Studies in Fertility and Sterility – serie

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.

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 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 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.