In Vitro Fertilization: A Practical Approach PDF

Preface

The past three decades have witnessed significant advances in the field of assisted human conception. Following the remarkable perseverance and triumph of Robert Edwards, Patrick Steptoe, and Jean Purdy, numerous scientists and physicians from around the world have worked to develop more effective and safer procedures to treat infertile couples. Along with improvements in the areas of ovarian stimulation, embryo culture, and cryobiology, we have seen the introduction of assisted fertilization through intracytoplasmic sperm injection, the development of techniques to remove and perform genetic analysis on polar bodies or blastomeres, and the enhancement of methods for assessing the viability of the developing conceptus.

It is the aim of this book to not only to review the achievements of the biomedical community involved in assisted conception, but also to highlight ongoing and potential future treatments and procedures. Throughout this body of work is the premise that basic science often derives tremendous advances in medicine. This text also offers much practical information with which one can readily translate theory into clinical practice. To this end, the chapters found within have been written by acknowledged pioneers and experts in each respective area.

Together with the advancements in assisted human conception should come careful monitoring of outcomes, including the children conceived.

Outcomes research is well accepted by the reproductive biomedical community and is discussed within this text. While no single volume can adequately cover the enormity of this diverse field of reproductive medicine, this book will be of value to clinicians, cmbryologists, scientists, and all students of biomedical sciences.