Welcome to the glossary aspect of the site. Here we
have included a list of all the terms that have been used in the site
with an accompanying definition or explanation.
| J
|
| K
|
| Karyotype |
A complete set of human chromosomes. |
| Klinefelter's syndrome |
A chromosomal abnormality affecting males caused
by the presence of an extra X chromosome. It is characterized by
small testes, enlarged breasts, and the absence of facial and body
hair. |
| L |
| Laparoscope |
A fibre optic telescope that is inserted through
the abdomen to examine the inside of the abdomen and pelvis. |
| Laparotomy |
A major abdominal surgery through a cut in the abdomen. |
| Leydig's cells |
Cells within the testes that produce the hormone
testosterone. |
| LH |
Luteinizing (luteinising) hormone, a pituitary hormone
that triggers ovulation and stimulates the corpus luteum to secrete
progesterone. In males, LH stimulates the Leydig's cells to produce
testosterone. |
| LH surge |
The rapid rise of luteinizing hormone that usually
occur in the middle of the cycle. It causes the follicle to release
a mature egg. |
| Liquefaction |
The process by which ejaculate turns from a jellylike
consistency to liquid. |
| Live birth rate per cycle |
The number of live births achieved from every 100-treatment
cycle commenced. |
| Luteal phase |
The second half of the menstrual cycle after ovulation. |
| Luteal phase defect |
A condition in which the endometrium (lining of the
womb) do not develop adequately for implantation, mainly because
of inadequate progesterone levels or due to inability of the endometrium
to respond to progesterone. In a small minority of women, the cause
can be attributed to hyperprolactinemia or abnormal thyroid gland
functions. It is characterized by a shorter than normal luteal phase
or one with a progesterone deficit. |
