Male Reproductive Function and Semen: "Themes And Trends In Physiology, Biochemistry And Investigative Andrology"

To present a coherent and meaningful survey of scientific research endeavour in an area that has expanded as fast as physiology and biochemistry of reproduction in the male is no mean task these days. No less prodigious than the growth of knowledge of male reproductive function has been the rate at which the outpouring of publications on this subject has continued since the appearance of 'The Biochemistry of Semen and of the Male Reproductive Tract' in 1964. Since cyclopaedic treatment of this vast literature did not appeal to us, we have made no attempt either to rehash the material contained in that book or to enlarge the bibliography beyond the nearly 3500 references included in the present treatise. At the same time, whilst writing, we felt strongly that to advance, it is necessary to understand the past, and for this reason we have not hesitated to refer (especially in the introductory chapter) to a number of those fundamental early discoveries in which today's knowledge is deeply and firmly rooted. Front Matter....Pages i-xiv Male Reproductive Function and the Composition of Semen: General Considerations....Pages 1-37 Methodological Guidelines in the Study of Male Reproductive Organs....Pages 39-54 Collection, Examination, Quality Rating and Storage of Ejaculated Semen....Pages 55-81 Testis and Testicular Semen....Pages 83-138 Epididymis and Epididymal Semen....Pages 139-159 Vas Deferens and Vasectomy....Pages 161-170 Secretory Function of the Prostate, Seminal Vesicle, Cowper’s Gland and Other Accessory Organs of Reproduction....Pages 171-193 Biochemistry of Spermatozoa: Chemical and Functional Correlations in Ejaculated Semen, Andrological Aspect....Pages 195-268 Biochemistry of Seminal Plasma and Male Accessory Fluids; Application to Andrological Problems....Pages 269-336 Effects of Pharmacological Agents: Andrological Aspects, Drug Abuse, Therapeutic Agents, Male Contraceptives, Occupational Hazards....Pages 337-364 Back Matter....Pages 365-495