The Primate Endometrium

The Endometrium is devoted to a comprehensive multi-disciplinary account of the uterine endometrium. This book is the first to define the regulatory biological interrelationships between epithelial and stromal cell phenotypes, endothelial cells, extracellular matrix and immunobiological elements. It highlights their relevance to clinical conditions

It is now recognized that defective placentation in the human is a cause of many pregnancy complications, such as spontaneous abortion, preterm labor and delivery, pre-eclampsia, intrauterine growth restriction, fetal death and abruptio placenta. These clinical disorders can often have long-term consequences into adulthood, causing cardiovascular disease, obesity and diabetes for the newborn as well as an increased risk of premature death in the mother. This is the first book to be entirely focused on the placental bed, bringing together the results of basic and clinical research in cell biology, immunology, endocrinology, pathology, genetics and imaging to consolidate in a single, informative source for investigators and clinicians. Its core aim is to explore new approaches and improve current clinical practice. This is essential reading for clinicians in obstetric, cardiovascular and reproductive medicine.

The structural, biochemical and clinical events related to menstruation, implantation, parturition, endometriosis, abnormal uterine bleeding and endometrial cancer are discussed in this comprehensive volume on the biological functions of the endometrium. New topics, such as the biochemical and molecular mechanisms regulating maternal embryonic interaction, are explored, and gynecologic endoscopy and therapeutic tools are discussed. The proceedings of the first conference is also available from the Academy, as volume 622 of The Annals of The New York Academy of Science.

Almost a quarter of a century has elapsed since Cellular Biology of the Uterus, the predecessor of the present volume, was planned. During that period, especially in the decade since the publication of the last edition of Biology of the Uterus, new information in the field has been so voluminous as to require major revisions of most of the chapters, the addition of several new chapters, and the collaboration of a second editor to facilitate the selection of appropriate experts as authors. As in prior editions, a balance has been struck between classical biology and modem biochemistry and biophysics. The inclusion of basic histological and embryo logical information provides a necessary, though often lacking, background for the protein chemist and molecular biologist and a bridge between the cell biologist and clinician. Thus, major practical problems in human reproduction, such as the genesis of endometrial carcinoma and the cause of the initiation of labor, may be approached on a firm scientific footing. The current edition deals primarily with the biology of the uterus itself (comparative and human) rather than placentation or pregnancy and thus is a synthesis of data derived from many techniques, both conventional and modem. As it is clearly beyond the competence of anyone scientist to prepare such a text on the basis of personal knowledge and experience, the aid of 22 distinguished scientists was enlisted.

The Eighth Brook Lodge Conference on Problems of Reproductive Physiology is the latest in a series of small meetings held over 18 years. The topics for trlese meetings have reflected the changing interests and backgrounds of the organizers. The recent rapidly increasing quantity of information on the uterine endometrium and its continuing relevance to fertility control stimulated the organizers to focus the 1979 workshop on this topic. The first four speakers provided a histological background for the molecular and biochemical studies described subsequently. The interaction of biochemist, physiologist, pathologist and physician as they focus their thoughts and talents on this limited area of the body is apparent in the dis cussions of presentations. This workshop was planned to provide in sight and a sense of proportion for the participants. For the reader, the record of the proceedings should serve as a useful reference to the state of the art in this area of research. The uterine endometrium is central in the successful implantation and development of the embryo. Examination of the physical relation ships, biochemical interactions and hormonal influences in this tissue could further advance the understanding of this pivotal tissue in the reproductive process. The depth of the understanding of endo metrial physiology should be reflected in our ability to better con trol this reproductive endpoint and to treat its dysfunction. The efforts of many individuals made these Proceedings possible.