A | B | C | D | E | F | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z

A

Artificial Insemination

Placing sperm cells into the cervix or uterus using a catheter for the purpose of achieving pregnancy.

C

​Cohort (of vitrified eggs)

A group of 6-8 eggs sold together in a batch.

Cytomegalovirus (CMV)

CMV testing detects current or past infection with the cytomegalovirus. In adults, this virus which is spread through contact with infected body fluids, generally causes a mild illness characterized by fever, sore throat and swollen glands. However, infection during pregnancy can result in stillbirth, impaired fetal mental capacity or hearing loss, and other serious problems. 

CMV Antibody Testing (CMV Ab IgG/IgM)

Antibody testing detects current or past infection with the cytomegalovirus (CMV). Semen culture testing and/or polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing detects an active infection. Only semen specimens from donors who test negative for the semen CMV culture or PCR, or who are IgM antibody negative for CMV are released for use. It is important to note that a positive ("reactive") serum antibody titer to CMV (CMV IgG) indicates only that the individual has been infected with the virus at some time in the past, not that he is infected at present. Unlike HIV, the vast majority of these CMV IgG Positive/Reactive individuals are not shedding CMV from any site and are not infectious.

Cryopreservation

Cooling and storing cells in a frozen state at a temperature which provides high survivability when thawed (-196°C for sperm cells).

Cryoprotectant Buffer

A chemical component of a freezing solution that protects the sperm cells by preventing changes in acidity during the cryopreservation process.

I

ICI (Intracervical Insemination)

Placing semen in the cervix using a catheter.

IUI (Intrauterine Insemination)

Placing washed sperm cells directly into the uterus.

L

Liquid Nitrogen

Nitrogen gas that has been cooled to the liquid state (-196°C) and used to cool and store cells in a frozen state.

S

Semen

The male ejaculate containing a mixture of seminal plasma and sperm cells.

Spermatozoa (Sperm)

The fully developed male reproductive cells.

V

Vial

A container used to package frozen sperm. It is sometimes referred to as a dose or a unit.

Vitrification

A method of rapidly freezing (cryopreserving) cells, including human eggs, with the addition of cryoprotectants.