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IBT - See Immunobead Binding Test.

ICI - See Intracervical Insemination.

ICSI - See Intra-cytoplasmic Sperm Injection.

Idiopathic (Unexplained) Infertility - When no cause for infertility can be found after substantial testing.

IM - See Intramuscular.

Immature Sperm (Germinal Cell) - A sperm that has not matured and gained the ability to swim. In the presence of illness or infection such sperm may appear in the semen in large numbers.

Immune System - The body's defense mechanism against any injury or invasion by a foreign substance or organism.

Immunobead Binding Test - Used to detect antisperm antibodies.

Implantation (Embryo) - The embedding of the embryo into tissue so it can establish contact with the mother's blood supply for nourishment. Implantation usually occurs in the lining of the uterus 5-10 days after ovulation; however, in an ectopic pregnancy it may occur elsewhere in the body.

Implantation Failure - Inability of the fertilized egg to properly implant in the uterinelining.

Implantation Spotting - Bleeding associated with an embryo implanting into the endometrium around 5-10 days after ovulation. It is not uncommon, but it is not the norm.

Impotence - The inability of the man to achieve or maintain an erection and to ejaculate due to physical or emotional problems, or a combination thereof. This is not the same thing as being sterile.

Incompetant Cervix - A weakened cervix which opens prematurely during pregnancy and can cause the loss of the fetus. A cervical cerclage is a procedure in which a stitch or two is put around the cervix to prevent its opening until removed when the pregnancy is at term.

Incomplete Abortion - A miscarriage where some tissue has bassed but some remains in the uterus.

Infection - the state or condition in which the body or a part of it is invaded by pathogenic agent (microorganism or virus) that under favorable conditions multiply or produces injurious effects.

Infertility (IF) - The inability to conceive after a year of unprotected intercourse in women under 35, or after six months in women over 35, or the inability to carry a pregnancy to term. Also included are diagnosed problems such as anovulation, tubal blockage, low sperm count, etc.

Inflammation - Swelling, redness, heat and pain caused by injury such as infection.

Intracervical Insemination - Artificial insemination where the sperm is deposited into the cervical canal. See Artificial Insemination.

Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection - A procedure in which a single sperm is injected into the egg to enable fertilization with very low sperm counts or with non-motile sperm.

Intramuscular - An intramuscular medication is given by needle into the muscle. This is as opposed to a medication that is given by a needle, for example, into the skin (intradermal) or just below the skin (subcutaneous) or into a vein (intravenous).

Intratubal Insemination - Artificial insemination where washed sperm is deposited into the fallopian tubes. See Artificial Insemination.

Intrauterine Insemination - A relatively "low-tech" ART which deposits washed sperm directly into the uterus, bypassing cervical mucus and depositing the sperm more closely to the fallopian tubes, where fertilization occurs. Used to bypass hostile cervical mucus and to overcome sperm count and motility problems. See Artificial Insemination. See Dr. Sherbahn's article on IUI

In Vitro Fertilization - Literally means "in glass." Fertilization takes place outside the body in a small glass dish. See IVF fact sheet.

IUI - See Intra-uterine Insemination.

IVF - See In Vitro Fertilization.

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