In Vitro Fertilization, Embryo Transfer and Early Pregnancy is undoubtably the most exciting and onwardly progressing field in reproductive medicine today. It forms the major subject matter of this the second volume of the Proceedings and the first book of Related Communication papers given at the XI International Federation of Fertility Societies World Congress on Fertility and Sterility held in Dublin, Ireland from June 26th to July 1st 1983. The papers have been grouped into closely allied topics covering sequentially in three parts: Follicle and Ovum in the Human, Follicle and Ovum in the Animal Model, and Semen and Spermatozoa. Preceding a timely reminder on Ethical and Legal Aspects of IVF are some of the remarkable clinical results now been obtained throughout the world. The final section concerns various aspects of Pregnancy in Animals and Humans and is included in this volume because of its close relationship to the main subject matter. Related Communications sessions often produce the largest amounts of up-to-date information to be given on a particular subject during a Congress. IFFS Dublin '83 proved to be no exception. So although scientific and medical endeavour will ensure that knowledge and progress in the field will soom overtake many of the conclusions reached in these papers, nevertheless we hope you will agree in the merit of producing such a record of the state of the art at this time. Robert F. Harrison John Bonnar William Thompson Dublin 1983.

This volume contains the papers on family planning research which were presented at the XIth World Congress on Fertility and Sterility held in Dublin, Ireland in June, 1983 under the auspices of the International Federation of Fertility Societies. These papers were presented during the related communi cations sessions of the Congress and have been brought together into a special volume which will be of major interest to those concerned with family planning. Section 1, deals with the area of natural family planning, determination of the fertile period and effects of lactation. Steroid contraception, vaginal and intrauterine contraception, abortion and sterilization are included in Sections 2-4. Social aspects of fertility control are covered in Section 5 and the final section contains studies of the effects of gossypol as a male contraceptive. This volume brings together important new knowledge in the area of family planning, clarifies some of the problems and should stimulate research on the many unresolved issues in this vitally important area."

This monograph contains a selection of papers presented at the Xlth World Congress of Fertility and Sterility (Dublin, 1983); the central theme is ovarian function and treatment of its disorders. Cross-cultural research provides international congresses with their unique quality due to the world-wide exchange of views; we think this aim has been achieved and reflected in this book. During the past decade significant advances have been made in our understanding of the events surrounding human ovulation leading to the development of an increasing range of effective therapeutic agents and the more logical use of existing drugs. As a result infertile patients with disordered ovulation can now anticipate a more favourable out come. In addition more sophisticated diagnostic methods have revealed the presence of minor defects in ovarian function in some patients previously labelled as 'unexplained infertility'. The identification of such problems can only lead to further therapeutic success. The contents of this volume reflect many different aspects of the study of ovulation including the monitoring of both follicular growth and the luteal phase, the role of prolactin and the treatment of ovulatory dysfunction. We are sure that the wide range of topics will evoke continued interest in these subjects. We extend our thanks to the invited speakers for their excellent contributions in lecture and essay form and express our gratitude for the unfailing help we received from the staff of MTP Press in the preparation of this volume."

This book is a compilation of edited papers which were presented at the XIth World Congress of Fertility and Sterility held in June 1983 in Dublin, Ireland. Although it has long been known that male factors are responsible in at least 30% of infertile couples only recently have concerted efforts been made on the part of urologists, gynaecologists and basic scientists to identify these factors more precisely. The nature of spermatogenesis is complex but application of various scientific methods have at last opened up new and promising approaches to our understanding of this subject. Clinical results however have been depressing; the majority of treatments lack realistic evaluation and are initiated in hope rather than with a sound scientific basis. We anticipate that this volume will in some small way correct these deficiencies. The papers have been grouped into related topics. The first section deals with the evaluation of the spermatozoa and includes a critical assessment of the recently introduced zona-free hamster egg test of sperm function. Further sections include the biochemistry of gonadal function and the immunology of male reproduction; most papers are concerned with studies in the human. The clinical sections cover medical and surgical approaches to treatment and the final section deals with various aspects of AID practice.

The International Federation of Fertility Societies XI World Congress on Fertility and Sterility took place in Ireland at the Royal Dublin Society from the 26th June-1st July, 1983. Some 1900 delegates repre senting 54 countries attended the social and scientific programme in glorious weather that showed off the unsurpassable rare beauty of Dublin and Ireland, so often hidden in mist and rain. The book begins with the full inaugural address to the Conference by Dr A. Kessler, Head of the WHO Special Programme of Research, Development and Research Training in Human Reproduction. It then records scientific contributions presented in the main themes of the Congress, followed by synopses of deliberations from workshops held during the course of the meeting. Papers from four special symposia are included, which acknowledge the debt IFFS Dublin '83 owes the World Health Organization and our colleagues in the pharmaceutical industry. The large number and excellent standard of the related communications is such that they deserve publication in separate appropriate volumes. These are already in preparation."

This is the second compilation of papers given during the Related Communica- tions Sessions of the XIth International Federation of Fertility Societies World Congress held on June 26th-July 1st 1983 at the Royal Dublin Society, Dublin, Ireland. Except for Part I, where results of animal experimentations are gathered together, the volume is concerned solely with studies in the human. The role of infection and endometriosis in the aetiology and treatment of the tubo- uteroperitoneal factor in infertility are the concern of Parts II and III. Diagnostic and therapeutic aspects of tubal disease are covered in Parts IV and V and the book ends with Part VI, chapters on the uterus and vagina. Laparoscopy and microsurgical techniques have undoubtedly transformed the diagnostic and therapeutic outlook in this area of infertility. This book shows you how far such techniques have progressed and how much there is yet to do. Dublin, 1983 Robert F. Harrison lohnBonnar William Thompson xi List of Contributors 5. A. Z. BADAWY J. ABE Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine Upstate Medical Center Kawarmachi-Hirokogi, Kamikyoku, Kyoto 750 E. Adams Street JAPAN 602 Syracuse, NY 13210 USA M. ALACHMAR "Marika Eliadi" Maternity Hospital 2 Helena Venizelos Square M. BERG Athens 115 21 Department of Clinical Sciences GREECE University of Tampere Teiskontie 35 W. ALBRICH SF-33520 Tampere Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology FINLAND University of Munich Marchioninistrasse D-8000 Munich 70 G.

After 20 years of oral contraceptive (OC) use, epidemiological data and scientific research have led to the now accepted evidence that the most important effect produced by these drugs on humans, other than the prevention of unwanted pregnancy, is an increase in the risk of cardiovascular disease. Because the incidence of cardiovascular disease is also related to disturbances of the lipoprotein metabolism, it appears to be opportune to analyse the different aspects of the interaction between female hormones and lipoprotein (LP) metab- olism. SERUM LIPOPROTEINS: METABOLISM In the serum, lipids (cholesterol (C), triglycerides (TG), and phospho- lipids) are associated with peptides called apoproteins: apoproteins A-I, A-11, B, C, etc. The chylomicrons and the very low density lipoproteins (VLDL) are rich in TG and contain the Apo B-48; the low density lipoproteins (LDL) are rich inC and contain the Apo B- 100; and the high density lipoproteins (HDL) are rich in proteins (Apo A-I, Apo A-Il) and phospholipids.