S.A.R.T.
Society for Assisted Reproductive Technologies affiliated with the American Society for Reproductive Medicine comprised of representatives from assisted reproduction technology programs that have demonstrated their ability to perform in vitro fertilization.

Salpingectomy
Surgical removal of the fallopian tubes.

Salpingitis
Inflammation of one or both fallopian tubes.

Salpingitis isthmica nodosa
An abnormal condition of the fallopian tube where it attaches to the uterus, characterized by nodules.

Salpingostomy
An incision in a fallopian tube, such as to remove an ectopic pregnancy.

Salpingotomy
An operation to open a blocked fallopian.

Scrotum
The sac containing the testicles, epididymis, and vas deferens.

Selective reduction
An intentional reduction in the number of fetuses in women with multifetal gestation.

Semen
The fluid containing sperm and secretions from the testicles, prostate, and seminal vesicles that is expelled during ejaculation.

Semen analysis
The study of fresh ejaculate under the microscope to count the number of sperm per milliliter or cubic centimeter, to check the shape and size of the sperm (morphology), and to note their ability to move (motility).

Seminal vesicles
The paired glands at the base of the bladder that produce seminal fluid and fructose.

Seminiferous tubules
In the testicles, the network of tubes where sperm are formed.

Septum
A wall that divides a cavity in half, such as a uterine septum.

Sertoli cells
The cells in the testicles that provide nourishment to the early sperm cells.

Sexually transmitted disease (STD)
A disease caused by an infectious agent transmitted during sex.

Sonohysterogram (SHG)
An ultrasound study of the uterus and fallopian tubes to assess physical structure. An SHG is usually required as part of preliminary testing before beginning the Donor/Recipient IVF cycle.

Sperm
Male gamete or reproductive cell.

Sperm bank
A place where sperm are kept frozen in lizuid nitrogen for later use in artificial insemination.

Sperm count
The number of sperm in the ejaculate (when given as the number of sperm per milliliter it is more accurately known as the sperm concentration or sperm density).

Sperm density
The number of sperm present per millileter of semen.

Sperm morphology
Shape or form of the sperm cells.

Sperm Motility
The ability of sperm to move and swim.

Sperm penetration assay (SPA)
See Hamster test.

Sperm viability
Whether or not the sperm are alive.

Sperm washing
A technique that separates the sperm from the seminal fluid in preparation for use in assisted reproduction.

Spermicide
An agent that kills sperm.

Spontaneous miscarriage
A pregnancy ending in miscarriage with or without an operative procedure.

Spontaneous reduction
An ultrasound-confirmed documentation of a reduction in the number of fetuses observed, be it a “vanishing twin” or a spontaneous loss of a single fetus.

Start date
The date on which the Donor/Recipient IVF cycle is commenced, following the successful synchronization of the menstrual cycles of the donor and recipient.

Sterilization
A surgical procedure (such as tubal ligation or vasectomy) designed to produce infertility.

Sterilization reversal
A surgical procedure used to undo a previous sterilization operation and restore fertility.

Strict morphology criteria
In the semen analysis, a strict criteria for the analysis includes the measurement of acrosome size, head width, tail length, etc., for determining the percent normal forms of sperm.

Subcutaneous injection (SC)
A short-needle injection of medication that is given into the tissue just beneath the skin layers. Common recommended sites for subcutaneous injections include the abdomen and upper thighs.

Superovulation
Stimulation of multiple ovulation with fertility drugs; also known as controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH).

Surrogate gestational carrier
A woman who gestates an embryo which is not genetically related to her, and then turns over the child to its genetic parents. Gestational surrogacy should be differentiated from conventional (or traditional) surrogacy in that the conventional surrogate pregnancy is the product of the gestational mother’s oocyte and the infertile couple’s husband’s sperm. Thus, the surrogate is expected to relinquish a child which is genetically partly hers. In gestational surrogacy, the embryo is the genetic product of both the egg and sperm of the infertile couple which is transferred to the uterus of the gestational carrier who has no genetic relationship to the offspring.

Surrogate mother
A woman who becomes artificially inseminated with a man’s sperm and carries the pregnancy for an infertile couple, who adopt the baby after its birth (the man being the biological father of the child).

Synchronization
The harmonization of the menstrual cycles of the donor and recipient, so that eggs may be retrieved from the donor at the same time that the recipient’s uterus is prepared to accept embryos at transfer.