In the past thirty years, significant advances have been made in the field of reproductive biology in unlocking the molecular and biochemical events that regulate spermatogenesis in the mammalian testis. It was possible because of the unprecedented breakthroughs in molecular biology, cell biology, immunology, and biochemistry. In this book entitled, Molecular Mechanisms in Spermatogenesis, a collection of chapters has been included written by colleagues on the latest development in the field using genomic and proteomic approaches to study spermatogenesis, as well as different mechanisms and/or molecules including environmental toxicants and transcription factors that regulate and/or affect spermatogenesis. The book begins with a chapter that provides the basic concept of cellular regulation of spermatogenesis. A few chapters are also dedicated to some of the latest findings on the Sertoli cell cytoskeleton and other molecules (e.g., proteases, adhesion proteins) that regulate spermatogenesis. These chapters contain thought-provoking discussions and concepts which shall be welcomed by investigators in the field. It is obvious that many of these concepts will be updated and some may be amended in the years to come. However, they will serve as a guide and the basis for investigation by scientists in the field.

Tiivistelmä: Ohjelmoituneen solukuoleman molekulaariset mekanismit miehen siittiönkehityksen aikana.

This book is a printed edition of the Special Issue "Mechanisms of Mitotic Chromosome Segregation" that was published in Biology

Although much is known with respect to blood cell formation and function, many new concepts in the areas of the regulation of hematopoietic stem cell commitment and the subsequent survival, proliferation, and differentiation of progenitors have been elucidated in the last five years. Our understanding of the microenvironment where stem cells reside and commit to distinct blood types (the niche) has grown significantly in recent years. Furthermore, blood cells have been used as the key model system to study microRNA function and the role of microRNAs in the transformation of normal cells into cancer cells. The current volume Molecular Basis of Hematopoiesis, edited by Amittha Wickrema & Barbara Kee, provides the most recent developments in the area in addition to a chapter on the utilization of basic science knowledge for the treatment of blood diseases. Each chapter in this book has been written and edited by faculty in major academic and research institutions around the world, who are pushing the frontiers of research in this important area.

The roles of mouse Y chromosome genes in spermatogenesis -- Male meiotic sex chromosome inactivation and meiotic silencing -- Insights into SRY action from sex reversal mutations -- The TSPY gene family -- Structure and function of AZFa locus in human spermatogenesis -- RBMY and DAZ in spermatogenesis -- Neurotrophic factors in the development of the postnatal male germ line -- Dickkopf-like 1-a protein unique to mammals that is associated both with formation of trophoblast stem cells and with spermatogenesis -- Antisense transcription in developing male germ cells -- The spermatogonial stem cell model -- Transplantation of germ cells and testis tissue -- Orthodox and unorthodox ways to initiate fertilization and development in mammals -- Pathogenesis of testicular germ cell tumors -- Origin of testicular germ cell neoplasia: the role of sex chromosomes.