Andrology: Male Reproductive Health and Dysfunction

Abstract

E. Nieschlag and H. M. Behre. Andrology: Male Reproductive Health and Dysfunction. Second Edition, Springer-Verlag, 2001. ISBN 9-783540672241. The first edition of this comprehensive and authoritative text book on male reproductive health was published in 1996. With an authorship drawn principally from one of the world's leading units in male reproductive health research, it was not surprising that the text was comprehensive, lucid and characterized by a clear focus on clinical relevance. Given the enormous changes in clinical practice that have taken place in the 5 years or so since the first edition was published, the second edition is timely and welcome. As the authors themselves acknowledge in their preface, there has been exceptional progress in our understanding of the science of male reproductive dysfunction over this time, particularly with respect to molecular biology and molecular genetics, the evolution of a broad repertoire of techniques of assisted reproduction, focused on the male partner, and substantial developments in the management of erectile dysfunction. The book remains refreshingly evidence based, and is characterized by clear layout, and high quality illustrative material, both clinical and diagrammatic. The greater use of colour in the second edition is certainly an enormous asset. The early chapters of the book focus on the basic scientific background to clinical andrology, including sections on comparative biology, testicular physiology and the physiology of the gamete and fertilization. The clinical approach to the patient with male reproductive disorders is thoroughly covered, and disorders at the hypothalamo pituitary, testicular and efferent duct levels are covered in sequence. In looking at therapy, appropriate prominence is given to the important role of assisted fertilization in the management of disorders of male reproductive function, alongside the more standard issues of androgen replacement therapy and semen cryopreservation. The book closes with sections on contraception, the ageing male and an important contribution on the ethical aspects of the field. The authors are to be commended on achieving a text which combines high scientific quality with high clinical relevance, whilst still in a very readable and approachable format. It can be recommended most strongly to clinical trainees in human reproductive medicine, as well as to established clinicians.