Clinical physiology of human reproduction

The book provides comprehensive information on the physiology of the female and male reproductive system, which is important for understanding the development of germ cells, the process of fertilization and early embryonic development, with emphasis on the environment in which this development takes place.

In the first chapters the book deals with general principles of reproductive physiology, new findings in the cytophysiology of cells of the reproductive system, principles of hormonal control of reproductive functions, briefly recapitulates important facts about the development of reproductive cells, characterizes the environment, in which sperm development takes place, and describes this development. It also deals with the function of accessory sex glands and the importance of their secretion for sperm function. Attention is also focused on the mechanisms of erection and ejaculation. Furthermore, the development of oocytes in the ovary and its regulation, the course of recruitment and selection of ovarian follicles and the process of ovulation are described. This is followed by a description of the environment in which fertilization and early embryo development occurs. In the following chapters, the author writes about sperm capacitation and the process of fertilization, early embryo development in relation to the environment of the fallopian tube and uterus, and the process of implantation.

The last chapter describes the mechanisms of immunological tolerance of the embryo by the maternal organism and hormonal changes at the beginning of pregnancy.
The author of the book is a distinguished worker in reproductive medicine, university teacher and researcher. He was a member of the team that gave birth to the first test-tube baby in Czechoslovakia.

The book serves to acquire the knowledge necessary for the diagnosis and treatment of infertility, is intended for postgraduate training of gynaecologists, reproductive specialists, urologists, andrologists and physiologists, sexologists and will also be of interest to medical students and nurses.