Public concern over high-profile mistakes in IVF clinics and the concomitant increase in governmental regulation, have given rise to widespread recognition of the need for accreditation of IVF clinics. Modern accreditation schemes are largely based on the principles of ISO 9001 and related standards, at the heart of which lies the expectation of a formal quality management system. Risk analysis and risk minimization are also being demanded of IVF clinics, but many only have limited understanding of how to approach these essential management tasks. This book brings together the basics of quality management and risk management, focussing on 'prophylactic management' - prevention rather than cure. Each chapter in this new edition is fully updated and extended to include new material such as, quality and risk management in the ART clinic, and an illustrative example of a 'well-run' clinic. This is the essential guide for clinicians and IVF laboratory staff.

In the last decades, major advances have been made in assisted reproductive technologies (ART) and the public demand for these procedures has increased globally. All ART clinics, from those just starting out to the well established, must employ the latest equipment and implement the best practices, while ensuring that their resources are effectively engaged to optimize patient outcomes. This is a tenet of the fiduciary role of physicians and it is increasingly recognized as a quantifiable goal regulated by formal certifications and accreditations. Quality management protocols such as those proposed by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) are being rapidly adopted as standards of measure. Quality Management in ART Clinics: A Practical Guide provides easily adoptable ways to implement and improve formalized quality management systems. Essential to any clinic to achieve best practices and maintenance of formal regulatory certifications, this book brings together the know-how of experienced opinion leaders operating in key areas worldwide. The book offers an overview of primary regulations in the ART field, with attention to quality management demands, and links specific requirements to practical steps for implementation. Filled with process and procedure examples, flow diagrams and administrative form templates, this book is the first of its kind, gathering the necessary elements for optimizing practice, management, and quality assurance.

First published in 1959 as the second edition of a 1934 original, this book describes the Western history of embryology from prehistoric concepts of foetal growth through Graeco-Roman antiquity to the close of the eighteenth century. The text is illustrated with plates and diagrams showing the development of scientific understanding over time, first through artistic representations of gestation and later through scientific drawings and sketches. This book will be of value to anyone with an interest in the history of medicine.

Comprised exclusively of clinical cases covering ectopic pregnancy, this concise, practical casebook will provide clinicians in reproductive medicine and obstetrics/gynecology with the best real-world strategies to properly diagnose and treat the various forms of the condition they may encounter. Each chapter is a case that opens with a unique clinical presentation, followed by a description of the diagnosis, assessment and management techniques used to treat it, as well as the case outcome and clinical pearls and pitfalls. Cases included illustrate different management strategies - from treatment with methotrexate to surgical interventions - as well as types of ectopic pregnancy, such as ovarian, interstitial, heterotopic and abdominal forms, among others. Pragmatic and reader-friendly, Ectopic Pregnancy: A Clinical Casebook will be an excellent resource for reproductive medicine specialists, obstetricians and gynecologists, and family and emergency medicine physicians alike.

Oncofertility is a specialty that bridges the disciplines of reproductive endocrinology and infertility and oncology, with the goal of expanding the reproductive options of cancer patients. Given fertility risks associated with specific cancer treatments, as well as the improved long-term survival made possible by these therapies, there has been growing interest in expanding reproductive options for cancer patients. Indeed, both cancer survivors and the medical community have acknowledged the importance of patient counseling and the pursuit of fertility preservation options prior to starting cancer treatment. Oncofertility Medical Practice: Clinical Issues and Implementation is the third in a series of timely and indispensable books on fertility preservation for cancer patients-the first one focused on advances in basic science research and the second one offered ethical, legal, and social perspectives on the theme. This book elucidates the latest practices and emerging treatments in oncofertility and provides necessary information on the successes, risks, and limitations of fertility preserving technologies. Authoritative and insightful, written by an impressive multi-disciplinary cadre of specialists, this book is a valuable up-to-date resource for all those practicing in this demanding field. "This excellent text is an invaluable resource and a "must read" for clinicians and researchers interested in Oncofertility. The editors and authors need to be congratulated for their fine work." Roger A. Lobo, MD, Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Columbia University and Past President of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine

Ovulation induction and controlled ovarian stimulation lie at the very heart of treatment for infertility, but have been subject to a bewildering variety of variations and improvements over recent years. The Second Edition of this highly successful book updates the reader on the progress and developments in this area. Furthermore, it provides the busy clinician with a reliable overview of the principles involved and the management needed. As with the previous edition, the emphasis throughout this book is on logical evidence and evidence-based solutions supplemented with Professor Homburg's extensive clinical experience gleaned from more than forty years working in the field. A number of highly useful algorithms and explanatory tables reinforce this approach, ensuring that the reader is presented with easy-to-grasp, well-presented information that maximizes clarity and understanding. This book offers a concise, no-nonsense, practical guide to ovulation induction and controlled ovarian stimulation and will be an essential resource for the general gynaecologists, fertility specialists and trainees, health workers and students.

This concise, truncated version of Parekattil and Agarwal's "Male Infertility: Contemporary Clinical Approaches, Andrology, ART & Antioxidants" is the first resource dedicated solely to antioxidants and male infertility. With select chapters that will prove invaluable to the practitioner of reproductive medicine, "Antioxidants in Male Infertility" addresses issues such as:

- Molecular mechanisms of antioxidants in male infertility

- Oxidative stress

- The impact of infection, aging, obesity, and injury on male infertility

- Natural and synthetic antioxidants and antioxidant therapy

- Antioxidants in ICSI and IMSI

Also included is a new chapter reviewing the physiological role of reactive oxygen species in sperm function.

Practical for clinicians and researchers alike, "Antioxidants in Male Infertility" contains all of the need-to-know information about these cutting-edge topics in reproductive medicine.

There is no clearer testament to the importance and efficacy of in vitro fertilization in the treatmentof the infertilepatient than the fact that over one million babies have been born since its clinical introduction in 1978. The successof this worldwideendeavorhas evolvedto treat some of the formerly most intractable forms of infertility and requires individuals with different skills and insights whose activities are often compartmentalized into clinical, laboratory and research functions. The intent of Essential lVF is to present current issues in clinical IVF that encompass the varied activities of those engaged in this enterprise. By integrating clinical, basic research and laboratory-related aspects of human reproduction, readers with diverse interests should obtain a more complete understanding of the impact, importance and inter-relatedness of each in the progress of infertility treatment, and an appreciation of whether emerging technologies will or should contribute to this progress in the near future. The topics selected for this volume include research that has begun to explain the origins of differential follicular, gamete, embryo and uterine competence, and specific laboratory procedures and protocols that may have important clinical implications forthe generation ofdevelopmentally viable embryos. Human embryoresearchoverthe past 25 years has notonly confirmed that the developmental potential of each embryo is unique, but more importantly, demonstrated how genetic and nongenetic factors for sperm and oocyte determineembryo competencewell before fertilization. Several chapters deal with the origins of normal and compromised gametes and how those with high competence can be identified and isolated for fertilization.

This concise, truncated version of Nagy, Varghese and Agarwal's Practical Manual of In Vitro Fertilization is comprised of select practical chapters for a portable, affordable and up-to-date resource. Building and Managing an IVF Laboratory covers a variety of topics, including: - Setting up and running an IVF laboratory - IVF laboratory equipment and culture systems - Organization of the IVF unit - Licensing and regulation in the ART laboratory - Quality control and troubleshooting Practical for both clinicians and researchers alike, Building and Managing an IVF Laboratory brings together all of the need-to-know information about these important topics in reproductive medicine.

In this worldwide survey, Clive Gamble explores the evolution of the human imagination, without which we would not have become a global species. He sets out to determine the cognitive and social basis for our imaginative capacity and traces the evidence back into deep human history. He argues that it was the imaginative ability to 'go beyond' and to create societies where people lived apart yet stayed in touch that made us such effective world settlers. To make his case Gamble brings together information from a wide range of disciplines: psychology, cognitive science, archaeology, palaeoanthropology, archaeogenetics, geography, quaternary science and anthropology. He presents a novel deep history that combines the archaeological evidence for fossil hominins with the selective forces of Pleistocene climate change, engages with the archaeogeneticists' models for population dispersal and displacement, and ends with the Europeans' rediscovery of the deep history settlement of the Earth.

This concise, truncated version of Zini and Agarwal's Sperm Chromatin: Biological and Clinical Applications in Male Infertility and Assisted Reproduction offers select, clinical chapters for a handy, more affordable, state-of-the-art resource. Sperm Chromatin for the Clinician addresses such vital issues as: -Male subfertility and sperm chromatin damage -Aging and sperm DNA damage -Cancer and implications for sperm quality -Environmental factors -Cryopreservation and sperm DNA integrity -Postnatal effects of sperm chromatin damage Practical for clinicians and researchers alike, Sperm Chromatin for the Clinician contains all of the need-to-know information about this cutting-edge topic in reproductive medicine. "

This concise, truncated version of Parekattil and Agarwal's" Male Infertility: Contemporary Clinical Approaches, Andrology, ART & Antioxidants" is the first resource dedicated solely to clinicalissues of infertility. With select chapters that will prove invaluable to the reproductive medicine clinician, "Male Infertility for the Clinician"addresses issues like:

- Diagnosis and management of male infertility conditions such as varicocele, ejaculatory duct obstruction and congenital epididymal obstruction

- New approaches to Klinefelter's syndrome

- A concise structured approach to the genetics of male infertility

- Management of cancer patients (oncofertility) and ethical considerations in special male infertility circumstances

-New advances in biomaterials for reconstruction and new robotic-assisted microsurgical techniques

Practical for clinicians and researchers alike, "Male Infertility for the Clinician"contains all of the need-to-know information about these cutting-edge topics in reproductive medicine.

This book is a point-of-care resource for effective sexual and reproductive healthcare for patients of all ages, sexual orientations, gender identities and medical backgrounds in the primary care setting. This useful guide is divided into three parts, and other than part three, which deals exclusively with transgender and gender diverse patients, all content will relate to patients of all gender identities. Part one presents sexual and reproductive health (SRH) using a lifespan approach, including chapters on pediatrics, adolescents and young adults, adults, and older adult patients. Part two presents an approach to common SRH issues that span multiple age groups, including contraception and family planning, sexually transmitted infections and cancer screenings as well as sexual and reproductive health in the setting of common medical conditions. Part three is dedicated to sexual and reproductive health for transgender and gender non-binary patients, including psychosocial, medical, surgical and legal aspects of health. This book provides primary care clinicians with a framework for providing effective sexual and reproductive healthcare to patients of all ages, sexual orientations and gender identities in a way that is inclusive, focuses on health, and addresses the needs unique to specific populations.

Historically, sperm have been seen as simply a mechanism of transferring a haploid set of chromosomes to the oocyte. However, data from assisted reproduction therapies (ART) have demonstrated that in many couples the sperm appears to be responsible for abnormal embryogenesis. Recent advances in genetic and epigenetic techniques have identified key mechanisms by which the sperm, and the DNA carried by the sperm, can affect early embryonic development. Paternal Influences on Human Reproductive Success examines the genetic and epigenetic influences on embryogenesis, as well as practical clinical factors related to the male contribution to reproductive success. It also provides 'cutting edge' data and analysis of recent evaluations of the role of advanced paternal age, environmental influences and lifestyle factors on male reproductive fitness, making this an invaluable text for physicians treating patients for infertility, recurrent pregnancy loss, and developmental anomalies, as well as basic scientists studying embryogenesis and spermatogenesis.

Biology of Menopause presents the proceedings of an international symposium held from September 10-13, 1998 in Newport Beach, CA. The proceedings review current knowledge and explores future research directions on the biologic changes of the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis across the menopausal transition and the associated changes in physiologic systems outside of the HPO axis, including the brain, the musculoskeletal and cardiovascular systems. Additionally, chapters present new methods of study and emerging areas of research.

Founded in 1914, the Department of Embryology of the Carnegie Institution of Washington has made an unparalleled contribution to the biological understanding of embryos and their development. Originally much of the research was carried out through experimental embryology, but by the second half of the twentieth century, tissue and cell cultures were providing histological information about development, and biochemistry and molecular genetics have taken center stage. This final volume in a series of five histories of the Carnegie Institution of Washington provides a history of embryology and reproductive biology spanning a hundred years. It provides important insights into the evolution of both scientific ideas and the public perception of embryo research, concluding with a reflection on current debates.

This practical 2003 handbook provides an extremely comprehensive and highly illustrated guide to micromanipulation techniques in assisted conception in a clinical setting. It includes detailed, illustrated descriptions of all the common micromanipulation systems currently in use in IVF laboratories around the world and clearly explains how to optimise their successful use. The volume covers state-of-the-art techniques including intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), and procedures such as assisted hatching and the blastomere biopsy (for preimplantation genetic diagnosis PGD). Valuable information on troubleshooting the potential mechanical and technical difficulties that can arise is provided to help all the practitioners of these techniques, including trainee embryologists and consultant obstetricians, and technicians and scientists involved in animal transgenesis and cloning. It will undoubtedly be of immense value to all doctors and scientists working with assisted reproductive technologies.

How and to what extent have Islamic legal scholars and Middle Eastern lawmakers, as well as Middle Eastern Muslim physicians and patients, grappled with the complex bioethical, legal and social issues that are raised in the process of attempting to conceive life in the face of infertility? This path-breaking volume explores the influence of Islamic attitudes on assisted reproductive technologies (ARTs) and reveals the variations in both the Islamic jurisprudence and the cultural responses to ARTs.

Ever wondered what's really going on in your body as you age? Can you really eat to beat cancer or prevent heart disease? These questions and more are answered in Eat Better, Live Longer, helping you make achievable, sensible, science-based changes to your diet from day one. Discover the secrets of long life from centenarians around the world, and explore the 10 simple but meaningful adaptations you can make both to what you eat and to how you eat to follow in their footsteps. A four-week eating plan, with over 110 nutrient-packed recipes, helps you learn to make smarter choices about foods that can reduce your risk of certain diseases and lessen the effects of others. Use this new-found knowledge together with details on how each part of your body changes as you age and which nutrients you need to support support all-round health, helping you live a longer, happier life. Future-proof your life with this science-based superfood approach to discovering what is really happening to your body as you are aging.

The phenomenon of bleeding has been shown to appear in up to 22% of all pregnancies and is associated with significant maternal and fetal morbidities, and even mortality. Although vaginal bleeding occurs mainly during the first trimester, it can appear at any stage of pregnancy and in the postpartum period. This sometimes life-threatening event requires an extensive work-up in order to recognize its cause and establish a rapid and effective therapeutic approach. This book is a comprehensive appraisal of this critical condition. It draws on evidence-based data and brings together, in a single volume, updated information on all aspects of pregnancy-related bleeding. A global group of interdisciplinary experts contributed chapters on: bleeding during early pregnancy (early pregnancy loss, ectopic pregnancy, gestational trophoblastic disease, and cancer of the reproductive tract during pregnancy); bleeding in late pregnancy (preterm delivery, placental abruption, placenta previa, vasa previa and uterine rupture); and postpartum hemorrhage.

Originally published in 2006, this book provides an in-depth account of trophoblast: the tissue derived from the fertilised egg that nourishes and protects the developing fetus. The cells of the trophoblast have many unique qualities, and exhibit great variability across different species. It has a fascinating role in the development of the placenta and as a regulator during early growth of the embryo. These aspects are all fully covered as well as studies on why it is not rejected by the mother as 'foreign' tissue. Disorders of trophoblast during development also manifest themselves in several clinical conditions during pregnancy, including gestational trophoblastic disease and pre-eclampsia. From stem cells through to epigenetics, implantation and X-chromosome inactivation, there is a lot to be learned about trophoblast, this volume provides a detailed summary of knowledge regarding the subject.

Making a Good Life takes a timely look at the ideas and values that inform how people think about reproduction and assisted reproductive technologies. In an era of heightened scrutiny about parenting and reproduction, fears about environmental degradation, and the rise of the biotechnology industry, Katharine Dow delves into the reproductive ethics of those who do not have a personal stake in assisted reproductive technologies, but who are building lives inspired and influenced by environmentalism and concerns about the natural world's future. Moving away from experiences of infertility treatments tied to the clinic and laboratory, Dow instead explores reproduction and assisted reproductive technologies as topics of public concern and debate, and she examines how people living in a coastal village in rural Scotland make ethical decisions and judgments about these matters. In particular, Dow engages with people's ideas about nature and naturalness, and how these relate to views about parenting and building stable environments for future generations. Taking into account the ways daily responsibilities and commitments are balanced with moral values, Dow suggests there is still much to uncover about reproductive ethics. Analyzing how ideas about reproduction intersect with wider ethical struggles, Making a Good Life offers a new approach to researching, thinking, and writing about nature, ethics, and reproduction.

IVF is now established worldwide as a clinical service. Units are striving to improve their success rates, and many treatments are being advocated as 'yet another breakthrough'. The purpose of this book is to help clinicians to evaluate each of these new treatments. Each chapter is written by a recognized international expert in the field and the chapters are short and succinct, summarizing the latest evidence-based information for each topic and treatment. Sections cover patient selection and preparation, the role of AIH before IVF, stimulation, monitoring, laboratory techniques, embryo transfer, ancillary treatments and assessment of results. How to Improve your ART Success Rates: An Evidence-Based Review of Adjuncts to IVF is essential reading for all clinicians working with infertility and assisted reproduction, and is also a valuable addition to any medical library.

The development and selection of ovarian follicles is one of the most active areas of contemporary reproductive research. Relevant experimental work extends from laboratory rodents, across a wide range of domestic species, to human clinical studies, especially as related to problems of fertility and in vitro fertilisation. This 2003 volume provides comprehensive coverage of the field, integrating research findings from animal and human studies and condensing the vast published literature into a meaningful and digestible physiological account which highlights the key role played by the oocyte in influencing all stages of follicular development.