Infertility Glossary: T
Description
This article is from the Health Articles series.
Infertility Glossary: T
Testicular Biopsy
A minor surgical procedure used to take a small sample of testicular tissue for microscopic examination; a test used to diagnose male fertility problems when no other means is available (this is because the biopsy procedure itself may cause testicular damage).
Testicular Stress Pattern
A semen analysis result showing depressed sperm production, poor sperm motility, and poor sperm morphology. The pattern is consistent with secondary testicular failure or illness.
Testicular Enzyme Defect
A congenital enzyme defect that prevents the testes from responding to hormonal stimulation. Will result in oligospermia or azozoospermia.
Testicular Feminization
An enzymatic defect that prevents a man from responding to the male hormone testosterone. The man will look like a woman, but karyotyping will reveal a normal XY male chromosome pattern, and testosterone levels will be in the normal male range.
Testicular Failure
Primary: A congenital, developmental, or genetic error resulting in a testicular malformation that prevents sperm production.
Secondary: Acquired testicular damage, for example, from drugs, prolonged exposure to toxic substances, or a varicocoele.
Testosterone
The male hormone responsible for the formation of secondary sex characteristics and for supporting the sex drive. Testosterone is also necessary for spermatogenesis.
Thyroid Gland
The endocrine gland in the front of the neck that produces thyroid hormones to regulate the body's metabolism.
Torsion
The twisting of the testis inside the scrotum. Besides causing extreme pain and swelling, the rotation twists off the blood supply and causes severe damage to the testicle. Torsion of the ovary may also occur in a woman suffering from hyperstimulation, a complication of ovulation induction treatment.
Tubocornual Anastomosis
Surgery performed to remove a blocked portion of the fallopian tube and to reconnect the tube to the uterus. Tubouterine implantation may also be performed to remove fallopian tube blockage near the uterus and reimplant the tube in the uterus.
Tubotubal Anastomosis
Surgery performed to remove a diseased portion of the fallopian tube and reconnect the two ends; sterilization reversal.
Turner's Syndrome
The most common genetic defect contributing to female fertility problems. The ovaries fail to form and appear as slender threads of atrophic ovarian tissue, referred to as streak ovaries. Karyotyping will reveal that this woman has only one female (X) chromosome instead of two.
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