Infertility Glossary: L-O
Description
This article is from the Health Articles series.
Infertility Glossary: L-O
Laparoscope
A small telescope that can be inserted into a hole in the abdominal wall for viewing the internal organs; the instrument used to perform a laparoscopy. Used to diagnose and treat a number of fertility problems including endometriosis, abdominal adhesions, and polycystic ovaries. Also used in egg retrieval for in vitro fertilization. Examination of the pelvic region by using a laparoscope is called a laparoscopy.
Laparotomy
Major abdominal surgery where reproductive organ abnormalities can be corrected and fertility restored, such as tubal repairs and the removal of adhesions.
Leydig Cell
The testicular cell that produces the male hormone testosterone. The Leydig cell is stimulated by LH from the pituitary gland.
Luteal Phase
Post-ovulatory phase of a woman's cycle. The corpus luteum produces progesterone, which cause the uterine lining to thicken to support the implantation and growth of the embryo.
Luteal Phase Defect (or deficiency) (LPD)
A condition that occurs when the uterine lining does not develop adequately because of inadequate progesterone stimulation; or because of the inability of the uterine lining to respond to progesterone stimulation. LPD may prevent embryonic implantation or cause an early abortion.
Luteinized Unruptured Follicle (LUF) Syndrome
A condition in which the follicle develops and changes into the corpus luteum without releasing the egg.
Luteinizing Hormone (LH)
A pituitary hormone that stimulates the gonads. In the man LH is necessary for spermatogenesis (Sertoli cell function) and for the production of testosterone (Leydig cell function). In the woman LH is necessary for the production of estrogen. When estrogen reaches a critical peak, the pituitary releases a surge of LH (the LH spike), which releases the egg from the follicle.
Luteinizing Hormone Surge (LH Surge)
The release of luteinizing hormone (LH) that causes release of a mature egg from the follicle. Ovulation test kits detect the sudden increase of LH, signaling that ovulation is about to occur (usually within 24-36 hours).
Maturation Arrest
A testicular condition in which at one stage of sperm production all sperm development halts throughout all testicular tubules. May result in oligospermia or azozoospermia.
Meiosis
The cell division, peculiar to reproductive cells, which allows genetic material to divide in half. Each new cell will contain twenty-three chromosomes. The spermatids (immature sperm) and ova (eggs) each contain twenty-three chromo-somes, so when they combine (fertilize), the baby will have a normal complement of forty-six.
Menorrhagia
Heavy or prolonged menstrual flow.
Metrodin (Pure FSH)
An injectable form of Follicle Stimulating Hormone used to stimulate ovulation.
Metrorrhagia
Menstrual spotting during the middle of the cycle.
Miscarriage
Spontaneous loss of an embryo or fetus from the womb. See Abortion.
Mitosis
The division of a cell into two identical cells in which all forty-six human chromosomes are duplicated; the first division of the germ cell.
Mittleschmerz
The discomfort felt on one side of the lower abdomen at the time of ovulation.
Mycoplasma
See Ureaplasma.
Oligmenorrhea
Infrequent menstrual periods.
Oligospermia
Having few sperm.
Ovarian Failure
The failure of the ovary to respond to FSH stimulation from the pituitary because of damage to or malformation of the ovary. Diagnosed by elevated FSH in the blood.
Ovarian Cyst
A fluid-filled sac inside the ovary. An ovarian cyst may be found in conjunction with ovulation disorders, tumors of the ovary, and endometriosis. See also Chocolate Cyst.
Ovulation Induction
Medical treatment performed to initiate ovulation. See also Clomiphene Citrate, Humegon, Pergonal.
Ovulation
The release of the egg (ovum) from the ovarian follicle.
Ovulatory Failure (Anovulation)
The failure to ovulate.
Ovum
The egg; the reproductive cell from the ovary; the female gamete; the sex cell that contains the woman's genetic information.
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