National Infertility Group Report January 2013

Appendix K Glossary

Assisted conception treatment (ACT)

The name for treatments that enable people to conceive by means other than sexual intercourse. Assisted conception treatments include intrauterine insemination (IUI), in vitro fertilisation (IVF), intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), donor insemination and egg donation.

Body mass index (BMI)

The measurement used to define the range of healthy weight. Your BMI is calculated by dividing your weight in kilograms by your height in metres squared (that is, your height in metres multiplied by itself).

Cryopreservation

The freezing of eggs, sperm and/or embryos that may be thawed for use in future IVF treatment cycles.

Cryostorage

The storage of frozen eggs, sperm and/or embryos that may be thawed for use in future IVF treatment cycles.

Donor insemination

The placing of donor sperm into a woman's womb.

Expert Advisory Group on Infertility Services in Scotland (EAGISS)

The Expert Advisory Group on Infertility Services in Scotland (EAGISS) was set up in 1988 by the Clinical Resource and Audit Group (CRAG) under the auspices of the Scottish Programme for Clinical Effectiveness in Reproductive Health (SPCERH). EAGISS developed a National Service Framework which aimed to provide equity of access and improve the overall quality and effectiveness of service.

Egg

The female reproductive cell. A woman usually produces one egg in a normal monthly cycle.

Egg collection

A procedure by which a woman's eggs are collected. Also known as egg retrieval.

Egg donation

The process by which a fertile woman donates her eggs for use in the treatment of other women or for use in research.

Embryo

A fertilised egg.

Embryo transfer

Transfer of one or two embryos into the womb as part of IVF.

Gametes

A mature sexual reproductive cell, a sperm or egg.

Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA)

The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority is the UK's independent regulator overseeing the use of gametes and embryos in fertility treatment and research.

In vitro fertilisation (IVF)

A technique by which eggs are collected from a woman and fertilised with a man's sperm outside the body. Usually one or two resulting embryos are then transferred to the womb. If one of them attaches successfully, it results in a pregnancy.

Insemination

A technique to place sperm into a woman's vagina or womb.

Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI)

A variation of IVF in which a single sperm is injected into an egg.

Intra-uterine insemination (IUI)

A technique to place sperm into a woman's womb through the cervix.

Multiple pregnancy

When a woman is pregnant with more than one baby at a time.

National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE)

NICE is an independent organisation responsible for providing national guidance on promoting good health and preventing and treating ill health.

Primary Care Trusts (PCT)

An NHS primary care trust (PCT) is a type of NHS trust, part of the National Health Service in England.

Sperm

The male reproductive cell produced by men, which fertilises a woman's eggs.