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Termination - The ending of a pregnancy by choice by induced labor (resulting in a live birth or stillbirth) or abortion. See Abortion.

TESA - See Testicular Sperm Aspiration.

TESE - See Testicular Sperm Extraction.

Testes - The two male sexual glands contained in the scrotum. They produce the male hormone testosterone and the male reproductive cells (sperm).

Testicle - The male gonad. It produces sperm and male sex hormones.

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 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 varicocoele.

Testicular Sperm Aspiration - A needle biopsy of the testicle used to obtain small amounts of sperm. A small incision is made in the scrotal skin and a spring loaded needle is fired through the testicle. Usually does not result in enough sperm to freeze for later use.

Testicular Sperm Extraction - An open biopsy where a small piece of testicular tissue is removed through a skin incision. The tissue is placed in culture media and separated into tiny pieces. Sperm are released from within the seminiferous tubules where they are produced and are then extracted from the surrounding testicular tissue. This procedure can be done using local anesthetic of IV sedation. It is possible to get enough sperm to freeze for future use.

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 Torsion - When testicle twists on itself, cutting off its own blood supply. Causes extreme pain, and requires immediate surgical repair to reduce damage to the testicle

Testosterone - The male hormone responsible for the formation of secondary sex characteristics and for supporting the sex drive. Testosterone is also necessary for spermatogenesis.

TET - See Tubal Embryo Transfer.

Therapeutic Abortion - A termination of a pregnancy sue to sever abnormalities in the fetus or where the mother's health is at risk. See Abortion.

Threatened Miscarriage - An incident in which certain symptoms such as vaginal bleeding or severe cramping, occur during the first half of pregnancy. The symptoms may stop or may progress to a miscarriage.

Tipped Uterus - When the uterus is tipped toward a woman's back instead of tilting forward as is more common. This alone should not be considered a cause of infertility.

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.

Toxin - A poison produced by a living organism (plant or animal), such as by some bacteria.

Transuterine Fallopian Transfer - The placement of an embryo inside the fallopian tube after in vitro fertilization. The transfer is made by threading a tube through the cervical canal and uterus and depositing the embryo into the fallopian tube. The process is meant to mimic the natural process of a fertilized embryo traveling down the tube and implanting in the uterus.

Transvaginal - Through the vagina or across its wall as in a surgical procedure

Transvaginal Ultrasound - An ultrasound examination performed by means of inserting a probe into the vagina. This type of ultrasound is common for viewing follicle growth This can produce better images in early pregnancy that could be obtained with conventional abdominal sonograms.

Triphasic - Having three phases. Used to describe a basal body temperature chart that shows three levels of temperatures: low temperatures before ovulation, a shift up of at least .4 degrees Fahrenheit after ovulation, and then another shift upward that may coincide with the implantation of an embryo.

Trophoblastic Disease - See Molar Pregnancy.

Tubal insemination - See Intratubal Insemination

Tubal Embryo Transfer - The placement of an embryo inside the fallopian tube after in vitro fertilization. The process is meant to mimic the natural process of a fertilized embryo traveling down the tube and implanting in the uterus.

Tubal Ligation - Surgical sterilization of a woman by obstructing or tying the fallopian tubes.

Tubal Patency - Open and unobstructed fallopian tubes.

Tubal Pregnancy - See Ectopic Pregnancy.

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.

Tuboplasty - Plastic or reconstructive surgery on the fallopian tubes in order to correct abnormalities which may lead to blockage or otherwise cause infertility.

Tubotubal Anastomosis - Surgery performed to remove a diseased portion of the fallopian tube and reconnect the two ends; sterilization reversal.

Tumor - An abnormal growth of tissue that can be benign or malignant (cancerous).

TUFT - See Transuterine Fallopian Transfer.

Turner's 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 or a mosaic (46XX and 45X).

TVOPU - Transvaginal ovum pick up. The procedure of collecting oocytes through the vaginal wall in a surgical procedure.

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