Impending famine and a terrifying rate of consumption of natural resources are vital issues which have focussed public interest in the ecologic, social and political problems of ever increasing overpopulation in many countries of the world. As well as the vast material and intellectual expenditure lavished on family planning and birth control, the past decade has seen an immense research effort in the elaboration of improved methods of fertility control, both for men and for women. During the same period, however, research into the causes of male fertility disorders has proceeded with equal intensity, and a number of promising therapeutic approaches have become the subject of clinical trials. The wish of an individual or of a couple to have offspring is an absolute which requires no further justification, and there can be few challenges to a physician as essential as the spouses' predicament in a childless marriage. Only with a special knowledge of the function, pathology and pathophysiology of the reproductive system is he properly equipped to meet that challenge.

Even though artificial insemination is a simple technique that has been practiced for over a century, it has long been carried out under poor conditions due to an inadequate understanding of repro ductive physiology and antagonistic socio-ethical attitudes. Accor dingly, until fairly recently it was a medical act with a limited scientific basis which was practised more or less clandestinely. The development of semen preservation has totally changed the conditions of artificial insemination, especially in regard to flexibility and safeguards in its application. Although the use of fresh semen continues, it is now clear that the future of arti ficial insemination is closely linked to semen preservation. During the past two decades, semen banks have been developed in many countries. This has most often been the result of the initiative of individual physicians in either the private or public sectors. In France, a national system of semen banks (CECOS) was begun in 1973. Although there has been cooperation within this system in the areas of both research and management, a need to com municate and compare experiences with those from other countries was perceived. Thus, the first International Symposium on Artifi cial Insemination and Semen Preservation was planned and held in Paris, France in April 1979. Thirty-seven countries were represented byihdividuals from many concerned disciplines.

Bovine Reproduction is a comprehensive, current reference providing information on all aspects of reproduction in the bull and cow. Offering fundamental knowledge on evaluating and restoring fertility in the bovine patient, the book also places information in the context of herd health where appropriate for a truly global view of bovine theriogenology. Printed in full color throughout, the book includes 83 chapters and more than 550 images, making it the most exhaustive reference available on this topic. Each section covers anatomy and physiology, breeding management, and reproductive surgery, as well as obstetrics and pregnancy wastage in the cow. Bovine Reproduction is a welcome resource for bovine practitioners, theriogenologists, and animal scientists, as well as veterinary students and residents with an interest in the cow.

Andrology, a counterpart to gynecology, deals with the study of the male reproductive organs. Clinical andrology has been neglected primarily because of the lack of relevant, accurate laboratory methods for functional analysis, but in the last decade substantial progress has been made in the understanding of male reproductive biology. This progress has resulted from modern tech niques and instrumentation in microanatomy, immunology, neurophysiology, pathology, genetics, endocrinology, biochemistry, biophysics, urology and surgery. These studies are scattered in such a wide spectrum of journals that andrologists can hardly keep abreast of the advances. There have been numerous textbooks on the testes, male accessory organs and semen but the clinical aspects of andrology have not received similar emphasis. Since literature concerning clinical andrology is extensive and widely scattered in many different publica tions, we hope that a useful purpose will be served by summarizing the more pertinent material in a series of volumes which can be made readily available to students of andrology. It was decided that a series of specialized monographs should be devoted to clinics in andrology. These ten volumes of the series are an attempt to coordinate anatomical, physiological, biochemical, endocrinological, pharmacological and immunological aspects of the spermatozoa, testes, epi didymis and other accessory genital organs. Little is known about the effect of diet, diseases, environmental factors and drugs on male reproduction. The interest in developing new male contraceptive methods will stimulate research in andrology.

The specialty of fertility preservation offers patients with cancer, who are rendered infertile by chemo- and radiotherapy, the opportunity to realize their reproductive potential. This gold-standard publication defines the specialty. The full range of techniques and scientific concepts is covered in detail, and the author team includes many of the world's leading experts in the field. The book opens with introductions to fertility preservation in both cancer and non-cancer patients, followed by cancer biology, epidemiology and treatment, and reproductive biology and cryobiology. Subsequent sections cover fertility preservation strategies in males and females, including medical/surgical procedures, ART, cryopreservation and transplantation of both ovarian tissue and the whole ovary, and in-vitro follicle growth and maturation. Concluding chapters address future technologies, as well as ethical, legal and religious issues. Richly illustrated throughout, this is a key resource for all clinicians specializing in reproductive medicine, gynecology, oncology, hematology, endocrinology and infertility.

Artificial insemination is used instead of natural mating for reproduction purposes and its chief priority is that the desirable characteristics of a bull or other male livestock animal can be passed on more quickly and to more progeny than if that animal is mated with females in a natural fashion. This book contains under one cover 16 chapters of concise, up-to-date information on artificial insemination in buffalos, ewes, pigs, swine, sheep, goats, pigs and dogs. Cryopreservation effect on sperm quality and fertility, new method and diagnostic test in semen analysis, management factors affecting fertility after cervical insemination, factors of non-infectious nature affecting the fertility, fatty acids effects on reproductive performance of ruminants, particularities of bovine artificial insemination, sperm preparation techniques and reproductive endocrinology diseases are described. This book will explain the advantages and disadvantages of using AI, the various methodologies used in different species, and how AI can be used to improve reproductive efficiency in farm animals.

Intra-uterine insemination (IUI) is a widely used fertility treatment for couples with unexplained and male subfertility. Although it is less invasive and less expensive than l other treatment options such as in vitro fertilization, several factors affect its outcome. In addition, IUI remains controversial due to concerns about some of the possible aspects of treatment, including side-effects such multiple pregnancies. This comprehensive evidence-based book from an international IUI expert team explores all of these topics and provides clear guidelines for daily practice.