Preface

Infertility is a major public health concern in developing and developed nations. In certain societies infertility carries a social stigma and is one of the key factors for breakup of families. The revolution created by assisted reproductive technologies (ART) in infertility treatment has given hope to many people. The quality of diagnosis plays an important role in helping to deliver proper therapy to those individuals or couples struggling with infertility. Therefore diagnostic tests and their interpretations play a vital role. Andrologists and gynecologists have helped to identify and guide patients to the proper treatment of infertility. Hormonal assays, hormonal stimulation, retrieval of healthy follicles, in vitro fertilization, and implantation and growth of embryos require a team of experts to coordinate, advocate, and advance treatment. The promising field of stem cell therapy and storage banks for sperm, oocytes, and embryos have opened new avenues of treatment and galvanized the field of reproduction. This book reviews, relates, and redeems the field of infertility treatment. It also discusses the ethical concerns related to ATR, including existing dilemmas and psychological concerns of patients.

 The introductory chapter by Dhastagir Sultan Sheriff gives a bird's eye view of infertility, assisted methods of reproduction, diagnosis, and therapy, with a short note on sperm banks.

The chapter on assisted reproductive technologies and adverse outcomes by Gorgui Jessica deals with recent trends regarding the use of medically assisted methods of reproduction and perinatal outcomes, which include cognitive effects of ART.

 The chapter on oocyte donation by Aslan Mehmet explains the nature, protocol, and present trends of the field. Oocyte donation is one of the necessary arms of ART. It is usually recommended for women with poor ovarian reserve possibly due to primary or secondary ovarian failure. It can be due to surgical causes, damage following chemotherapy or radiotherapy, or certain genetic disorders associated with gonadal dysgenesis, like Turner syndrome. It is reported that oocyte donation is one of the most successful techniques resulting in pregnancy, particularly in perimenopausal women.

The chapter on cryopreservation of oocytes and embryos by Dhali Arindam discusses the technique, evolution, and development of cryopreservation to benefit infertile patients. Cryopreservation of oocytes and embryos involves appreciating the multiple contexts in which cryopreservation may be applied. The chapter enables one to understand the relative impact of cryopreservation on the quality of oocytes and embryos. It allows the reader to grasp the concept of selection/attrition as it applies to the efficiency of ART. It also provides insights into the relative balance of advantages and disadvantages associated with oocyte and embryo cryopreservation in different clinical conditions. **The chapter on Cryopreservation of Oocytes and Embryos** by Dhali Arindam discusses the technique, evolution and the development to benefit human infertile patients.

Finally, the chapter on psychosocial aspects of infertility by Prof. Hocaogu Cleek explains the psychosocial domains of care in an infertility patient. One of the earlier concerns was how to incorporate psychosocial care into the infertility treatment protocol. The chapter discusses taking patient preferences and needs into account, which most often include wanting a good interaction with staff, receiving continuous care from the same doctor, receiving information that is understandable, and having a good relationship with the clinic and healthcare personnel. **The chapter on Psychosocial aspects of infertility by Prof. Hocaogu Cleek** explains the psychosocial domains of care in an infertility patient.

> **Dr. Dhastagir Sultan Sheriff**  Reprolabs, Chennai, India

> > Faculty of Medicine, Benghazi University, Benghazi, Libya
