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Glossary ­ Assisted Human Reproduction
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Glossary ­ Assisted Human Reproduction
The following are explanations of terms used on this website. These explanations are meant to be
guidelines only and are not formal definitions.
Assisted human reproduction (AHR)
Activities used to aid human reproduction. Examples of AHR include taking prescription
fertility drugs, in vitro fertilization, and donor insemination.
This term is often used in place of assisted reproductive technology (ART) or medically­
assisted reproduction. ART, however, usually means only those AHR procedures that require
handling of eggs, sperm or embryos in a specialized lab.
Chimera
An embryo that contains additional cells from (a) any non­human life form or (b) more than
one embryo, fetus or human being.
Cloning
The intentional creation of one or more genetically identical embryos for reproductive or
therapeutic purposes.
Cryopreservation
Freezing of eggs, sperm or embryos for storage. The reproductive materials can later be
thawed and used or donated.
Donor
A man or woman who donates their sperm, eggs, or embryos to another person or couple for
reproductive purposes. The term "donor" is also used to refer to someone who donates for
research purposes their sperm, eggs or excess in vitro embryos created for reproductive
purposes.
Donor insemination
The process of inseminating a woman with sperm from a third­party donor (someone other
than the woman's husband or partner) in order for her to get pregnant. The donor may be
anonymous or someone the woman knows.
Egg
Female reproductive or germ cell. See also ovum.
Egg donation
When a woman's eggs are retrieved and donated to a third party for reproductive or research
use. The Assisted Human Reproduction Act allows for altruistic (no payment) egg donation
only, no matter how the eggs will be used.
Embryo
A human organism during the first 8 weeks (56 days) of its development after fertilization or
creation, not including any interruptions such as cryopreservation, and includes (for purpose
of the Assisted Human Reproduction Act) any cell derived from such an organism that is
used for the purpose of creating a human being. (See also fetus.)
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Fertilization
Combination of an egg and a sperm to produce an embryo.
Fetus
In a human organism, the stage of development after an embryo which lasts from 57 days
after fertilization or creation, excluding any time during which its development is suspended,
and ending at birth. (See also embryo)
Gamete
The mature male or female reproductive cell (sperm or egg). Also referred to as human
reproductive material (HRM) or germ cells.
Gene therapy
The process of changing or putting new genetic material into a person. In somatic gene
therapy, this is done to treat or control a genetic disease, and the genetic changes do not
affect the germ­line cells and therefore are not passed on to children. Gene therapy resulting
in genetic changes that could be passed on to children, for example gene therapy in
embryos, is illegal under the Assisted Human Reproduction Act.
Genetics
The study of heredity and the ways in which inherited characteristics vary.
Genome
The complete DNA sequence of a particular cell.
Germ­line cells
The sequence of cells that develop into gametes (sperm or eggs).
Human reproductive material (HRM)
Sperm, eggs, or other human cell or human gene, and includes (for purpose of the Assisted
Human Reproduction Act) a part of any of them.
Hybrid
An egg or embryo that contains genetic or cellular material from both a human and a non­
human life form. Under the Assisted Human Reproduction Act, this includes: (1) fertilizing a
human egg with sperm from a non­human life form, (2) fertilizing an egg of a non­human life
form with human sperm, (3) replacing the nucleus of a human egg with the nucleus of a cell
of a non­human life form, (4) introducing the nucleus of a human cell into the egg of a non­
human life form, and (5) making either a human egg or an egg of a non­human life form that
has one copy of human DNA and one copy of DNA from a non­human life form.
Intra­cytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI)
An IVF treatment that involves injecting a single sperm into an egg with a microscopic
needle. This treatment is used, for example, when the male partner has few or poor quality
sperm.
Infertility
Not being able to get pregnant despite having frequent, unprotected sex for at least a year ­
­ or for at least six months if the woman is age 35 or older. Infertility may be due to a single
cause in either the woman or her partner, or a combination of factors that may prevent a
pregnancy from occurring or continuing.
Informed consent
Agreement given after information has been received and understood by a person; usually
provided in writing and signed by the consenting person.
Insemination
Placement of sperm in a woman's reproductive tract (vagina, uterus (womb) or Fallopian
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Glossary ­ Assisted Human Reproduction
tubes). This treatment is often combined with drugs that cause the ovaries to release eggs.
The sperm can come from the woman's spouse or partner, or from a third­party donor.
Intrauterine insemination (IUI)
Procedure in which sperm are injected directly into a woman's uterus (womb) through the
vagina.
In vitro embryo
An embryo that is created and developed outside a woman's body.
In vitro fertilization (IVF)
An assisted human reproduction technique in which fertilization happens outside a woman's
body. IVF is a process where a woman's eggs are exposed directly to sperm in a laboratory
dish so that the sperm are more likely to be able to fertilize the eggs.
In vivo embryo
An embryo that is within a woman's body.
Multiple birth
When two or more babies are born to the same woman at the same time.
Multiple pregnancy
A pregnancy in which more than one embryo or fetus develops in the womb at the same
time.
Oocyte
An immature egg cell, found in the ovaries. An ovum is a mature oocyte, and is usually
released during a woman's monthly ovulation cycle. Although the oocyte and the ovum are at
different stages of development, the two terms are often used in place of one another.
Ovaries
A woman's reproductive organs that produce eggs and female hormones, like estrogen.
Ovarian Tissue
Female germ cells and other reproductive cells which make up the ovaries.
Ovum
The female sex or germ cell. Ova is the plural. Other terms are egg(s), oocyte(s).
Pre­implantation genetic diagnosis (PGD)
Ways of testing in vitro embryos for specific genetic disorders (e.g. cystic fibrosis) before
they are transplanted to a woman's uterus (womb).
Psychosocial counselling
A service provided by a professional counsellor to a person, family or group to decrease
stress and improve well­being and coping skills. Counselling is often recommended in AHR
because of the issues and stresses that go with infertility, assisted reproduction, and the use
of donor reproductive material.
Reproductive endocrinology
A branch of medicine dealing with problems with reproduction.
Sex selection
Procedures that ensure and increase the chance that an embryo used in assisted human
reproduction will be of a chosen sex. Under the Assisted Human Reproduction Act, techniques
that ensure and increase the chances of an embryo being of a specific sex or that identify
the sex of an in vitro embryo are illegal except when they are used to prevent, diagnose or
treat a sex­linked disorder or disease.
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Somatic Cell Nuclear Transfer (SCNT)
A type of cloning where the nucleus from a somatic (non­germ) cell is transferred into an egg
from which the nucleus has been removed.
Sperm
Male reproductive or germ cell.
Sperm donation
A procedure in which a man donates his sperm to help a woman or couple to conceive a baby
or for research use. The Assisted Human Reproduction Act allows for altruistic (no payment)
sperm donation only, no matter how the sperm will be used.
Stem cell
A cell that can divide and develop into specialized cell types. Stem cells can come from
embryonic, fetal or adult sources.
Surrogacy
An arrangement in which a woman carries an embryo or fetus, conceived through an assisted
reproduction procedure, and surrenders the child at birth to another couple or person.
Surrogate mothers are also called gestational carriers.
There are two types of surrogacy: genetic (the egg of the surrogate mother is used) and
gestational (the egg of the surrogate mother is not used). Surrogacy may be altruistic (no
payment) or commercial (for payment); commercial surrogacy is illegal under the Assisted
Human Reproduction Act.
Testes
A man's reproductive organs that produce the male sex hormone testosterone and sperm.
Testicular Tissue
The combination of male germ cells and other reproductive cells that make up the testes.
Date Modified: 2013­07­18
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