Infertility

Infertility affects about 15% of couples in western societies. In addition to isolation, infertility challenges women's sense of identity, expectations of their life trajectory and their perceived value in society. This book presents current research on the genetic factors, treatment risk and benefits, and social and psychological consequences of infertility. Topics include the traditional Chinese medicine approach to fertility management; adverse outcomes of assisted reproduction techniques; the impact of follicular fluid components and embryo-endometrial cross-talk on the oocyte quality or embryo viability; iatrogenic damage incurred during fertility treatment upon gamete competence and embryonic viability; genetic factors of male infertility; animal models for studying female infertility; and treatment of endometriosis associated with infertility.