IVF ICSI Medical Glossary: Essential Fertility Abbreviations | LRC Fertility Clinic

Demystifying IVF & ICSI Medical Terms: Essential Acronyms for Expectant Parents
For individuals and couples navigating fertility challenges, terms like IVF, ICSI, and IUI are often familiar through general media. However, during your initial consultation at a fertility clinic or when reviewing diagnostic reports, you will likely encounter technical medical abbreviations that may seem unfamiliar. These specialized medical terms are used by reproductive endocrinologists and embryology lab specialists to communicate key stages of your treatment plan.
To help you better understand your treatment journey, plan each step with confidence, and communicate effectively with your medical team, LRC Fertility Clinic has compiled a comprehensive summary of the most common medical abbreviations used in Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART).
Summary of Common IVF & ICSI Medical Abbreviations
From initial fertility assessments and ovarian stimulation to embryo transfer, understanding these key medical abbreviations can clarify each step of your care:
- LMP (Last Menstrual Period) : The first day of your most recent menstrual period, used by clinicians to calculate ovulation cycles and schedule treatment protocols.
- TVS (Transvaginal Ultrasound) : A specialized pelvic ultrasound performed to evaluate the uterus and ovaries, as well as monitor ovarian follicle development.
- SA (Semen Analysis) : A comprehensive laboratory evaluation of semen quality, analyzing sperm concentration, motility, and morphology.
- OPU (Oocyte Pick-Up) : The clinical procedure of harvesting mature eggs from the ovaries for in vitro fertilization in the embryology laboratory.
- ET (Embryo Transfer) : The procedure of placing a fresh embryo directly into the uterine cavity.
- FET (Frozen Embryo Transfer) : The procedure of transferring a thawed, previously cryopreserved embryo into the uterus, which currently offers high clinical success rates.
- Blastocyst : An embryo that has developed for 5 to 6 days post-fertilization, characterized by advanced structural organization and optimal implantation potential.
- AFC (Antral Follicle Count) : An ultrasound measurement of resting follicles in the ovaries, used to assess ovarian reserve.
- SC (Subcutaneous) : A method of administering medication into the fatty layer just beneath the skin, commonly used for gonadotropin injections during ovarian stimulation.
You can explore and filter all medical terms by category using our interactive reference cards below.
Reference :
LRC Fertility Clinic IVF ICSI Medical Glossary: Essential Fertility Abbreviations | LRC Fertility Clinic
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