ABP
androgen-binding protein
ACTH
adrenocorticotrophic hormone (corticotrophin)
ADH
antidiuretic hormone
AFP
alpha-fetoprotein
AIDS
acquired immune deficiency (immunodeficiency) syndrome
AMH
anti Müllerian hormone, also known as Müllerian-inhibiting substance, MIS or Müllerian-inhibiting hormone, MIH
ANP
atrial natriuretic peptide
APC
antigen-presenting cell
ATP
adenosine triphosphate
AV
arteriovenous
AVN
atrioventricular node
BAT
brown adipose tissue
BMI
body mass index
BMR
basal metabolic rate
BPD
biparietal diameter
CaH
congenital adrenal hyperplasia
CAM
calcium-binding protein (calmodulin)
cAMP
cyclic adenosine monophosphate
CAP
contraction-associated protein
CBP
corticosteroid-binding protein
CCK
cholecystokinin
CCT
controlled cord traction
CD
cluster of differentiation
CDH
congenital dislocation of the hips
cGMP
cyclic guanosine monophosphate
CMV
cytomegalovirus
CNS
central nervous system
CoA
coenzyme A
COC
combined oral contraceptive
COX
cyclo-oxygenase
CRH
corticotrophin-releasing hormone
CRH-BP
corticotrophin-releasing hormone-binding protein
CRL
crown–rump length
CSF
cytostatic factor
CVS
chorionic villus sampling
D&C
dilatation and curettage
DHA
docosahexaenoic acid
DHEAS
dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate
5α-DHT
5α-dihydrotestosterone
DIC
disseminated intravascular coagulation
DIT
diet-induced thermogenesis
DNA
deoxyribonucleic acid
DVT
deep vein thrombosis
E1
oestrone
E2
oestradiol-17β
E3
oestriol
ECG
electrocardiogram
ED
erectile dysfunction
ED-PAF
embryo-derived platelet-activating factor
EDRF
endothelium-derived relaxing factor
EGF
epidermal growth factor
ER
endoplasmic reticulum
ERPC
evacuation of retained products of conception
FBM
fetal breathing movement
FGM
female genital mutilation
FHR
fetal heart rate
FHV
fetal heart variability
FIL
factor inhibitor of lactation
FISH
fluorescent in situ hybridization
FPU
fetal–placental unit
FSH
follicle-stimulating hormone
GALT
gut-associated lymphoid tissue
GFR
glomerular filtration rate
GH
growth hormone
GI
glycaemic index
GIFT
gamete intrafallopian transfer
GIP
gastric inhibitory peptide
GL
greatest length
GLUT
glucose-transport protein
GM-CSF
granulocyte–macrophage colony-stimulating factor
GnRH
gonadotrophin-releasing hormone
GP
general practitioner
Hb
haemoglobin
hCG
human chorionic gonadotrophin
HDL
high-density lipoprotein
HDNB
haemorrhagic disease of the newborn
HELLP
haemolysis, elevated liver enzymes and low platelet counts
HFEA
Human Fertilisation & Embryology Authority
HIV
human immunodeficiency virus
HLA
human leukocyte antigen
hMG
human menopausal gonadotrophin
HPA
hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal
hPL
human placental lactogen
HPV
human papillomavirus
HRT
hormone replacement therapy
ICSI
intracytoplasmic sperm injection
IDDM
insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus
Ig
immunoglobulin
IGF
insulin-like growth factor
IGF-BP
insulin-like growth factor binding protein
IL
interleukin
IU/i.u.
international units
IUGR
intrauterine growth retardation
IVF
in vitro fertilization
kDa
kilodalton
LBW
low birth weight
LC-PUFA
long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid
LDL
low-density lipoprotein
LH
luteinizing hormone
LHRH
luteinizing hormone releasing hormone
LIF
leukaemia-inhibitory factor
LSCS
lower-segment caesarean section
LUS
lower uterine segment
MCV
mean blood cell volume
MESA
microepidermal sperm aspiration
MHC
major histocompatibility complex
MIS
Müllerian-inhibiting substance (also known as Müllerian-inhibiting hormone, MIH)
MLCK
myosin light-chain kinase
mRNA
messenger ribonucleic acid
MRSA
methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus
MSH
melanocyte-stimulating hormone
MSU
midstream specimen of urine
mtDNA
mitochondrial DNA
NIDDM
non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus
NK cell
natural killer cell
NO
nitric oxide
NPN
non-protein nitrogen
NPU
net protein utilization
NPY
neuropeptide Y
NSAID
non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug
NSP
non-starch polysaccharide
NST
non-shivering thermogenesis
NT
nuchal translucency
NTD
neural tube defect
NVP
nausea and vomiting in pregnancy
PE
pulmonary embolism
PCOS
polycystic ovary syndrome
PDE
phosphodiesterase
PDZ
partial zona dissection
PESA
percutaneous epididymal sperm aspiration
PGC
primordial germ cell
PGD
preimplantation genetic diagnosis
PGH
placental growth hormone
PGDH
prostaglandin dehydrogenase
Pi
inorganic phosphate
PID
pelvic inflammatory disease
PKU
phenylketonuria
PLA2
phospholipase A2
PLC
phospholipase C
PMDD
premenstrual dysphoric disorder
PMS
premenstrual syndrome
PPH
postpartum haemorrhage
PRL
prolactin
PROM
premature rupture of the membranes
PSA
prostate specific antigen
PUFA
polyunsaturated fatty acid
RAS
renin–angiotensin system
RDI
recommended dietary intake
RDS
respiratory distress syndrome
REM
rapid eye movement
RER
rough endoplasmic reticulum
RNA
ribonucleic acid
rRNA
ribosomal ribonucleic acid
RSA
recurrent spontaneous abortion
SAN
sinoatrial node
SER
smooth endoplasmic reticulum
SGA
small for gestational age
sIg
surface immunoglobulin
SLE
systemic lupus erythematosus
SNP
single nucleotide polymorphism
SRY
sex determining region on the Y chromosome
STD
sexual transmitted disease
SUZI
subzonal sperm injection
T3
tri-iodothyronine
T4
thyroxine
TB
tuberculosis
TBG
thyroxin-binding globulin
TBP
thyroid-binding protein
TEF
thermic effect of food
TENS
transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation
TGF
transforming growth factor
Th cells
T helper cells
TNF
tumour necrosis factor
tRNA
transfer ribonucleic acid
TSH
thyroid-stimulating hormone
TxA2
thromboxane A2
U-LGL
uterine large granular leukocytes
UVR
ultraviolet radiation
UTI
urinary tract infection
VIP
vasoactive intestinal peptide
VLDL
very-low-density lipoprotein
WHI
Women's Health Initiative (studies on HRT)
ZIFT
zygote intrafallopian transfer
ZP
zona pellucida