T
TESTICULAR
BIOPSY
A minor surgical procedure used to take a small sample of
testicular tissue for microscopic examination; a test used
to diagnose male fertility problems when no other means
is available (this is because the biopsy procedure itself
may cause testicular damage).
TESTICULAR
STRESS PATTERN A semen analysis result showing depressed
sperm production, poor sperm motility, and poor sperm morphology.
The pattern is consistent with secondary testicular failure
or illness.
TESTICULAR
ENZYME DEFECT A congenital enzyme defect that prevents
the testes from responding to hormonal stimulation. Will
result in oligospermia or azoospermia.
TESTICULAR
FEMINIZATION An enzymatic defect that prevents a man
from responding to the male hormone testosterone. The man
will look like a woman, but karyotyping will reveal a normal
XY male chromosome pattern, and testosterone levels will
be in the normal male range.
TESTICULAR
FAILURE PRIMARY A congenital, developmental, or genetic
error resulting in a testicular malformation that prevents
sperm production. Secondary: Acquired testicular damage,
for example, from drugs, prolonged exposure to toxic substances,
or a varicocele.
TESTOSTERONE
The male hormone responsible for the formation of secondary
sex characteristics and for supporting the sex drive. Testosterone
is also necessary for spermatogenesis.
THYROID
GLAND The endocrine gland in the front of the neck that
produces thyroid hormones to regulate the bodys metabolism.
TORSION
The twisting of the testis inside the scrotum. Besides causing
extreme pain and swelling, the rotation twists off the blood
supply and causes severe damage to the testicle. Torsion
of the ovary may also occur in a woman suffering from hyperstimulation,
a complication of ovulation induction treatment.
TUBOCORNUAL
ANASTOMOSIS Surgery performed to remove a blocked portion
of the fallopian tube and to reconnect the tube to the uterus.
Tubouterine implantation may also be performed to remove
fallopian tube blockage near the uterus and reimplant the
tube in the uterus.
TUBOTUBAL
ANASTOMOSIS Surgery performed to remove a diseased portion
of the fallopian tube and reconnect the two ends; sterilization
reversal.
TURNERS
SYNDROME The most common genetic defect contributing
to female fertility problems. The ovaries fail to form and
appear as slender threads of atrophic ovarian tissue, referred
to as streak ovaries. Karyotyping will reveal that this
woman has only one female (X) chromosome instead of two.
