This 1987 ORPRC Symposium on Primate Reproductive Biology, the third in a series, marked the twenty-fifth anniversary of the Oregon Regional Primate Research Center (ORPRC). In organizing these symposia, we have emphasized the dedication of many ORPRC staff members to research with nonhuman primates as models for human reproduction. The first symposium in this series, organized by William Montagna, was held in May 1981. Appropriately for a beginning series, its topic was fetal endocrinology. The subject of this year's symposium was the primate ovary, and, as in the past, scientists from around the world, including Sweden, Scotland, England, West Germany, and India met in Beaverton, Oregon, to exchange ideas and information on this important "aspect of reproduction. The international scope of the symposium reflects our belief that both the problems and their solutions extend beyond national boundaries. Many of the nonhuman primates that we rely on as models are endangered as civilization, through population pressure, encroaches on their natural habitats. Without a deeper understanding of how primate reproduction is regulated, and without the control over human population that such an understanding can bring, the quality of life for all primate species may well become substantially diminished. Consequently, we dedicate these symposia to the thesis that a deeper understanding of primate reproductive biology will ultimately improve all primate life. Robert M. Brenner Charles H. Phoenix vii PREFACE Today there is renewed interest in the processes controlling the gametogenic and endocrine functions of the ovary.

Those who are familiar with the two volumes of The Year in Endocrinology may, at first glance, fail to recognize their relationship to the present volume, Contemporary Endocrinology. The name is different and the cover design different, but nonetheless the admonition against judging a book by its cover is very well taken in this instance. In fact, Contemporary Endocrinology is not only the direct linear descendant of The Year in Endocrinology, it is a purposeful clone thereof-the topics are unchanged, the talented group of authors is unchanged, and most importantly, both the objective of the work and the manner in which that objective is approached are unchanged. The objective is, of course, to assist the reader in maintaining currency with respect to important developments, both basic and clinical, in the major areas of endocrinology. We are all much too familiar, unfortunately, with the difficulty of maintaining currency these days. Our approach to dealing with the informational inflation that we are suffering is similar to that used by economists in dealing with monetary inflation, that is, to increase interest. This we have attempted to do by providing for the reader an easy-to-read group of essays in which advances in individual areas of endocrinology are re viewed broadly, synthesized, and placed into perspective by a group of authors who are authorities in their individual fields. They serve, not as guest artists, but as members of a stable Editorial Board that provides continuity by contributing to successive volumes."

Biological order in all living creatures is a fascinating phenomenon. Biochemical reactions and biophysical processes including enormous amount of various entities and structures are coordinated in space and time resulting in highly organized dynamic system with self control. The book consists of analysis of biophysical mechanism of long range interactions based on polar vibrations in microtubules and in actin filaments in cytoskeleton, spectral energy transfer in non-linear systems, excitation of a state far from the thermodynamic equilibrium in systems with energy supply, transition from incoherent to coherent vibration states, generation of endogenous electromagnetic field, information transfer between vibration systems, and interaction energy of vibration systems. The Frohlich vibration system is used."

Since 1948, the date of publication of Hormones and Behavior by Dr. Frank Beach, this hybrid area has received a great deal of attention from scientists representing various allied fields. As a result, the data and publications dealing with hormones and be havior have increased geometrically and on an annual basis. More recently, a number of review articles and short volumes dealing with aspects of hormones and behavior have been published. How ever, there seemed to be an overwhelming need for a synopsis of the major topics in a unified and integrated form. Thus, the reason for this edition. In these two volumes, we hope we have presented a critical assessment of the various interrelated areas dealing with hormones and behavior. In some instances, we have minimized the presenta tion of certain aspects of psychoendocrinology. This was a con scious effort since some areas have received competent coverage in other volumes. In other instances, we have presented hitherto seldom mentioned material. For example, we are presenting coverage of the general areas dealing with hormones and behavior in aging and the aging process, mental illness, early experience, motivation, genetics and personality. In some instances, the available data is overabundant; in others, the data is scarce. However, we hope that an evaluation of this situation stimulates further interest and further collaborative research where needed.

Endocrine disruption is an expanding field due to the numerous chemicals involved and, as evidenced more recently, the variety of homeostatic systems that they can alter throughout life. Also, this field is at the edge of several disciplines with implications of both laboratory scientists and clinicians. This symposium aims at updating mechanisms and consequences of endocrine disruption in three perspectives: neural, metabolic and reproductive. The gathering of experts from all over the world should help the participants to identify health disorders that are possibly or likely related to exposure to endocrine disrupters. The research needs will be discussed as well as recommendations prioritizing target groups and following the precautionary principle.

Relaxin, perhaps more than any other hormone, has a varied history of eliciting enthusiasm, rejection, skepticism, and long lapses of neglect. Long after its discovery, it was a hormone in search of a physiological role in humans. Today, relaxin is implicated in mammary growth, development and function, ionotropic and chronotropic action on the heart, and angiogenic activity in both the peripheral tissues and the endometrium. It is best known for its effect on the uterus and the symphysis pubis in preparation for parturition. However, the literature suggests that not all functions occur in one species. This book describes how to obtain the necessary molecules or derivatives for research, reaching right into the design of new molecules for specific applications.

We had the pleasure and the great opportunity to organize a symposium on "Molecular Biology of Brain and Endocrine Peptidergic Systems" under the auspices of the Canadian Biochemical society and the International Foundation for Biochemical Endocrinology. We were indeed very happy to ass ble a series of first rate speakers who delivered excellent papers on a variety of subjects from the synthesis of complicated peptide analogs, to the creation of trangenic mice, site-directed mutagenesis, enzyme characterization and DNA binding sites. One hundred and seventy-five participants attended the 40 conferences while having the opportunity to look at 24 posters presented by senior scientists as well as students. We, of the organizing committee, feel extremely pleased to have received an overwhelming response from such a group of scholars. We wish to express our sincere gratitude to Mrs. Diane Marcil who arranged most aspects of the meeting with efficiency. We also thank the different organizations and companies for their generous grants which made the reunion possible. We hope that the participants have gained scientifically while having a pleasant sojourn in beautiful Montreal. The organizing committee was made up of a group of dedicated people, particularly its secretary, Dr. Philippe Crine. To all speakers and sessions chairpersons, we are indebted for the excellence of their participation.

Jacques Barzun, the noted Columbia University historian of ideas and culture, once described the feeling that some people experience when they come upon a new reference book. He wrote: "Hand over to one of us a new Dictionary, "Companion," or Guide, and our eyes first light up and then turn dreamy: we have seized the volume and are off, arm in arm with the guide i or companion. ..." The book now in your hands made my eyes light up. Thyroid Disorders with Cutaneous Manifestations is that kind of book. Heymann, who has been fascinated by this sometimes controversial subject for decades, has brought not only his own expertise, but that of many experts from the fields of the skin and the thyroid gland. Steven Jay Gould wrote about overlapping and nonoverlapping magisteria-this book demonstrates just how much important overlap there is. But it also covers the basics in such a way that dermatologists can find what they need to know about the thyroid and thyroidologists can find what they need to know about the skin. Thyroid Disorders with Cutaneous Manifestations falls neatly into the tra- tion of medical monographs that become standards. They fulfill the roles of gathering, digesting, and synthesizing current knowledge, and they do so in a way that review articles cannot approach and that the scientific literature is not designed to accomplish.

The beautiful town of Cavtat near Dubvronic, Yugoslavia was the site of the twelfth meeting of the International Foundation for Biochemical Endocrinology. It was sponsored by the Serbian Academy for Sciences and Arts and by the Foundation. The Croatia Hotel in Cavtat was a splendid place for a meeting. The presentation of the subject matter relating to "Neuroendocrine Correlates of Stress" was interesting and informa tive. The topics included many forms of stress, their mediators and responses. They included: releasing factors; neurotransmitters in the hypothalamus; role of noradrenal ine; the reaction of the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenocortical axis to stress; immunological stress; thermal stress; immobil ization stress; peptides in shock; stress-induced prolactin; stress and acupuncture; stress and behavior; spinal cord transection and stress; electroconvulsive stress; neuroendocrine cells and stress; protein kinase as a signal transducer; the effects of constant 1 ight and darkness on the pineal; sleep, stress and ovarian function; and finally, hormonal response to exercise. Subsequently, the papers presented were rewritten for inclusion in this monograph. The Chairmen for the sessions at Cavtat were K. McKerns and Stefan Manolov, V. Chong-Li and L. Rakic, S. Feldman and R. Mil in, M. Lee and V. Liposits. The next meeting of the Foundation will be held in Edinburgh near the end of September, 1985. The topic will be "Neuroendocrine Molecular Biology" with Professor George Fink as Honorary Chairman of the local organizing committee."

Although physiological and anatomical evidence had clearly indicated for many years that the secretion of anterior pituitary hormones is under control by the central nervous system, it is only recently that the isolation and determination of structure of three hypo- thalamic hypophysiotropic hormones have been accomplished. This has brought the concept of neurohormonal control of adenohypophyseal function into precise biochemical and chemical terms. The relative ease of synthesis of TRH (thyrotropin-releasing hormone), LH-RH (luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone), somatostatin and their analogues has opened a new era in the field of endocri- nology and has led to a rapid expansion of our knowl- ge of the control of anterior pituitary function. The rapid evolution of fundamental and clinical research on hypothalamic hormones and the many potential clinical applications indicate the importance of inte- grating the knowledge gained in recent years. This is well illustrated in the Proceedings of the International Symposium on Hypothalamus and Endocrine Functions held in Quebec City on September 21-24th, 1975, which indi- cates that impressive progress has been made in large variety of aspects of hypothalamic hormone research.

In this era of proliferation of synthetic growth hormone in the marketplace, there is a parallel and accentuated interest in growth hormone in the scientific arena. Because many more people can be treated with available growth hormone, clinicians must be prepared to answer hard questions regarding appropriate therapeutic usage and their decisions should be based on substantiated research in growth hormone. In June 1987, an international group of basic and clinical inves tigators gathered in Tampa, Florida, to address these issues and to further explore the very nature of growth hormone. The presentations contained within this book bring together their most current and vital research related to growth hormone. Section I deals with an examination of the molecular and biochemical events which define the growth hormone process. In Section II the neuroregulation of growth hormone secretion is highlighted from contrasting perspectives. The third section emphasizes and defines methods of diagnosis of growth hormone deficiency states. Section IV reviews the physiology, biochemistry and molecular actions of growth hormone and somatomedin. Section V represents an assessment of growth hormone treatment for various disorders, and the sixth section expands current uses of growth hormone therapy as it evolves into the next decade. The symposium upon which this book is based proved to be a dynamic blending of scholarly interaction between basic and clinical scientists. I am indebted to the participants whose worthy contributions are reflected in these pages."

During the last two decades, progress in steroid hormone research has resulted in the development of new approaches to contraception as well as diagnosis and treatment of endocrine disorders and cancers. Although significant advances have been made in the purification, characterization, immunochemistry and molecular biology of steroid receptors, the precise molecular mechanism of steroid hormone action has remained obscure. This book captures the detailed presentations made at the first conference on Steroid Receptors in Health and Disease held at Meadow Brook Hall, Oakland University in the fall of 1987. The purpose of this international con ference was to facilitate scientific exchange toward a better understand ing of the mode of action of steroid hormones. The scientific sessions consisted of poster presentations and state-of-the-art lectures, the latter of which make up this volume. The first chapter is meant to provide the reader with a more general background of the topics covered in the book, as well as to discuss certain theme-related issues that are either not yet well-established or accepted or are in the stage of infancy. It is hoped that this volume will serve as a useful treatise for students and investigators interested in basic and clinical aspects of biological regulation by steroid hormones. A task of this magnitude could not have been undertaken without the encouragement, advice and continued generous assistance of the members of the scientific committee. I am gratefully indebted to Drs."

To obey the precepts of therapeutic rationality, we should avoid treating the "effect" when there is a way to attack the cause. But what is the cause of diabetes? Diabetes is a molecular disease, that is, a disease in which important cellular components are seriously impaired. Eventually, the activities or the products arising from the impairment find expression in various ways, finally culminating in the abnormalities of diabetes. How early is early enough to attempt to delay this sequence of events? What will provide us with the basis to explore ways and means of halting the progression of the pathological process? What are the new approaches for the treatment of early diabetes? The Fourth International Symposium on Early Diabetes, sponsored by the Diabetes Center of the New York Medical College, held in Algarve, Portugal in November 1978, from which this book evolved, attempted to answer some of these questions. A list of the participants, including their affiliations, will be found preceding the index. Rafael A. Camerini-Davalos v Acknowledgments To our sponsors, U.S.V. Pharmaceutical Corp., Pfizer Pharmaceuticals, Ames Company, Hoechst, Frankfurt; supporters, Boehringer, Manheim, Laboratoires Servier, Nordisk Laboratory, The Upjohn Company, Eli Lilly and Company, F. Hoffman La Roche; and contributors, Bayer A. G. Leverkusen, McNeil, Novo Research Institute, ICI Belgium, Hope for Diabetics Foundation, New York, we express our appreciation for the financial support which made possible the Fourth International Symposium on Early Diabetes. THE ORGANIZING COMMITTEE Rafael A. Camerini-Davalos, M.D.

The subject of this book is neuroendocrinology, that branch of biological science devoted to the interactions between the two major integrative organ systems of animals-the endocrine and nervous systems. Although this science today reflects a fusion of endocrinology and neurobiology, this synthetic ap proach is relatively recent. At the beginning of the 20th century, when the British physiologists, Bayliss and Starling, first proposed endocrinology to be an independent field of inquiry, they went to great lengths to establish the autonomy of chemical secretions in general and their independence from nervous control in particular (Bayliss, W. M. , and Starling, E. H. , 1902, The mechanism of pancreatic secretion,]. Physiol. 28:325). They argued with Pav lov, who said that there was a strong influence of the nervous system on the gastrointestinal phenomena the endocrinologists were studying. For several decades, the English physiologists prevailed, at least in the West; and Pavlov's critique was not taken to heart by the practitioners of the newly emerging discipline of endocrinology. Through the work of Harris, the Scharrers, Sawyer, Everett, and others, there has been something of a scientific detente in the latter half of this century; the hybrid field of neuroendocrinology is now regarded as one of the corner stones of modern neural science and is of fundamental importance in basic and clinical endocrinology.

This has been a year of substantial change for The Year in Endocrinology. The first change, though perhaps only a semantic one, nevertheless represents a landmark. Although last year's volume was designated as the first of an annual series, that seemed to me at the time merely a hope-a realistic hope, perhaps, but a hope, nevertheless. With the publication of this year's volume, however, this can accurately be said to be an annual series, one that we trust will fulfill a need and will therefore continue for years to come. Among other changes from last year's volume are some that were originally intended and others that were unintended. In the former category is the substitution of a chapter on water metabolism and vaso pressin, excellently prepared by Dr. Gary L. Robertson, for the chapter on paraendocrine syndromes that appeared last year. Chapters on these two topics will continue to appear on alternate years. Obviously, the non recurring chapter on a topic of special interest has also changed, and this year's comprises a comprehensive review of autoimmune endocrine dis ease by Drs. Jay Silverberg and Robert Volpe. The unexpected change results from the inability of Dr. Louis Avioli to continue as a member of the Editorial Board. Most fortunately, however, we have persuaded Dr. Charles R. Kleeman to join the Board and to be responsible for the chapter on the parathyroid gland and mineral metabolism. Dr. Kleeman has been assisted on the preparation of this chapter by his daughter, Dr."

The German land of Hesse (Bundesland Hessen) is well known for its excellent wines (Rheinhessen), for its financial centre and for its airport (FrankfurtlMain). It is, unjustifiably, far less well known for its importance to thennoregulation. Within the small area of Bad Nauheim, Giessen and Marburg (in alphabetical order) a greater concentration of students of thenno regulation has been trained or worked or is working than probably in any other single area of Europe, if not the world. It is thus most appropriate to hold the Ninth International Symposium on the Pharmacology of Thennoregulation in Giessen, from August 7 to 12, 1994. The community of students of thennoregulation was extremely grateful that Professor Kurt Bruck and the lustus-Liebig-University of Giessen had extended this invitation. The same community was even more saddened that Kurt Bruck died on April 27, 1992 and thus could not participate in this event that had been planned to honour his achievements. As a small token of friendship and affection, the many friends of Kurt Bruck from all over the world who will participate in this event dedicate this symposium to the memory of Kurt Bruck. Another staunch friend, researcher of temperature regulation and supporter of this series of symposia died in October 1993: Professor Wilhelm Siegmund Feldberg. We feel fortunate to be able to start this volume with two brief infonnal and personal accounts of professors Bruck and Feldberg."

This book tells the story of diabetes, from ancient times to today, and provides an accessible introduction to the cause, treatment, and impact of the disease.Diseases have a history, and understanding that history helps us understand how best to treat and control disease today. Today's students are confronted with a panoply of often-frightening illnesses and afflictions - the Biographies of Disease series provides necessary information to understand the origin of various maladies, how they impact contemporary society, and how doctors and researchers from around the world are fighting to devise treatments to alleviate or cure these diseases.This volume, Diabetes, covers a disease that has been a common affliction from the beginning of recorded history, but has been increasing in its impact because of changes in diet and exercise, especially among the young. Diabetes examines all aspects of this disease, including: the diagnosis and treatment of diabetes from the ancient period to the present day; the definition of the various types of diabetes, and the role of glucose and insulin; diagnosis and treatment, with an emphasis on prevention for those at risk; the cultural impact of the disease - on individuals, on families, and on the economy; and, the state of current research on new forms of insulin, blood glucose meters, transplants, and weight control.The volume includes a glossary of important terms and a bibliography of accessible works that discuss the disease.

Physical activity exerts an important influence on the endocrine system, modulating synthesis and secretion of several hormones. Almost every organ and system in the body is affected by physical activity and exercise, mainly through the endocrine and neuroendocrine system. Mode, intensity, and duration of the exercise bout, age, gender and fitness level of the individual as well as environmental and psychological factors may affect the endocrine response to physical activity.

On the other hand, several hormones are able to influence physical performance and body composition. Thus, a bi-univocal interrelationship between exercise and hormones exists.

In this book new developments on metabolic and endocrine response to exercise are revised and introduce the "hot topic" of hormonal doping in sports. In the past decades, hormone abuse has become a widespread habit among professional and most of all and more frequently recreational athletes. A substantial part of this volume is devoted to the effects of exogenous hormones on performance. Anabolic steroids, growth hormone and erythropoietin properties, use and misuse in sports are widely described. Specific methods to detect hormone abuse are presented and discussed.

The contributors to this volume are well-known experts and dedicated researchers in the fields of sports medicine and endocrinology, endocrine physiology, pharmacology, and doping detection.

The purpose of this volume is to provide all professionals involved in sports medicine and endocrinology a state-of-the-art overview of the complex interactions between physical activity and the endocrine system and to focus on hormone abuse in sports at competitive and recreational level highlighting its negative consequences for long-term health."

Cell biology has made an appreciable impact on the evaluation of physiological and pathophysiological processes leading to a more detailed understanding of the signaling mechanisms by which cells communicate in vivo and in vitro and modify adaptively. By using cell culture models in addition to animal experiments we are now able to better define the overall and the selective potential of drugs. This book is designed to give information on the advantages and limitations and on new aspects and the meaning of cell culture models in pharmaceutical research.

The Center for Population Research of the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development began operations in August 1968 and is engaged in research dealing with health-related popula tion problems. We organize and support projects for the develop ment of new contraceptives and in the broad field of population research in the social sciences o The Center also supports a variety of projects dealing with the mechanism of action and medical effects of contraceptives now in use, particularly oral contraceptives and intrauterine devices. These studies were initiated several years ago at the specific direction of Congresso We were pleased, therefore, with the opportunity to help organize and support this important and timely conference on the "Metabolic Effects of Gonadal Hormones and Contraceptive Steroids," the subject of which forms an integral part of the Center's research program. April, 1969 Philip Ao Corfman Director Center for Population Research National Institute of Child Health and Human Development v PREFACE Progress in science is often associated with either a "sixth sense" or an inevitable timeliness. Both factors, perhaps, led the members of the Endocrinology Study Section of the National Institutes of Health to propose, in 1966, that an expanded view of the effects of gonadal hormones, in general, and the contra ceptive steroids, in particular. was needed. There had been ample evaluations of the clinical symptomatology, contraceptive efficacy, and effects on the reproductive system, but there was a dearth of information on their multiple systemic'metabolic effects."

In the summer of 1969, the first Workshop on Control of Renin Secretion was held at Stanford University. At its completion, it was suggested by many of those who attended that a second Workshop be planned in about two years time. Thus the second Workshop on Control of Renin Secretion took place and from this event the chapters in this book had their origin. The setting of this Work shop was the beautiful J & R Double Arch Ranch in Santa Ynez, California which houses the Kroc Foundation. The Foundation, through the kindness of its President, Dr. Robert L. Kroc, provided us with luxurious accommodations, excellent meeting facilities and an atmosphere extremely conducive to the exchange of scientific knowledge, both formally and informally. In addition, the Founda tion assisted financially in the travel expenses of three of our foreign guests and in the preparation of the manuscripts for this book. I know I speak for all of us who attended the Workshop in expressing our sincere gratitude to the Foundation and to Dr. and Mrs. Kroc and their staff. In addition, I personally, as organizer of the meeting and editor, wish to acknowledge the help of many others who made my job much easier. Drs. Davis, Ganong, Luetscher and Tobian kindly took on the jobs of chairing the four sessions and directing the lively discussions which followed each presentation."

Perinatal problems in thyroid gland physiology are common but complicated and present a diagnostic dilemma for the primary clinician. In December 1990, an international group of basic and clinical investigators gathered in Longboat Key, Florida to address these issues. The participants included internists, obstetricians, pedia tricians, neurologists, pathologists and basic scientists in cellular metabolism, endocrine physiology, and molecular biology. The presentations contained within this book bring together their most current and vital research related to the field of perinatal thyroidology. This book is based on the dynamic and fruitful exchange of the participants at the symposium. We are indebted to these individuals whose valuable insights and efforts are contained within this text. Barry B. Bercu Dorothy I. Shulman vii CONTENTS Session I Mechanism of Thyroid Hormone Action 1 Leslie J. DeGroot Thyroid System Ontogeny in the Sheep: A Model for Precocial Mammalian Species * . . * * 11 Delbert A. Fisher Pathologic Studies of Fetal Thyroid 27 Development * * * * * * * Douglas R. Shanklin Thyroid Hormone Control of Brain and Motor Development: Molecular, Neuroanatomical, 47 and Behavioral Studies * * * * * * * S. A. Stein, P. M. Adams, D. R. Shanklin, G. A. Mihailoff, and M. B. Palnitkar The Thyroidectomized Pregnant Rat: An Animal Model to Study Fetal Effects of Maternal Hypothyroidism 107 Susan P. Porterfield and Chester E.

This volume describes the proceedings of the Workshop Conference on The Human Testis which was held at Positano, Italy, April 23-25, 1970. The format of the book has been arranged according to topics discussed during the Conference. Each chapter includes individual contributions followed by discussion. Thus, this volume provides a current critical evaluation of the subjects discussed. The Editors assume responsibility for any shortcomings and wish to thank all par~ ticipants for their unprecedented cooperation in making this publi cation possible. The Editors are indebted to Miss Barbara Martin for her able secretarial and administrative assistance and to Mrs. Griff T. Ross who supervised the secretarial staff during the conference. Rec ognition is also due to Mrs. M. Flack for editorial assistance. The Workshop Conference could not have taken place but for the Serono Foundation, which supported this Meeting as well as the pub lication of the Proceedings of this Workshop. The physical as well as the technical arrangements were under the careful direction of Mr. Cesare Florimonte of the Serono Foundation. The support pro vided by the Serono Foundation is another proof of its generosity in stimulating scientific exchanges and a demonstration of its con tinuous efforts to support basic and applied studies in the field of human reproduction. We express our thanks to our Publisher, Plenum Press, for their fine cooperation and for ensuring the rapid publication of this vol ume.

This volume is an outgrowth of a symposium held at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, October 27-29, 1975. This symposium was organized to bring together basic scientists and clinicians for the purpose of exchanging new ideas and the latest information in the area of Steroid Hormone Action and Cancer. The design of the symposium included both formal plenary sessions and informal roundtable discussion groups, the chapters of this volume being drawn primarily from these proceedings. During the last quarter of a century considerable progress has been made toward understanding the molecular mechanisms in volved in steroid hormone action. It now appears that the mechan sim of action of the four major classes of steroid hormones is qualitatively similar. Research during the past decade has demonstrated steroid hormone receptors in a variety of normal and neoplastic tissues. Receptor-containing neoplasms have been shown to be hormone-dependent and undergo regression when treated with hormone antagonists. Natural and synthetic steroids also have been employed for many years to successfully treat various types of cancer, for example: estrogens, androgens and progestagens for breast cancer; estrogens and progestagens for prostatic carcinoma; progestagens for endometrial carcinoma; and corticoids for leu kemias. All of these neoplasms have now been found to possess receptors for the steroids empirically used in their treatment."

This volume provides a brief resume of the history of testosterone research, from the early pioneers through to the most recent advances in the field. We discover how steroid hormones were first identified and how testosterone was shown to be essential for male development. Moving forward we explore how and where testosterone is produced, and how the body controls testosterone production. We then investigate the impact testosterone has on different body systems both during their development and function, and how perturbation of testosterone action is associated with disease. We complete our story with an exploration of the emerging roles of testosterone in clinical therapy, and the future potential for manipulation of the testosterone signaling system for human health benefit.