Preface

This book is the result of contributions from many authors and researchers across the globe. Divided into four sections, this volume covers all the relevant clinical aspects of infertility. The first section elaborates on the recent understanding of infertility, which has developed as a result of newer imaging tools, serum hormone detections, and chemical analysis. The second section describes the recent developments in diagnosis and treatment of infertility. The third section covers the ethical and legal aspects of assisted reproductive technology (ART). The fourth section gives recent insights into contraception.

The first chapter introduces the tools used to comprehend the physiology of reproduction. It elaborates the male factor and describes multiple environmental and epigenetic factors affecting spermatozoa and seminal plasma. The chapter also explains the etiologies and pathophysiology of diminished sperm quality. Since the etiology and pathogenesis is segregated and multifactorial, there are multitudes of resulting sperm defects. The second chapter describes these pathophysiological factors in detail. The third chapter explains the recent use of novel markers of semen analysis. The fourth chapter examines the biophysical and serum markers of oocyte reserve and quality. It also elaborates on the rational basis of drugs used for controlled hyper stimulation.

The second section discusses the newer low molecular weight ligands of gonadotropins. It explains newer laboratory techniques of omics to help readers optimize ART results. It also presents the preparation and use of autologous platelet-rich plasma to improve endometrial receptivity in recurrent implantation failures. The chapter on recurrent implantation failure helps us to understand the intricacies of embryo– endometrial interactions. The chapter also provides meticulous detail regarding the practical procedure of in vitro maturation of oocytes. The in vitro culture of oocytes is likely to open new horizons of hope for cancer patients and patients who have repeated ovarian hyper stimulation syndromes. This technology also carries potential benefits of reducing cost and time.

The chapter on bioethics weighs the ethical and legal aspects of assisted reproduction in light of religious beliefs and provides insights into how far is far enough.

This book is an attempt to identify and standardize technology that is likely to improve ART outcomes. The basic scientific knowledge is valuable, pure, and self-correcting. Future studies are likely to provide new insights, developing these new concepts even further. We wish to express our gratitude to all the authors for their time, effort, and commitment in sharing their knowledge and skills. The authors have painstakingly prepared chapters and modified and proofread drafts despite all the laboratory work. Our sincere thanks to Ms. Mia Vulovic for communicating with all authors and singlehandedly coordinating this entire effort to ensure a final book of quality. We have to acknowledge the support of our publisher IntechOpen for their continuous guidance and support. Finally, we

**II**

**Chapter 8 133**

**Chapter 9 145**

**Chapter 10 159**

**Chapter 11 177**

Ethics and Laws **195**

**Chapter 12 197**

Human Contraception **217**

**Chapter 13 219**

Proteomics as a Future Tool for Improving IVF Outcome

Autologous Platelet-Rich Plasma Infusion to Improve Pregnancy

Recurrent Pregnancy Loss: Investigations and Interventions

*by Casey Zeffiro, Silvina Bocca, Helena Russell and Mitchel C. Schiewe*

In Vitro Maturation and Fertilization of Oocytes: From Laboratory

Human Contraceptives: Current Status, Sperm Antigen Inhibitors

*by Dahril Dahril, Widi Nugroho and Aulanni'am Aulanni'am*

*by Adrian Ellenbogen, Einat Shalom Paz, Medeia Michaeli, Anna Smirnova* 

*by Vinicius M. Lopes, Murilo C. Souza-Oliveira, Amanda Evelyn C. Goulart, Eduardo S. Pimentel, Natalia I. Zavattiero Tierno, Tatianna Q. F. Ribeiro, Cristina T. Medina, Valéria L. Mathias Castro, Leilane G. Noleto Lima,* 

*by Goran Mitulović and Tanja Panić-Janković*

Outcome in Suboptimal Endometrium: A Review

*Anna Luiza M. Souza and Jean Pierre B. Brasileiro*

Bioethics of Assisted Reproductive Technology

Bench to Clinical Practice

*by Justo Aznar and Julio Tudela*

and an Insight into PCSK4

*and Yona Barak*

**Section 3**

**Section 4**

acknowledge our families with whose support and patience we have been able to complete this book.
