Infertility Glossary: R-S
Description
This article is from the Health Articles series.
Infertility Glossary: R-S
Resistant Ovary
An ovary that cannot respond to the follicle-stimulating message sent by FSH. Primitive germ cells will be present in the ovary; however, they will not respond to FSH stimulation.
Retrograde Ejaculation
A male fertility problem that allows the sperm to travel into the bladder instead of out the opening of the penis due to a failure in the sphincter muscle at the base of the bladder.
Salpingectomy
Surgical removal of the fallopian tube.
Salpingolysis
Surgery performed to remove adhesions that restrict the movement and function of reproductive organs.
Salpingostomy/Fimbrioplasty
Surgical repair made to the fallopian tubes; a procedure used to open the fimbria.
Scrotum
The bag of skin and thin muscle surrounding the man's testicles.
Secondary Infertility
The inability of a couple to achieve a second pregnancy. This strict medical definition includes couples for whom the pregnancy did not go to term. The common vernacular, however, refers to a couple which has one biological child but is unable to conceive another.
Secondary Sex Characteristics
The physical qualities that distinguish man and woman, such as beard, large breasts, and deep voice. Formed under the stimulation of the sex hormones (testosterone or estrogen), these characteristics also identify those people who have gone through puberty (sexual maturity).
Semen Viscosity
The liquid flow or consistency of the semen.
Semen Analysis
A laboratory test used to assess semen quality:sperm quantity, concentration, morphology (form), and motility. In addition, it measures semen (fluid) volume and whether or not white blood cells are present, indicating an infection.
Semen
The fluid portion of the ejaculate consisting of secretions from the seminal vesicles, prostate gland, and several other glands in the male reproductive tract. The semen provides nourishment and protection for the sperm and a medium in which the sperm can travel to the woman's vagina. Semen may also refer to the entire ejaculate, including the sperm.
Seminal Vesicles
Glands in the male reproductive system which produce much of the semen volume, including fructose (sugar) for nourishing the sperm and a chemical that causes the semen to coagulate on entering the vagina.
Seminiferous Tubes
The testicular tubules in which the sperm mature and move toward the epididymis.
Septate uterus
A uterus divided into right and left halves by a wall of tissue (septum). Women with a septate uterus have an increased chance of early pregnancy loss.
Sertoli (Nurse) Cell
A testicular cell responsible for nurturing the spermatids (immature sperm). Secretes inhibin, a feedback hormone, which regulates FSH production by the pituitary gland. When stimulated by FSH, the Sertoli cell initiates spermatogenesis .
Sheehan's Syndrome
A condition caused by profuse hemorrhage at the time of delivery. The severe blood loss shocks the pituitary gland, which dies and becomes nonfunctional.
Serophene
Brand name for clomiphene citrate. (See Clomid.)
Sonogram (Ultrasound)
Use of high-frequency sound waves for creating an image of internal body parts. Used to detect and count follicle growth (and disappearance) in many fertility treatments. Also used to detect and monitor pregnancy.
Sperm
The microscopic cell that carries the male's genetic information to the female's egg; the male reproductive cell; the male gamete.
Sperm Agglutination
Sperm clumping caused by antibody reactionsor by infection.
Spermatogenesis
Sperm production in the testicles.
Sperm Bank
A place where sperm are kept frozen in liquid nitrogen for later use in artificial insemination.
Sperm Count
The number of sperm in ejaculate. Also called sperm concentration and given as the number of sperm per milliliter.
Sperm Maturation
A process during which the sperm grow and gain their ability to swim. Sperm take about ninety days to reach maturity.
Sperm Morphology
A semen analysis factor that indicates the number or percentage of sperm in the sample that appear to have been formed normally. Abnormal morphology includes sperm with kinked, doubled, or coiled tails. The higher the percentage of misshapen sperm, the less likely fertilization can take place.
Sperm Motility
The ability of sperm to swim. Poor motility means the sperm have a difficult time swimming toward their goal---the egg.
Sperm Penetration
The ability of the sperm to penetrate the egg so it can deposit the genetic material during fertilization.
Spinnbarkeit
The stretchability of cervical mucus; the stringy quality that occurs at midcycle under the influence of estrogen. See also Post Coital Test.
Split Ejaculate
A method used to concentrate the sperm for insemination; separating the semen into two portions: the first portion of the ejaculate, which is rich in sperm, and the second portion, which contains mostly seminal fluid.
Stein-Leventhal Disease
Another name for Polycystic Ovaries.
Sterility
An irreversible condition that prevents conception.
Stillbirth
The death of a fetus between the twentieth week of gestation and birth.
Superovulation
Stimulation of multiple ovulation with fertility drugs; also known as controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH).
Surrogate Mother
A woman who is artificially inseminated and carries to term a baby which will be raised by its genetic father and his partner.
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