This pioneering text formally introduces an all-inclusive approach to preventive health care that is targeted at female factor associated infertility. All female factor problems and related issues are examined critically. This is followed by the proposal of preventive strategies that are based on the three tiers of preventive health care (primary, secondary and tertiary prevention). This exceptional book is currently the only available comprehensive text on the subject. It is an invaluable resource guide for a wide range of medical, health and allied professionals. You will find:

This second edition offers an expanded and updated history of the field of fetal and neonatal development, allowing readers to gain a comprehensive understanding of the biological aspects that contribute to the wellbeing or pathophysiology of newborns. In this concluding opus of a long and prominent career as a clinical scientist, Dr. Longo has invited new contributions from noted colleagues with expertise in various fields to provide a historical perspective on the impact of how modern concepts emerged in the field of fetal physiology and contributed to the current attention paid to the fetal origins of diseases in adults. In addition to new chapters on maternal physiology and complications during pregnancy, others trace the history of the Society for Reproductive Investigation, governmental funding of perinatal research, and major initiatives to support training in the new discipline of maternal fetal medicine, including the Reproductive Scientist Development program. The extensive survey provided by the author, who personally knew most of the pioneers in the field, offers a unique guide for all clinical and basic scientists interested in the history of - and future approaches to diagnosing and treating - pathologies that represent the leading causes of neonatal mortality and, far too often, life-long morbidity.

This is part of a series of integrative work by infancy researchers of both humans and animals. The articles seek to serve as references on programmatic series of studies, critical correlations of diverse data that yield to a common theme, and constructive attacks on old issues.

This text is a practical guide for primary-care doctors and health visitors involved in the detection of developmental problems in children whose parents are worried that their child is not developing like other children. It will be of assistance to paediatricians and paediatric neurologists in providing a developmental perspective in the diagnostic process in their work with children with chronic neurological disorders. The tests described have been standardized by the author and cover the essentials of developmental examination: history - including parents' views of their child's development; clinical tests of hearing; examination of visual behavior and visual acuity; observation of developing motor skills; language/performance profiles in which any substantial unevenness or an overall low score may reveal a developmental problem. In practice the range of average ability is wide, so a distinctive feature of this book is a standardized data base in graphical form that can be used to identify readily those children (lowest 20%) who warrant further specialist investigation or treatment.

This book is the first to bring together an interdisciplinary collection of essays on surrogacy and egg donation from three socially, legally and culturally distinct countries - India, Israel and Germany. It presents contributions from experts in the field of social and cultural sciences, bioethics, law as well as psychology and provides critical-reflective comparative analysis of the socio-ethical factors shaping surrogacy and egg donation practices across these three countries. This book highlights the importance of a comparative perspective to 'make sense' of controversies and transitions in this highly contested area of artificial reproductive technologies. It demonstrates how local developments cannot be isolated from global events and vice versa. Therefore, this volume can be used as a standard reference for anyone seeking to understand surrogacy and egg donation from a macro-perspective in the next decade.

Intended for readers with a background in fertility medicine as well as those less familiar with IVF, this comprehensive work presents an update on preimplantation genetic testing to enable single embryo transfer (SET). An international cast of contributors explains the treatment sequence-from ovulation induction to luteal support-aiming to transfer only one euploid embryo. Applications of molecular techniques for gamete and embryo assessment are fully detailed, with a focus on the strengths and limitations of each. In addition, expert commentary is shared across a range of regulatory challenges associated with embryo screening and cryopreservation. As access to advanced reproductive technology increases against a sharper background of healthcare reform, clinicians, economists, bioethicists and legislators alike will find this new volume relevant and highly accessible.

This major reference is a substantially revised edition of Palmore's "International Handbook on Aging," which was voted Choice Outstanding Academic Book of 1980. The reference collects and summarizes information on programs and research in gerontology in most countries where significant work is taking place. The chapters are arranged alphabetically, with each chapter devoted to a particular country. The countries selected represent a wide range of social, political, geographic, and economic conditions, and ten new countries are included in this edition.

Each chapter provides current information on the unique features of the country profiled; the roles and status of the aged; problems of the elderly; programs for older adults; research in biomedical, psychological, and sociological aspects of aging; and sources of additional information. Each chapter closes with a list of works for further consultation, and the handbook concludes with an appendix of gerontological associations and a bibliography. Gerontologists, social scientists, and policymakers will find this reference a valuable and current guide to developments and research on aging around the world.

Ectogenesis refers to the artificial gestation of a fetus outside the womb. Despite certain advantages for women's reproductive liberty, feminist groups remain divided regarding this technology. This book argues that reproduction imposes unjust burdens on women, and thus the ideals of equal opportunity demand continued research into ectogenesis.

This volume is the proceedings of the International Symposium on Male Sterility for Motility Disorders, held in Paris, January 30-31, 1998. The internationally recognized faculty present the latest research on etiologic factors and treatment of male sterility for motility disorders, including the etiology of immobile sperm; therapeutic possibilities for immotile sperm; ICSI option; testicular sperm, physiological and pathological aspects and retrieval; and conceptus quality in ICSI and ethical problems with ART.

This volume provides key molecular biological protocols and experimental strategies currently employed to study the various stages of mammary gland development. Chapters are divided into four parts covering genetically modified mouse models that exhibit prenatal and pubertal mammary gland phenotypes, 2D and 3D-model culture systems, methodologies for mammary stem cell isolation, and translational applications that provide a bridge between experimental studies of mammary gland development and the study of human breast cancer. Written in the highly successful Methods in Molecular Biology series format, chapters include introductions to their respective topics, lists of the necessary materials and reagents, step-by-step, readily reproducible laboratory protocols, and tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. Authoritative and cutting-edge, Mammary Gland Development: Methods and Protocols will be useful for researchers whose primary interest is in mammary gland development; developmental biologists, epithelial cell biologists, and those with an interest in molecular mechanisms underlying breast cancer.

As the preface indicates, this sorely needed tool is more than a dictionary. In addition to defining terms specific to gerontology (circuit breakers, ' Detroit syndrome') and multidisciplinary terms (suicide, ' cholesterol') pertinent to gerontology, in alphabetic order, it provides one to four references for each term. . . . . Highly recommended for upper-division and graduate collections. "Choice"

Because of the different disciplines that gerontology encompasses, the definition it uses can prove bewildering to students, scholars, and practitioners. Diana Harris is the first scholar to deal with this terminology in a comprehensive manner. Reflecting multidisciplinary perspectives and introducing standardization, her dictionary offers hundreds of precisely defined terms and concepts, as well as detailed, up-to-date bibliographic information. Because of the different disciplines that gerontology encompasses, the definitions it uses can prove bewildering to students, scholars, and practitioners. Diana Harris is the first scholar to deal with this terminology in a comprehensive manner. Reflecting multidisciplinary perspectives and introducing standardization, her dictionary offers hundreds of precisely defined terms and concepts, as well as detailed, up-to-date bibliographic information.

Kisspeptin has been shown to be both necessary and sufficient for activation of the reproductive axis, during puberty and later in adulthood. This makes kisspeptin a fundamental component of the reproductive axis. Kisspeptin has been deemed the single most potent stimulator of GnRH neurons yet known. The importance of kisspeptin has been documented in humans as well as non-human animal models, ranging from monkeys, sheep, and rodents to numerous fish species, thus signifying a highly conserved nature of its reproductive function. Importantly, kisspeptin neurons seem to mediate many of the regulatory effects of other signals, whether they are metabolic, circadian, hormonal, or stress. This places kisspeptin neurons in a unique position to be key nodal points and conduits for conveying numerous endogenous and exogenous signals to the reproductive axis.

This book focus on genetic diagnostics for Uniparental Disomy (UPD), a chromosomal disorder defined by the exceptional presence of a chromosome pair derived from only one parent, which leads to a group of rare diseases in humans. First the molecular and cytogenetic background of UPD is described in detail; subsequently, all available information of the various chromosomal origins and the latest findings on genotype-phenotype correlations and clinical consequences are discussed. Numerous personal reports from families with a child suffering from a UPD-induced syndrome serve to complement the scientific and clinical aspects. Their experiences with genetic counseling and living with a family member affected by this chromosomal aberration present a vivid picture of what UPD means for its victims.

This book presents the current state of knowledge on the origin and differentiation of cell lines involved in the development of the vertebrate male and female gonads with particular emphasis on the mouse. It also discusses the processes leading to the testis- and ovary-specific structures and functions. The individual chapters review the origin and differentiation of the somatic cells of the genital ridges; the formation and migration of primordial germ cells in mouse and man; the gonadal supporting cell lineage and mammalian sex determination; differentiation of Sertoli and granulosa cells; mesonephric cell migration into the gonads and vascularization; origin and differentiation of androgen-producing cells in the gonads; germ cell commitment to the oogenic versus spermatogenic pathway and the role of retinoic acid; ovarian folliculogenesis; control of oocyte growth and development by intercellular communication within the follicular niche; biology of the Sertoli cell in the fetal, pubertal and adult mammalian testis; mechanisms regulating spermatogonial differentiation; stem cells in mammalian gonads; the role of microRNAs in cell differentiation during gonad development; human sex development and its disorders; as well as methods for the study of gonadal development.

For many years, it has been known that when rats and mice are given a reduced amount of food, their life span is increased and they remain healthy and vigorous at advanced ages.

What is the reason for this change in the usual pattern of aging? The evidence is overwhelming that the life extension results from a slowing of aging processes. And the factor responsible is the decrease in caloric intake. The obvious question: How does this factor work? A good question - and the reason that research on the anti-aging action of caloric restriction is today one of the most studied research areas in biological gerontology. For it is felt that if the biological mechanisms of the anti-aging action of caloric restriction can be uncovered, we would gain an understanding of the basic nature of aging processes, which would, in turn, yield possible interventions in human aging. This book aims to provide the growing number of researchers in this field (faculty, postdoctoral trainees, and graduate students) with a detailed knowledge of what is known about caloric restriction within the frame of gerontology, as well as insights on future of this field.

Microsurgery for Fertility Specialists is an invaluable resource for physicians who specialize in the surgical treatment of male and female infertility. This practical text explains the basics of microsurgery and provides detailed operative descriptions of surgical procedures such as vasectomy reversal, sperm retrieval, tubal reanastomosis, and penile surgery. An exceptional cadre of reproductive specialists shares valuable knowledge of the current state of microsurgery, its role in infertility procedures, and the latest advances in the field --including some non-infertility microsurgical techniques. The book is an essential educational guide for those with a more advanced knowledge of microsurgical practice as it includes chapters that will help them mentor residents and fellows, and inspire future generations of reproductive surgeons.

This book addresses the impacts of current and future reproductive technologies on our world food production and provides a significant contribution to the importance of research in the area of reproductive physiology that has never been compiled before. It would provide a unique opportunity to separate the impacts of how reproductive technologies have affected different species and their contributions to food production. Lastly, no publication has been compiled that demonstrates the relationship between developments in reproductive management tools and food production that may be used a reference for scientists in addressing future research areas. During the past 50 years assisted reproductive technologies have been developed and refined to increase the number and quality of offspring from genetically superior farm animal livestock species. Artificial insemination (AI), estrous synchronization and fixed-time AI, semen and embryo cryopreservation, multiple ovulation and embryo transfer (MOET), in vitro fertilization, sex determination of sperm or embryos, and nuclear transfer are technologies that are used to enhance the production efficiency of livestock species.

This volume is the proceedings of the International Conference on Inhibin, Activin: Recent Advances and Future Views held in Tokushima, Japan from November 9-10, 1996. The Internationally recognized faculty present the latest research in the exploration of inhibin, activin and follistatin mechanisms of action.

This book is a concise guide to the diagnosis and management of reproductive health issues in adolescents that may lead to future fertility problems. Beginning with an overview of female adolescence and reproductive development, the following chapters cover different disorders including PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome), endometriosis, anaemia, menstrual abnormalities, teenage pregnancy and abortion, STIs and more. Each section provides step by step guidance from history taking, signs and symptoms, and clinical examination, to diagnosis and therapy. A complete chapter covers the 2012 POCSO (Protection of Children from Sexual Offences) Act. Key points Concise guide to reproductive health issues in adolescents, subsequently leading to fertility problems Discusses investigation, diagnosis and management of numerous disorders Covers POCSO Act 2012 Includes clinical images and figures to assist learning