The Y Chromosome and Male Germ Cell Biology in Health and Diseases

The completion of the human genome and technological advances developed by the Human Genome Project have dramatically changed our understanding of the mechanisms underlying the development and differentiation of male germ cells, and our ability to investigate such mechanisms. This book is a timely document of advances made in the field of male gonad and germ cell research in the postgenomic era. The coverage includes the role of Y chromosome genes in male reproduction, gene expression in spermatogonial stem cells and male germ cells, and the regulation of germ cell genes in reproduction and in germ cell tumors. "The first six chapters ... focus on Y chromosome-specfic factors/functions, and on the role of the X chromosme and some of the autosomes during spermatogenesis"; the next three chapters "present new data" concerning growth and initiation factors, as well as mechanisms in the process of spermatogenesis ; the three chapters following discuss new technologies in the study of spermatogenesis, and the final two chapters present results of investigations of testicular germ cell tumors and the origin of germ cell neoplasia--foreword Presents a document of advances made in the field of male gonad and germ cell research in the postgenomic era. This work covers the role of Y chromosome genes in male reproduction, gene expression in spermatogonial stem cells and male germ cells, and the regulation of germ cell genes in reproduction and in germ cell tumors.