Search

There are several types of damage that can be found in the male gamete. Genetic damage in spermatozoa can originate during spermatogenesis, or it can originate during transit in both male and female genital tracts. Damage can also be due to ageing, environmental or iatrogenic conditions, as well as to the protocols to cryopreserve and to select spermatozoa in assisted reproduction techniques. The purpose of this book is to provide a comprehensive resource for all possible DNA damages in sperm, the relation to fertility and infertility, and possible transgenerational heritable effects.

Spermatozoa is the basic human male germ cell. This gametocyte plays an important role in fertilization. In the past five years, new improvements in diagnosis have allowed us to assess male fertility potential with a new perspective studying with demonstrated role in sperm physiology. Furthermore, it is demonstrated that infertile men have high levels of sperm DNA damages and a small percentage of spermatozoa from fertile men also possess detectable levels of DNA damage. This book examines several of the factors that may be involved in sperm chromatin and DNA anomalies, including intra and extra testicular factors. Furthermore, sperm capacitation is a complex physiological process that involves biochemical, biophysical, molecular and metabolic modifications of all sperm domains. Some important events related to the capacitation process of sperm is examined as well. The biological role of the proteasome during sperm capacitation and the acrosome reaction and its relationship with protein phosphorylation and dephosphorylation during these processes is explored as well. Other chapters in this book highlight the pivotal role of transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analysis in the diagnosis of human sperm pathologies, the barrier methods currently available to men for regulating their fertility, a discussion of the current understanding of gene transfer to the testis, a new perspectives for the study of mycoplasmal and chlamydial infections of human spermatozoa and a discussion of the present current knowledge on the mechanisms, molecules and cell signaling involved in sperm activating ability.

Originally published in 2006, this is a comprehensive and definitive account of the human male gamete. The volume summarizes many unique and revealing characteristics of the sperm cell. It provides a detailed overview of human sperm production, maturation and function, and looks at how these processes affect and influence fertility, infertility and ART. The volume thus provides a detailed review of the most important research and developments, augmented with pertinent references. This book will appeal to all practitioners and scientists in reproductive medicine and in particular to clinical scientists, graduate and post-graduate scientists, and laboratory personnel.

Many technologies exist for men and women to preserve fertility, and advances are being made all the time. Sadly, this information is not always well known in the oncology community and is, therefore, not presented to all eligible cancer patients. Reflecting the latest advances in the field and offering practical information useful to clinicians and scientists, Preservation of Fertility addresses new concepts, progress in reproductive techniques, novel treatment modalities, pregnancy after cancer treatment, patient care issues, and professional responsibilities. Tulandi and Gosden have assembled an outstanding group of internationally recognized specialists to address the entire spectrum of issues regarding fertility preservation. They begin with a discussion of age and fertility, epidemiology of cancer survival and fertility, and the vulnerability of the reproductive system to radiotherapy and chemotherapy. The book includes coverage of methods for preserving fertility, new developments in the laboratory for preserving gametes and gonadal tissue, and the psychosocial, legal, and ethical issues of fertility preservation. A powerful knowledge tool for the medical community, this pioneering book provides a complete understanding of the techniques for preserving fertility.