The success of Assisted Reproductive Technology is critically dependent upon the use of well optimized protocols, based upon sound scientific reasoning, empirical observations and evidence of clinical efficacy. Recently, the treatment of infertility has experienced a revolution, with the routine adoption of increasingly specialized molecular biological techniques and advanced methods for the manipulation of gametes and embryos. This textbook inspired by the postgraduate degree program at the University of Oxford guides students through the multidisciplinary syllabus essential to ART laboratory practice, from basic culture techniques and micromanipulation to laboratory management and quality assurance, and from endocrinology to molecular biology and research methods. Written for all levels of IVF practitioners, reproductive biologists and technologists involved in human reproductive science, it can be used as a reference manual for all IVF labs and as a textbook by undergraduates, advanced students, scientists and professionals involved in gamete, embryo or stem cell biology.

Foreword
Preface
Part I. Mammalian Reproductive Physiology:
1. Sexual reproduction: an overview Suzannah A. Williams
2. Sexual development Andy Greenfield
3. Male reproductive tract and spermatogenesis Joaquin Gadea, John Parrington, Junaid Kashir and Kevin Coward
4. Female reproductive tract and oocyte development Suzannah A. Williams
5. Ovulation and regulation of the menstrual cycle Farah El-Sadi, Anas Nader and Christian Becker
6. Key events in early oogenesis affecting oocyte competence in women Geraldine Hartshorne
7. Regulation of gonadal function Nicolas Vulliemoz and Christian Becker
8. Reproductive endocrinology Enda McVeigh
9. Reproductive immunology Ian Sargent
10. Sperm biology and maturation Bill Holt and Jane Morrell
11. Fertilization and egg activation Junaid Kashir, Celine Jones, John Parrington and Kevin Coward
12. Early embryogenesis Shankar Srinivas and Tomoko Watanabe
13. Human organogenesis Autumn Rowan-Hull
Part II. Infertility:
14. Global perspectives in reproductive health and fertility Janis Meek and Stephen Kennedy
15. Fertility control and contraception Enda McVeigh
16. Causes and investigations of male and female infertility Tim Child
17. Treatment of male and female infertility Tim Child
18. Social aspects of using reproductive technology Renate Barber and Alison Shaw
Part III. Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART):
19. From Pythagoras and Aristotle to Boveri and Edwards: a history of clinical embryology and therapeutic IVF Jacques Cohen
20. Legal, ethical and regulatory aspects of assisted reproductive technology (ART) Ingrid Granne and Lorraine Corfield
21. Quality management in assisted reproduction Janet Currie and Jo Craig
22. Regulation of assisted conception in the UK James Lawford Davies and Alan R. Thornhill
Part IV. Assisted Reproductive Technology: Skills, Techniques and Present Status:
23. Fundamental laboratory skills for clinical embryologists Celine Jones, Junaid Kashir, Bianka Seres, Jane Chan, Kornelia Ewald and Kevin Coward
24. Semen analysis and preparation Aysha Itani and Karen Turner
25. Superovulation protocols Janelle Luk and Pasquale Patrizio
26. Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) Caroline Ross and Karen Turner
27. Embryo culture Karen Turner
28. Embryo biopsy Tracey Griffiths
29. In vitro maturation of oocytes Gustavo German and Tim Child
30. Morphological expressions of human egg and embryo quality Mina Alikani
31. Cryopreservation in assisted reproduction Jo Craig and K. Turner
32. Reproductive surgery Enda McVeigh
33. Pre-implantation genetic diagnosis Dagan Wells and Elpida Fragouli
34. Pre-implantation genetic screening Dagan Wells
35. The biology and therapeutic potential of embryonic stem cells Richard Gardner
36. Ethical considerations for clinical embryology Paul R. V. Johnson
Index