Molecular Biology in Reproductive Medicine

Foreword. Preface. Acknowledgments. Editors' introduction. Section I - Molecular genetics: Introduction to molecular biology. Basic techniques in genetic analysis for molecular biology in clinical and reproductive medicine. Transgenic technology in animal reproductive processes: methods, interpretation and contributions. Section II - Cell biology: Polypeptide growth factors and their role in regulating the cell cycle. Apoptosis and its impact in clinical reproductive medicine. Molecular carcinogenesis. Section III - Hormone synthesis, action and signal transduction: Gonadotropin releasing hormone and the GnRH receptor. Studies of recombinant gonadotropins: intersection of basic science and therapeutics. Gonadotropin receptors. Synthesis of the sex steroid hormones: molecular and structural biology with applications to clinical practice. Steroid hormone receptors. Section IV - Gamete and embryo biology: Molecular biology of female gametogenesis. Molecular biology of male gametogenesis. Fertilization. Preimplantation embryo development. Implantation and endometrial function. Concepts in early embryonic patterning. Section V - Clinical genetics: The role of genetic counselling and infertility. Genetic counselling in reproductive disorders. Preimplantation in genetic diagnosis. Ethics of assisted reproduction: the case of preimplantation genetic diagnosis. Section VI - Genetics of adult reproductive dysfunction: Genetics of female reproductive dysfunction. Genetics of male reproductive dysfunction. Index.