A - B - C - D - E - F - G - H - I - K - L - M - N - O - P - Q - R - S - T - U - V - X - Y - Z SA - See Semen Analysis. Salpingectomy - Surgical removal of the fallopian tubes. Salpingitis - An inflammation of one or both fallopian tubes. Salpingitis Isthmica Nodosa - An abnormal condition of the fallopian tube where it attaches to the uterus, characterized by nodules. Salpingolysis - Surgery performed to remove adhesions that restrict the movement and function of reproductive organs. Salpingo-oophorectomy - Surgical removal of the fallopian tubes and ovaries. Salpingostomy - A surgical incision made in a fallopian tube, as in to repair a tube or to remove an ectopic pregnancy. Scrotum - The bag of skin and thin muscle (sac) surrounding the man's testicles, epididymis, and vas deferens. 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 (or more) 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. Seminal Fluid - See Semen. 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 - Pair of pouchlike glands at the base of the bladder that 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 Tubules - The network of tubes in the testicles in which the sperm are formed, 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. Septum - A dividing wall within a body cavity, such as a wall dividing the uterus in half. Sexually Transmitted Disease - An infectious disease transmitted during sex. Serophene - Brand name for clomiphene citrate. (See Clomid.) SHG - See Sonohysterogram. Short Luteal Phase - See Luteal Phase Defect. Slow Responder - A woman who takes longer than average (10 days) to produce mature follicles on injectable fertility medications. Sonogram - 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. Sonohystogram - An ultrasound/sonogram in which saline is injected into the uterus. It is used to check for abnormalities. It has some similarity to a hysterosalpingogram in purpose, but does not require iodine dye injection or radiation. SPA - See Sperm Penetration Assay. 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. Spermatic Cord - The cord suspending the testes. It is composed of veins, arteries, lymphatics, nerves and the vas deferens. Spermatogenesis - Sperm production in the seminiferous tubules. 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 or sperm density 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. Sperm Washing - A laboratory technique for separating sperm from semen, and separating motile sperm from non-motile sperm, for use in assisted reproduction.. Spinnbarkeit - The stretchability of cervical mucus; the stringy quality that occurs at midcycle under the influence of estrogen. See also Postcoital 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. Spontaneous Miscarriage/Spontaneous Abortion - An unplanned end to a pregnancy during the first 20 weeks. See Abortion. Spotting - See Implantation Spotting STD - See Sexually Transmitted Disease. Sterility - An irreversible condition that prevents conception. Sterilization - A surgical procedure designed to cause infertility, such as a tubal ligation or vasectomy. Stillbirth - The death of a fetus between the twentieth week of gestation and birth. Superovulation - Using fertility medications to stimulate the growth of multiple follicles for ovulation. Also known as Controlled Ovarian Hyperstimulation (COH). Subzonal Insertion - A predecessor to ICSI where the zona pellucida is punctured and sperm inserted into the area between the zona and the egg. Having more than one sperm enter the egg is a potential problem with this procedure. Surrogate Mother - A woman who is artificially inseminated or undergoes an IVF procedure and carries to term a baby that will be adopted and raised by its genetic father and his partner. The term may be used for a woman who is the biological mother of the baby she is carrying, or for a woman who carries a fetus that is not genetically hers. SUZI - See Sub-zonal Insertion. Synarel - A synthetic hormone used to treat endometriosis or for regulation before or during a controlled ovarian hyperstimulation cylce. Synthetic - made through artificial means Back to top