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IVF
IVF (in vitro fertilization) A method of assisted reproduction that involves combining an egg with sperm in a laboratory dish. If the egg fertilizes and begins cell division, the resulting embryo is transferred into the woman's uterus where it will hopefully implant in the uterine lining and further develop. IVF may be performed in conjunction with medications that stimulate the ovaries to produce multiple eggs in order to increase the chances of successful fertilization and implantation. IVF bypasses the fallopian tubes and is often the treatment choice for women who have badly damaged or absent tubes.
RELATED TERMS--------------------------------------
Sperm
A sperm cell, or spermatozoon (pl. spermatozoa) (in Greek: sperm = semen and zoon = alive), is the haploid cell that is the male gamete. It is carried in fluid called semen, and is capable of fertilising an egg cell to form a zygote. A zygote can grow into a new organism, such as a human. Sperm cells contain half of the genetic information needed to create life. Generally, the sex of the offspring is determined by the sperm, through the chromosomal pair "XX" (for a female) or "XY" (for a male).
Dish
Diffuse Idiopathic Skeletal Hyperostosis. Florid new bone formation at entheses results in spinal stiffness. May be confused with ankylosing spondylitis. (Forestier's disease, Ankylosing hyperostosis)
Cell
Fundamental structural unit of all life. The cell consists primarily of an outer plasma membrane, which separates it from the environment; the genetic material (DNA), which encodes heritable information for the maintainance of life; and the cytoplasm, a heterogeneous assemblage of ions, molecules, and fluid.
Embryo
The early stages of development before an organism becomes self supporting.
Uterus
The uterus is a hollow, pear-shaped organ located in a woman's lower abdomen, between the bladder and the rectum, that sheds its lining each month during menstruation and in which a fertilized egg (ovum) becomes implanted and the fetus develops.
Ovaries
The paired female sex glands in the pelvis, located one on each side of the uterus. The ovaries produce eggs and hormones including estrogen, progesterone, and androgens.
Eggs
Animal reproductive bodies, or the contents thereof, used as food. The concept is differentiated from OVUM, the anatomic or physiologic entity.
Fertilization
The combining of the genetic material carried by sperm and egg to create an embryo. Normally occurs inside the fallopian tube (in vivo) but may also occur in a petri dish (in vitro).
Implantation
The process by which an embryo becomes attached to the inside of the uterus (7-14 days in humans).
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Incision
A cut made with a sharp instrument through the skin or other tissue.
Insulin
The hormone that drives incoming nutrients into cells for storage. Excess insulin is the primary pillar of aging.
Insulin-like Growth Factor (IGF)
The hormone released from the liver in response to growth hormone. IGF-1 is the hormone responsible for building muscle.
Insulin Resistance
A condition in which the cells no longer respond adequately to insulin. As a result, the body secretes more insulin into the bloodstream in an effort to reduce blood glucose levels.
Interstitial space
The space between the endothelial cells and target cells, such as the liver or the smooth muscle cells that line the vascular bed.
IVF
In vitro fertilization
IVF. A method of assisted reproduction that involves combining an egg with sperm in a laboratory dish. If the egg fertilizes and begins cell division, the resulting embryo is transferred into the woman's uterus where it will hopefully implant in the uterine lining and further develop. IVF may be performed in conjunction with medications that stimulate the ovaries to produce multiple eggs in order to increase the chances of successful fertilization and implantation. IVF bypasses the fallopian tubes and is often the treatment choice for women who have badly damaged or absent tubes.
Identical twins
Two offsprings born at the same time who look exactly alike. Identical twins are also called monozygotic twins because they develop from the same egg: a single fertilised egg splits early in development and becomes two separate fetuses.
Infectious disease
Disease caused by microbes that can be passed to or among humans. It occurs when cells or molecules in a person's body stop working properly, causing symptoms of illness. Many things can make someone more susceptible to disease, including altered genes, chemicals, aging, and infections.
Iron deficiency anemia
A type of hypochromic microcytic anemia caused by low or absent iron stores and serum iron concentration; there is elevated free erythrocyte porphyrin, low transferrin saturation, elevated transferrin, low serum ferritin, and low hemoglobin concentration. Symptoms may include pallor, angular stomatitis and other oral lesions, gastrointestinal complaints, retinal hemorrhages and exudates, and thinning and brittleness of the nails, occasionally leading to spoon nails.
Insulin-dependent diabetes
A condition in which the body's immune system destroys the cells in the pancreas that produce insulin. Insulin allows glucose to enter the cells of the body to provide energy. Persons with type 1 diabetes must take daily insulin injections.
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