Infertility

The authors of this book have a goal-to describe the management of infertility from the perspective of physiology and anatomy gone awry. To accomplish this goal, the chapters devoted to the causes of infertil- ity begin with a description of the normal structure and function of the organ or system causing the infertility. We believe that under- standing the normal will result in rational and effective diagnosis and treatment of infertility. Our intent is that this book be a useful re- source for those who care for infertile couples. For an infertile couple, success is the delivery of a normal and healthy infant. Chapters that describe the causes and treatment of habitual abortion and the reproductive performance of previously infertile couples emphasize the hazards that exist between conception and birth. Our environment is one of these hazards, one that may also affect reproduction before conception. A chapter is devoted to a de- scription of environmental agents that affect reproduction, the mech- anisms of their effect, and methods to predict those present and future environmental agents which might also affect reproduction.