GLOSSARY

A

acne - a hormonal metabolic inflammatory disease of the oil producing (sebaceous) skin glands, characterized by formation of pimples

adenoma - an epithelial tumor of glandular origin and structure that is usually benign or of low-grade malignancy

adrenal crises - acute adrenal insufficiency which is associated with life-threatening metabolic, hormonal disturbance

adrenal glands - two small endocrine glands, each located above a kidney. Each gland consists of the cortex, which secretes adrenocorticoid hormones, and the medulla, which secretes epinephrine

adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) - a hormone produced by the pituitary gland that stimulates the adrenal glands

aldosterone - An adrenocorticoid hormone that belongs to a class of hormones called mineralocorticoids. These hormones regulate the body's salt and water metabolism.

amenorrhea - cessation of menstruation

androgen - steroid hormones that develop and maintain masculine characteristics (male sex hormones)

antiandrogens - substances capable of negating the biologic effects of male sex hormones (androgens)

antidiuretic hormone (ADH) - a hormone that controls the ability of the kidney to concentrate urine and assist in the maintenance of the fluid and electrolyte balance in the body

Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) - a group of technical procedures developed to facilitate conception and establishment of pregnancy (e.g. IVF, GIFT, ICSI, IUI, etc.)

B

basal body temperatures (BBT) - body temperature obtained immediatelly after awakening after a night's sleep

birth control pills - female sex hormones administered to prevent pregnancy

C

cervical mucus - mucoid substance produced by the cells of the uterine cervix in response to estrogens

chronic adrenal insufficiency - A state when the adrenal glands do not produce enough cortisol and in some cases, aldosterone. In some instances due to destruction of the adrenal gland (Addison's Disease).

chronic thyroiditis - a chronic inflammation of the thyroid which appears to be a result of the body mistakenly identifying the thyroid as "foreign" tissue and trying to "reject" it

climacteric - the progressive decline in gonadal (ovarian or testicular) function that occurs with increasing age

cortex - the outer layer of an organ, as of the adrenal gland or the cerebrum

corticotropin (ACTH) - an anterior pituitary hormone which stimulates the adrenal glands

Corticotropin Releasing Hormone (CRH) - brain (hypothalamic) hormone which stimulates ACTH (adrenocorticotrophic hormone) production by the pituitary gland

cortisol (hydrocortisone) - the main adrenocorticoid hormone in the human

couple approach - dealing with both partners of a couple wich perceives as having fertility problems

cyst - a cavity filled with fluid

D

dehydroepiandrosterone -an intermediate steroid metabolite of adrenocorticoid hormones with androgenic activity

depression - despondency; melancholy; dejection

dexamethasone - synthetic glucocorticoid

diabetes insipidus - a condition caused by a deficiency of ADH (antidiuretic hormone) produced normally by the pituitary gland - a disease characterized by intense thirst and excessive urination, caused by a disorder of the pituitary gland

diabetes mellitus - "sugar diabetes"

E

endocrine gland - Any of the ductless glands, such as the thyroid or adrenal, the secretions of which pass directly into the blood stream from the cells of the gland

estrogen - A steroid female sex hormone produced primarily by the ovary. It is essential for the expression of feminine characteristics, of the functioning of the ovary and the uterus. It is also essential for normal functioning for most of the organs in the body, particularly the bone, the muscles and the brain.

F

fallopian tubes - a pair of slender ducts that connect the uterine cavity with the abdominal cavity in the female

follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) - a gonad stimulating hormone of the anterior pituitary gland that stimulates the growth of follicles in the ovary and the maturation of the germinal epithelium in the testes leading to formation of spermatazoa

G

glucocorticoids - Adrenocorticoid hormones (e.g. cortisol) essential for life. They regulate the metabolism and have anti-inflammatory activity.

goiter - an enlarged thyroid gland

gonadotropins - (FSH and LH) - pituitary hormones that stimulate growth and maturation of the gonads (ovaries and testes) and the secretion of sex hormones by the gonads

growth hormone (hGH) - a pituitary hormone involved in stimulation of growth and numerous metabolic functions of the organism

H

HCG - Human Chorionic Gonadotrophin - A hormone produced by the placenta (after birth)

hirsutism - excessive and abnormally distributed hair growth

hot flashes - abnormal sensation of heat and perspiration associated with vasomotor disturbances secondary to the loss of sex hormones

hyperandrogenism - clinical signs of excessive male hormone levels in a female

hypercalcemia - elevated blood calcium levels

hypergonadotropic - associated with excessive production of gonadotrophins by the pituitary gland

hyperparathyroidism - excessive production of the parathyroid hormone

hyperplasia - cellular overgrowth

hypocorticism - a state when the adrenal glands do not produce enough cortisol and in some cases, aldosterone (can be due to Addison's Disease)

hypogonadotropic - associated with diminished production of gonadotrophins by the pituitary gland

hypoparathyroidism - inadequate production of the parathyroid hormone

hypophysitis - inflammation of the pituitary gland

hypothalamic - of the part of the brain that lies below the thalamus, forming the major portion of the ventral region of the diencephalon, its functions are to regulate bodily temperature, the pituitary gland, certain metabolic processes, and various automatic activities

I

infertility - diminished fertility potential

impotence - inability to achieve adequate erection

L

laparoscopy - a surgical procedure which allows in a relatively simple fashion, using a tiny incision in the abdomen and specialised equipment, the laparascope, to examine the internal pelvic and abdominal organs and to carry out some surgical procedures

libido - sexual desire

lipid - fats

luteinizing hormone (LH) - a pituitary hormone involved in induction of ovulation, formation of corpus luteum and secretion of progesterone in the female and stimulation of testosterone production by the Leydig cells in the testes

M

male sex hormones - androgens

master gland - the pituitary gland

medulla - the inner core of a body structure, such as the adrenal gland

Melanocyte-Stimulating Hormone (MSH) - a melanotrophic hormone produced by the pituitary gland in tandem with ACTH. Its production increases in paralle with ACTH and it is responsible for the deposition of melanin in the skin.

menopause - The physiologic cessation of menstruation secondary to cessation of ovulatory activity. Menopause is an estrogen deficiency disease.

menstrual cycle - the period of time between the first day of menstruation and the first day of the subsequent menstrual period

methimazole (Tapazole) - antithyroid drug

mineralocorticoids - hormones produced by the adrenal cortex which regulate the water-electrolyte balance in the body

multinodular goiter - thyroid gland irregular in shape and "lumpy"

myxedema - profound hypothyroidism - a long standing hypothyroid state caused by decreased activity of the thyroid gland, and characterized by dry skin, swellings around the lips, nose and eyes, mental deterioration

N

neoplastic - exhibiting an abnormal cellular growth

nodule - a single lump - a localized swelling

O

osteoporosis - loss of bone mass associated with increased chance of fractures

ovaries - a pair of female reproductive glands that produce ova (eggs) and female sex hormones

ovulatory dysfunction - abnormality in maturation of ova in the ovary associated frequently with abnormal patterns of female sex hormone levels, abnormal menstruation, emotional disturbances and difficulties in conception

P

parathyroid - any of four small kidney-shaped glands that lie near the lateral lobes of the thyroid gland and secrete a hormone necessary for normal calcium and phosphorus metabolism

parathyroid adenoma - a benign tumor of the parathyroid gland usually secreting an excess of parathyroid hormone

parathyroid hormone - regulates the levels of calcium, phosphorus and magnesium in blood

phases of the menstrual cycle - The normal four weeks long menstrual cycle is composed of a two weeks proliferative phase followed by a secretory phase.

pituitary gland - a small oval endocrine gland attached to the base of the brain, the secretions of which control the other endocrine glands and influence growth and certain other metabolic processes

PMS - premenstrual syndrome

primary adrenal insufficiency - adrenal insufficientcy due to absence or direct defect in the function of the adrenal gland

progesterone - a steroid sex hormone produced primarily by the ovary after ovulation has occured. It is essential for normal cyclic functioning of the lining of the uterus

prolactin - a pituitary hormone that stimulates the secretion of milk by the breast

propylthiouracil (PTU) - antithyroid drug

R

rickets - a deficiency disease resulting from a lack of vitamin D or from insufficient exposure to sunlight, characterized by defective bone growth, and occurring chiefly in children

S

sebaceous glands - oil producing glands of the skin

secondary adrenal insufficiency - inadequate secretion of ACTH by the pituitary gland causing adrenal insufficiency

sex hormones - steroid hormones produced by the gonads of both, male and the female and capable of stimulating the growth and function of the accessory sex organs and having an influence on the psychologic aspects of sexual expression

simple goiter - thyroid gland enlarged diffusely

sterility - being unable to procreate because of some defect in the reproductive organs

steroid hormone - any of numerous naturally occurring, fat-soluble organic compounds having a 17-carbon-atom ring as a basis. They include numerous hormones (sex steroids, adrenal corticosteroids, etc.) as well as certain natural drugs such digitalis or precursors of certain vitamins.

T

Tapazole (methimazole) - antithyroid drug

testosterone - male sex hormone produced primarily in the male, but also in the female

thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) - a pituitary hormone responsible for stimulation the thyroid function (production of thyroid hormone, thyroxine)

thyroxine - the major hormone released by the thyroid gland

tumors - circumscribed, noninflammatory growth arising from existing tissue but growing independently of the normal rate or structural development of such tissue and serving no physiological function

U

uterine lining - The endometrium. Uterine lining growing under hormone control. It sloughs monthly during the menstrual period.

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