The role of cytokines in the pathogenesis of disease is an area of research offering exciting challenges for scientists developing new disease interventions. Cytokines are proteins secreted by immune and inflammatory cells that circulate in the blood or extracellular space and bind to specific receptors activating a cascade of intracellular signals, which ultimately affect the growth, differentiation, and viability of cells. The effect of too little or too much of an individual cytokine or cytokines as a potential source of disease has led to novel treatment strategies designed to control the processes affecting cytokine levels.
Cytokines in Human Reproduction is the first reference to examine the role and effect of cytokines in reproduction, specifically how they cause (and prevent) disease. Edited by one of the foremost authorities in reproductive immunology, this important work includes the latest in cytokine research from leading specialists. In its thirteen chapters the book includes discussion of cytokines in both testicular and ovarian function, cytokines in early pregnancy, cytokines in disease development (uterine leiomyomas and tumors) as well as:
* The role of psycho-neuro-endocrine immunology in reproduction
* Cytokine networks in the human placenta
* Cytokines in the human fallopian tube
* Cytokines in the peritoneal environment
* Cytokines in endometriosis
* Oncogenes and growth factors in gynecologic oncology
Authoritative and up-to-date, Cytokines in Human Reproduction offers the first comprehensive look at cytokines in reproductive science and is a valuable resource in the library of the maternal-fetal specialist, reproductiveimmunologist, obstetrician/gynecologist as well as researcher or student.

Natural childbirth and rooming in; artificial insemination and in vitro fertilisation; sterilisation and abortion: women's health and reproduction went through a revolution in the twentieth century as scientific advances confronted ethical and political dilemmas. In New Zealand, the major site for this revolution was National Women's Hospital. Established in Auckland in 1946, with a purpose-built building that opened in 1964, National Women's was the home of medical breakthroughs by Sir William (Bill) Liley and Sir Graham (Mont) Liggins; of the Lawson quintuplets and the 'glamorous gynaecologists'; and of scandals surrounding the 'unfortunate experiment' and the neonatal chest physiotherapy inquiry. In this major history, Linda Bryder traces the rise and fall of National Women's over half a century in order to tell a wider story of reproductive health. She uses the varying perspectives of doctors, nurses, midwives, consumer groups and patients to show how together their dialogue shaped the nature of motherhood and women's health in twentieth-century New Zealand.

Das Buch vermittelt klinisch tatigen AErzten verschiedener Fachbereiche das noetige Praxiswissen und die Fertigkeiten, die dazu befahigen: * Sexuelle Stoerungen zu erkennen und diagnostisch zu erfassen, inkl. der dazu notwendigen Gesprachsfuhrungskompetenzen * Eine Sexualanamnese durchzufuhren * Patienten mit sexuellen Stoerungen fachgerecht zu beraten * Patienten mit sexuellen Stoerungen unter systematischer Nutzung der Arzt-Patient-Beziehung und mit Fokus auf der Paardimension sexualmedizinisch zu behandeln und sexualtherapeutische Kurzinterventionen durchzufuhren. Das Vorgehen der Gesprachsfuhrung, Beratung und Behandlung beruht auf dem Hannover-Ansatz der Sexualtherapie. Er bietet einen allgemeinen, stoerungsubergreifenden Rahmen von beratenden und therapeutischen Fertigkeiten und Werkzeugen, die bei allen Patienten mit Sexualstoerungen angewendet werden koennen. Daruber hinaus erhalt der Leser die notwendigen spezifischen Kenntnisse uber die verschiedenen Sexualstoerungen inklusive der fur diese verfugbaren aktuellen sexualmedizinischen und sexualtherapeutischen Behandlungsoptionen. Auch arztliche und psychologische Psychotherapeuten sowie andere Berufsgruppen, die mit sexuellen Problemen konfrontierten Klienten arbeiten, finden in diesem Praxisleitfaden vieles fur die tagliche Beratungspraxis. Das Buch deckt die Inhalte der Zusatzweiterbildung "Sexualmedizin" der Bundesarztekammer sowie des Diploms "Sexualmedizin" der OEsterreichischen AErztekammer ab und vermittelt die dort festgelegten Kenntnisse und Fertigkeiten. Fur die Prufungsvorbereitung stehen dem Leser zahlreiche Flashcards zur Verfugung.

This book represents an attempt to review the most recent knowledge concerning basic processes occurring in the most important female reproductive organ -- the ovaries and their regulators. The most important processes (ovarian cyclic changes and oogenesis), as well as their extracellular (hormones and growth factors) and intracellular (protein kinases, transcription factors, small RNAs) regulators are described. Data concerning processes or substances well described in previous reviews are summarised here in a short form with references to corresponding reviews.

In this book, the authors present current research in the study of ovulation detection, its signs, symptoms and outcomes. Topics discussed in this compilation include the importance of up and down regulation of receptors for FSH, progesterone and GnRH in the ovary, endometrium and lymphocytes in correcting various ovulatory disorders and achieving live deliveries; polycystic ovary syndrome and implications in metabolic disorders; cancer risk of drugs for ovarian stimulation; alternatives to laparoscopic ovarian drilling for ovulation induction in clomiphene resistent women with polycystic ovary syndrome; reproductive outcomes and obesity; ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome and a focus on neurovascular complications; and new methods for ovulation detection.

This book represents an attempt to review the most recent knowledge concerning basic processes occurring in the most important female reproductive organ -- ovary and their regulators. The most important processes (ovarian cyclic changes and oogenesis), as well as their extracellular (hormones and growth factors) and intracellular (protein kinases, transcription factors, small RNAs) regulators are described. Data concerning processes or substances well described in previous reviews are summarised here in a short form with references to corresponding reviews.

Spermatozoa is the basic human male germ cell. This gametocyte plays an important role in fertilisation. In the past five years, new improvements in diagnosis have allowed us to assess male fertility potential with a new perspective studying with demonstrated role in sperm physiology. Furthermore, it is demonstrated that infertile men have high levels of sperm DNA damages and a small percentage of spermatozoa from fertile men also possess detectable levels of DNA damage. This book examines several of the factors that may be involved in sperm chromatin and DNA anomalies, including intra and extra testicular factors. Furthermore, sperm capacitation is a complex physiological process that involves biochemical, biophysical, molecular and metabolic modifications of all sperm domains. Some important events related to the capacitation process of sperm is examined as well. The biological role of the proteasome during sperm capacitation and the acrosome reaction and its relationship with protein phosphorylation and dephosphorylation during these processes is explored as well. Other chapters in this book highlight the pivotal role of transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analysis in the diagnosis of human sperm pathologies, the barrier methods currently available to men for regulating their fertility, a discussion of the current understanding of gene transfer to the testis, a new perspectives for the study of mycoplasmal and chlamydial infections of human spermatozoa and a discussion of the present current knowledge on the mechanisms, molecules and cell signalling involved in sperm activating ability.

Reproductive Health: Women and Men's Shared Responsibility is a much needed reference for both leaders and students in community health. The author's basic premise, that reproductive health must be addressed in an individual, community, and global context, is reflected in this integrated orientation to reproductive health that befits the needs of students of the twenty first century. It offers a cutting-edge approach in its presentation of information about reproductive health, complete with recognition of the role of men, human rights, social justice, global health, infertility, environmental threats, gender violence, and more.

FROM THE FOREWORD by James Birren:

In Health, Illness, and Optimal Aging: Biological and Psychosocial Perspectives, Carolyn M. Aldwin and Diane F. Gilmer undertake the challenging task of assembling an objective and holistic picture of human aging. The authors provide comprehensive, multidisciplinary coverage of the physical aspects of aging, including age-related changes and disease-related processes, the demography of the aging population, theories of aging, and the promotion of optimal aging. In addition, the book covers the psychosocial aspects of aging, including mental health, stress and coping, spirituality, and care giving in later years.

• Integrated. Discusses both the biological aspects and psychosocial factors of aging, thus providing integrated coverage of information from the fields of biology, psychology, and the social sciences.
• Comprehensive. Covers every part of the aging process including the physical effect on the different systems of the human body, quality of life, social support, and health promotion programs.
• Pedagogical. Examples in each chapter enhance students' understanding of real-life situations, and methodological issues help students become more critical consumers of research and data.

Health, Illness and Optimal Aging is recommended for researchers seeking an overview of health psychology and aging, as well as undergraduate and graduate students taking classes in the social, behavioral, and health sciences. This text is also valuable for practitioners working with the elderly in fields such as nursing, social work, occupational and physical therapy, day-care and nursing home administration, psychology, and rehabilitation.

Blank and Merrick argue that medical advances, changing social values, and novel legal cases challenging conventional notions of reproductive rights, raising questions and creating difficult policy dilemmas.

This volume focuses on the conflicts surrounding reproduction and reproductive rights. Restricted access to abortion, rights of surrogate and biological mothers, the right to control fertility, fetal and embryo research, and a pregnant woman's duty to avoid risk are among the timely issues explored in this book. Conflicts in the maternal-fetal relationship, such as court-ordered intervention, maternal substance abuse, and workplace hazards are also covered.

This fully-revised new edition of the best-selling Equine Clinical Medicine, Surgery and Reproduction is supported by over 1800 illustrations of the highest quality: colour photographs, diagnostic images including MRI and CT, and diagrams. System-based, the chapters introduce each individual system with precise information on the relevant basic anatomy and physiology, standard clinical examination techniques and useful differential diagnostic aids. This is followed by diseases and disorders that are pertinent to that system, grouped together either anatomically or based on presenting clinical signs. Each condition is described using consistent headings: definition/overview, etiology and pathophysiology, clinical presentation, diagnosis, differential diagnoses, management/treatment, and prognosis. Additional chapters deal with the foal and wounds. New to the second edition: - All chapters are updated throughout - Additional chapters on the axial musculoskeletal system (neck, back and pelvis) and muscle diseases and problems - A whole new section on soft tissue injuries of the foot - More information on diagnostic tests including over-ground endoscopy, chest and liver ultrasonography, head CT, and foot MRI - Material on equine dentistry, neurology, endocrine system, the foal, and the liver has been considerably expanded - All illustrations and photographs have been reviewed and many replaced with higher quality images. The focus throughout remains on providing clinically relevant information required for practical case management, plus sufficient background on causes and disease processes to enable readers to understand the conditions and the rationale for diagnostic and treatment options. An international group of respected clinicians have come together under the editorship of Dr Graham Munroe to create a textbook that will be of lasting value as a teaching and training resource for equine clinical teachers and their students in veterinary medicine and related equine courses, as well as a ready reference for non-specialist mixed or equine clinical practitioners

The new, fully updated edition of this successful book, brings together the combined experience of a leading dedicated unit over 25 years in delivering expert medical and surgical care to children with DSD (Disorders|Differences of Sex Development) in a holistic environment. It documents the most recent advances in the molecular biology and embryology of sex development, and describes each variation in detail. The main focus of the book is on patients with variations with their anatomy and hormone function. New chapters describe the developments in the field in terms of definitions and incidence, the mental health of DSD patients and discuss the perspectives of patients families and support groups. The clinical presentation and approach to diagnosis are described both for babies and for children presenting later in childhood or at adolescence. The chapters on management highlight all the latest knowledge and include the shared wisdom of the authors on current controversies, such as the timing of surgical treatment. Finally, the authors describe their short-, medium-, and long-term outcomes, which demonstrate the strengths of holistic team management.

Inspired by Carlos Beyer's 50 years of pioneering research and influence on his students and colleagues, Behavioral Neuroendocrinology builds upon Beyer's fundamental discoveries and concepts as well as their widespread implications. It presents original research and reviews on mechanisms - genomic and non-genomic - of steroid and protein hormone action; the role of steroid metabolism, especially aromatization, protein phosphorylation, and neurotransmitter action in mediating reproductive behavior and sexual differentiation; and brain and spinal cord mechanisms in sexual behavior and analgesia. This book presents a rich diversity of topics - lactation, maternal behavior, pheromone action, chronobiology, allodynia, angiogenesis, prostate physiology, sexual motivation, and specific brain systems, including vomeronasal system, cerebellum, preoptic area, hypothalamus, and spinal cord. This book brings together, in one source, an international "family" of researchers whose work has evolved in diverse but related ways from a seminal set of discoveries and concepts in behavioral neuroendocrinology.

Here is a major new work on human infancy written by one of the country's leading developmental psychologists and two distinguished colleagues. At its core is the long-awaited report of the authors' six-year study of infant day care. Important in its own right, this experiment becomes the occasion for a wide-ranging discussion of cognitive and emotional processes in infancy, of the effects of early experience on later growth, and of the deep-seated cultural and historical assumptions that underlie our views of human development. For those concerned with social policy, the book provides the best empirical assessment now available of the effects of group care on the psychological well-being of infants. It also supplies a blueprint for quality daycare that may well stand as a model for future nurseries. For those interested in the course of cognitive and emotional development, the book provides rich information about the major growth functions that characterize human infancy. It also outlines an explanation of these growth functions that links changes in emotional behavior to the maturation of underlying cognitive processes in a new and provocative way. And for everyone interested in human nature, the book of offers a controversial thesis about the discontinuity of psychological growth that challenges some of our most fundamental assumptions about the nature of individual development. For this paperback edition, the statistical summary has been removed from the appendix to shorten the work and make it even more appealing to the general reader.

Covering the subject at both the fundamental and applied levels, Follicular Growth, Ovulation and Fertilization highlights contraception, infertility management, environment, aging, and reproductive processes. Written by experts in their respective fields, the scientific contributions cover the basic aspects of reproductive biology with a special focus on fertility control and treatment of infertility. The book highlights the latest developments in reproductive biology and their connection to the emerging techniques in reproductive medicine including andrology, reproductive biology, and ovarian function.