Infertility Glossary: I-K

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This article is from the Health Articles series.

Infertility Glossary: I-K

ICSI-Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection

A procedure in which a single sperm is injected into an egg.

Immature Sperm (Germinal Cell)

A sperm that has not matured and gained the ability to swim. In the presence of illness or infection such sperm may appear in the semen in large numbers.

Implantation (Embryo)

The embedding of the embryo into tissue so it can establish contact with the mother's blood supply for nourishment. Implantation usually occurs in the lining of the uterus; however, in an ectopic pregnancy it may occur elsewhere in the body.

Impotence

The inability of the man to have an erection and toejaculate.

Infertility

The inability to conceive after a year of unprotected intercourse or the inability to carry a pregnancy to term.

Inhibin

A male feedback hormone made in the testicles to regulate FSH production by the pituitary gland.

Inhibin-F (Folliculostatin)

A female feedback hormone made in the ovary to regulate FSH production by the pituitary gland.

Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI)

A micromanipulation procedure where a single sperm is injected into the egg to enable fertilization with very low sperm counts or with non-motile sperm.

Intrauterine Insemination (IUI)

A relatively "low-tech" ART which deposits "washed" sperm directly into the uterus, bypassing cervical mucus and depositing the sperm more closely to the fallopian tubes, where fertilization occurs. Used to bypass hostile cervical mucus and to overcome sperm count and motility problems. See Artificial Insemination.

In Vitro Fertilization (IVF)

Literally means "in glass." Fertilization takes place outside the body in a small glass dish.

Kallman's Syndrome

A congenital hypothalamus dysfunction which has multiple symptoms including the failure to complete puberty.

Karyotyping

A test performed to analyze chromosomes for the presence of genetic defects.

Klinefelter's Syndrome

A genetic abnormality characterized by having one Y (male) and two X (female) chromosomes. May cause a fertility problem.

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