Kenneth W. McKerns - Böcker

Near the end of September 1980, the contributors to Hormonally Active Brain Pep tides: Structure and Function met to discuss their chapters for the monograph. This meeting was the eighth sponsored by the International Foundation for Biochemical Endocrinology and was held at the Hotel Plakir in Dubrovnik, Yugoslavia. Several months were allowed after the meeting for the contributors to revise their manuscripts and for editing. Professor Dr. Vladimir Pantie and the Serbian Academy of Sciences and Arts were in charge of the local arrangements and social activities. The Foundation is grateful for the splendid job that was done and for the out- standing scientific, cultural, and social activities. I thank the Serbian Acad- emy of Sciences and Arts and the Yugoslav Council of Academies for spon- soring my stay in Yugoslavia. I greatly enjoyed giving lectures, visiting laboratories, and discussing research projects in a number of centers in Yugoslavia. A diverse group of topics was presented in Dubrovnik concerning cer- tain brain peptides.The topics included "Structure, Function, and Confor- mation of Neuropeptides," "Distribution of Peptides in the Brain," "Reg- ulation of the Release of Peptide Hormones," "The Active Center of Gonadotropins," "In Vitro Synthesis of Hypothalamic Hormones," "Stud- ies on Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone," "Studies on the Biosynthesis, Release, and Degradation of LH-RH," "Genesis and Properties of Pitu- itary ACTH, Prolactin, and Growth Hormone Producing Cells," "Precur- sors to Oligopeptide Hormones," and "Stress Effects on Peptide Hormone Synthesis.

In September of 1977 scientists from many countries met at the Asticou Inn in Maine to present and discuss papers written especially for this monograph. The presentations were informal and directed to the special interests of the audience in order to generate discussions. The authors, many of whom are pioneers and leaders in their field, then had the oppor­ tunity to revise their contributions, which were brought together with the edited discussions to form this volume. The basic research studies presented here are important because of the essential role of gonadotropins in regulating the ovary and testis. This monograph will therefore be of interest to those concerned with fertility regulation, population control, possible new methods for contraception, and to those concerned with reproduction in domestic animals. Re­ searchers in other fields may find this monograph useful, as it has been de­ termined that gonadotropins are secreted by many tumors and are im­ plicated in many cancers. Human choriogonadotropin also seems to be found in most, if not all, cells of the human body. The significance of this, however, is unknown.

This monograph represents the eighth sponsored by the International Society for Biochemical Endocrinology. The topics should be of interest to basic research scientists, medical practitioners, and students of repro­ ductive biology. It complements our monograph published in 1979 on Structure and Function of the Gonadotropins. The monograph is organized in ten topic areas relative to the general theme of reproduction and contraception. There are several chapters in each area. Obviously, all aspects of each area could not be covered. An attempt was made to seek interesting basic research ideas and concepts that might in the future be applicable to fertility regulation. The topics are: interactions in gonadotropin regulation; GnRH analogues as contra­ ceptive agents; receptors in cellular localization of hormones; uterine and mammary receptors; germ-cell regulation and secretory proteins; control mechanisms and metabolic regulations; hCG peptides and anti­ sera as antifertility agents; ieutinization, oocyte maturation, and early pregnancy; steroids and cell growth; and finally, prostaglandins and cell function. The studies encompass many disciplines and techniques in anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, and endocrinology in animals and humans, both in vitro and in vivo. A conference of contributors was held in Maine at the Asticou Inn in Northeast Harbor during the week of September 9-13, 1979. The chapters as written for the monograph were presented for discussion by the participants, who were selected for their knowledge of, and contri­ butions to, this area of scientific investigation.

The 13th Annual Meeting of the Foundation was held in Edinburgh during September 1985. The subject was neuroendocrine molecular biology which brought together leading scientists in the fields of molecular genetics, neuroendocrinology and developmental neuro- biology. The conference was most stimulating and as the Proceedings show, novel data presented was of the highest quality. The topics presented were grouped under the headings;, "Molecular Biology of the Nervous System", "IlIRH - New Perspectives', "Neuropeptides", "Oxytocin and Vasopressin", "Transcriptional and Post-Translational Regulation of Neuropeptide Synthesis", "Neuroendocrine Mechanisms at the Cellular Level", "Receptors - Cellular and Molecular Biology" and "Clinical Applications". The

The beautiful town of Cavtat near Dubvronic, Yugoslavia was the site of the twelfth meeting of the International Foundation for Biochemical Endocrinology. It was sponsored by the Serbian Academy for Sciences and Arts and by the Foundation. The Croatia Hotel in Cavtat was a splendid place for a meeting. The presentation of the subject matter relating to "Neuroendocrine Correlates of Stress" was interesting and informa- tive. The topics included many forms of stress, their mediators and responses. They included: releasing factors; neurotransmitters in the hypothalamus; role of noradrenal ine; the reaction of the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenocortical axis to stress; immunological stress; thermal stress; immobil ization stress; peptides in shock; stress-induced prolactin; stress and acupuncture; stress and behavior; spinal cord transection and stress; electroconvulsive stress; neuroendocrine cells and stress; protein kinase as a signal transducer; the effects of constant 1 ight and darkness on the pineal; sleep, stress and ovarian function; and finally, hormonal response to exercise. Subsequently, the papers presented were rewritten for inclusion in this monograph.The Chairmen for the sessions at Cavtat were K. McKerns and Stefan Manolov, V. Chong-Li and L. Rakic, S. Feldman and R. Mil in, M. Lee and V. Liposits. The next meeting of the Foundation will be held in Edinburgh near the end of September, 1985. The topic will be "Neuroendocrine Molecular Biology" with Professor George Fink as Honorary Chairman of the local organizing committee.