(Pellucida):  The thick membrane that surrounds the egg.

(percutaneous epididymal sperm aspiration): The process of retrieving sperm from the epididymis of the males by placing a small needle through the skin of the scrotum.

(microscopic epididymal sperm aspiration): The process of retrieving sperm from the epididymis of the male through a small incision on the scrotum.

(in vitro fertilization)  Process where the egg and sperm are fertilized outside the woman’s body. The embryo is later transferred into the woman’s uterus or fallopian tube.

(intracytoplasmic sperm injection):  A micromanipulation technique where a single sperm is directly injected into the center of an egg.

The thick membrane that surrounds the egg.

Process of mixing a sperm sample with media and spinning the mixture. The process concentrates the sperm cells and enhances their mobility.

A new form of cryopreservation. This technique requires a fast cooling rate to go from a liquid to a glass-like state minimizing the formation of ice crystals.

A muscular, hollow, pear-shaped structure. An organ of the female for containing and nourishing the embryo and fetus.

Ultrasound-guided oocyte aspiration while under anesthesia (removing fluid from the follicle pocket containing the microscopic eggs).