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SALPINGECTOMY Surgical removal of the fallopian tube.

SALPINGOLYSIS Surgery performed to remove adhesions that restrict the movement and function of reproductive organs.

SALPINGOSTOMY/FIMBRIOPLASTY Surgical repair made to the fallopian tubes, a procedure used to open the fimbria.

SCROTUM The bag of skin and thin muscle surrounding the mans testicles.

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 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 oestrogen), 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.

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 womans vagina. Semen may also refer to the entire ejaculate, including the sperm.

SEMINAL VESICLES Glands in the male reproductive system which 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 TUBES The testicular tubules in which the sperm 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.

SERTOLI (NURSE) CELL A testicular cell responsible for nurturing the spermatids (immature sperm). Secretes inhibin, a feedback hormone, which regulates FSH production by the pituitary gland. When stimulated by FSH, the Sertoli cell initiates spermatogenesis .

SHEEHANS SYNDROME A condition caused by profuse hemorrhage at the time of delivery. The severe blood loss shocks the pituitary gland, which dies and becomes nonfunctional.

SONOGRAM (ULTRASOUND) 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.

SPERM The microscopic cell that carries the males genetic information to the females egg; the male reproductive cell; the male gamete.

SPERM AGGLUTINATION Sperm clumping caused by antibody reactions or by infection.

SPERMATOGENESIS Sperm production in the testicles.

SPERM COUNT The number of sperm in ejaculate. Also called sperm concentration and given as the number of sperm per millilitre.

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 fertilisation 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 fertilisation.

SPINNBARKEIT The stretchability of cervical mucus; the stringy quality that occurs at midcycle under the influence of oestrogen. 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.

STEIN LEVENTHAL DISEASE Another name for Polycystic Ovaries.

STERILITY An irreversible condition that prevents conception.

STILLBIRTH The death of a fetus between the twentieth week of gestation and birth.

SUPEROVULATION Stimulation of multiple ovulation with fertility drugs; also known as controlled ovarian hyperstimulation.