Curettage in which the contents of the early pregnant uterus are sucked out using a soft plastic catheter. Used in the treatment of miscarriage, in the treatment of hydatidiform mole, and to induce abortion.

A philosophical device for moving from what is to what ought. It bridges what philosophers call the naturalistic fallacy -- but not with the approval of some career philosophers.

A varicose vein in the scrotum, which in some cases can increase the temperature of the testis, causing oligospermia; more common on the left side than on the right (because the left testicular vein is longer and more likely to have incompetent valves). One of the few treatable causes of male infertility (the treatment is to tie off the vein), although not all sperm counts improve.

The long duct that transports sperm cells (spermatozoa) from the epididymis to the seminal vesicles. Can be missing from birth (congenital absence of the vasa deferentia) or blocked as a result of infection or intentional interruption (vasectomy). Plural: vasa deferentia.

(VEGF) A growth factor (or local hormone) needed for new blood vessels to form in, for example, the corpus luteum, as it turns into an efficient hormone-producing gland making and releasing progesterone about a week after ovulation. Because such new blood vessels are rather leaky, excess VEGF from multiple corpora lutea during ovulation induction or superovulation using gonadotropins can be associated with new blood vessels trying to form in the general peritoneal cavity, leakage of fluid from which causes fluid to build up in the abdomen, a potentially dangerous condition known as the ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome. VEGF is also important in the formation of the placenta, so mutations of VEGF or its target proteins can cause recurrent miscarriage.

Sterilisation operation in a man involving surgical interruption of each vas deferens in the upper part of the scrotum.

Vasectomy reversal, the operation for reversing a sterilisation operation (a vasectomy) in a man involving removal of the blocked part of each vas deferens, in the upper part of the scrotum, and joining by microsurgery one cut end or the vas to the other cut end. Generally not as successful at returning fertility as the equivalent operation in women (tubal anastomosis): the development of sperm antibodies increases with the length of time since sterilisation and limits the effective sperm count after the reversal. Many clinics now carry out cryostorage of some sperm obtained at vasectomy reversal so that if pregnancy does not happen, or azoospermia persists, in vitro fertilisation (IVF) can be carried out with ICSI without requiring a later operation (for MESA) on the man. MESA with ICSI and IVF can be used as an alternative to vasovasostomy.

Plural: villi.