The first edition of "Testosterone: Action, Deficiency, Substitu tion" was published in 1990. Since then our understanding of the hormone that turns males into men has tremendously increased. Therefore, the editors felt that a second extended edition of the book is warranted in order to summarize established and recent findings in the field and to present the reader with an up-to-date is reflected by the textbook. The increased mass of knowledge growth of the volume from 14 to 20 chapters. In the updated edition the biochemistry and metabolism of androgens have been complemented by extensive information on the molecular biology of the androgen receptor and its disorders. The key role of testosterone in spermatogenesis is now better de fined. We have a more complete understanding of the psychotro pic effects of testosterone and know so much about the different target organs and functions that individual chapters deal with testosterone and the prostate, lipids and the cardiovascular sys tem, hair, bones and muscles. The general chapter on pharmacol ogy and clinical uses of testosterone, in particular in male hypo gonadism, is extended by pharmacokinetic studies on testoster one preparations and individual substitution modalities using testosterone esters as well as implants and advanced trans dermal applications. The physiologic basis and possible clinical applica tions of testosterone in non-gonadal diseases, in male senes cence, in hormonal male contraception and in transsexuals are discussed. The last chapter describes the role of "investigative" steroid biochemistry applied to tracking anabolic steroid abuse."

Investigations into the mechanisms of spennatogenesis, sperm matura tion and fertilization provide the basis of our understanding of male re productive physiology. Since in recent years molecular and cellular en docrinology has provided particularly important contributions to our knowledge, the European Workshops on Molecular and Celluar Endo crinology of the Testis, held regularly during even years since 1980, have become a prominent forum for researchers in the field to discuss recent findings and exchange new ideas. The most recent of these Testis Workshops, the 7th, was held on May 5 - 10, 1992 at Castle Elmau in the Bavarian Alps. The main lectures of this Workshops form the core of this book. In order to provide a broader view of the current status of male re production research, this volume also contains the proceedings of the Schering Foundation Workshop on "Basic Mechanisms of Reproduc tion and Male Fertility Control" which was held in Berlin on October 31 to November 2, 1991. The topics of the two meetings were planned to complement each other. By combining the proceedings of both workshops, it became possible to produce a book that covers a wide spectrum of current highlights in male reproduction research and pro vides the reader with an up-to-date review of the field. The timeliness of the book is emphasized by the fact that it was al ready available when the 7th European Testis Workshop took place.

Diese definitive Anleitung wurde von Grund auf uberarbeitet und auf den neuesten Stand gebracht fur alle Laboratorien, die sich mit der Analyse des menschlichen Ejakulates beschaftigen. Das Handbuch liefert fundamentale Labortechniken fur die Diagnose der mannlichen Infertilitat. Der Text beschreibt die Zusammenstellung eines konventionellen Samenprofils anhand von standardisierten Protokollen fur verschiedene fakultative diagnostische Verfahren. Solche Techniken sind unentbehrlich fur die Evaluierung infertiler Paare sowie der Fertilitat von Mannern, deren Spermienproduktion durch potentielle mannliche Kontrazeptiva oder toxische Substanzen unterdruckt wird. Auch fur die Gerichtsmedizin und kunstliche Insemination sind sie von Interesse. Vorangehende Auflagen dieses Manuals haben sich auf dem Gebiet der Erforschung und Behandlung der mannlichen Fertilitat etabliert; diese Neuauflage fuhrt diese Tradition fort und wird als Standard fur zukunftige strengere Massstabe dienen."