males |
