1;Preface to the 3rd Edition;5 2;Preface to the 2rd Edition;6 3;Preface to the 1st Edition;8 4;Contents;10 5;Contributors;13 6;Chapter 1;16 6.1;Scope and Goals of Andrology;16 6.1.1;1.1 Definition of Andrology;16 6.1.2;1.2 Andrology, Gynecology, Reproductive Medicine: Reproductive Health;16 6.1.3;1.3 Infertility, Subfertility, Sterility, Fecundity: Definition of Terms;18 6.1.4;1.4 The Infertile Couple as Target Patients;18 6.1.5;1.5 Prevalence of Infertility;20 6.1.6;1.6 Evidence-Based Andrology;22 6.1.7;1.7 Male Contribution to Contraception;24 6.1.8;References;24 7;Chapter 2;26 7.1;Physiology of Testicular Function;26 7.1.1;2.1 Functional Organization of the Testis;26 7.1.1.1;2.1.1 Interstitial Compartment;26 7.1.1.1.1;2.1.1.1 Leydig Cells;27 7.1.1.1.2;2.1.1.2 Macrophages. Lymphocytes and Nerve Fibers;29 7.1.1.2;2.1.2 Tubular Compartment;29 7.1.1.2.1;2.1.2.1 Peritubular Cells;29 7.1.1.2.2;2.1.2.2 Sertoli Cells;30 7.1.1.2.3;2.1.2.3 Germinal Cells;31 7.1.1.2.4;2.1.2.4 Kinetics of Spermatogenesis;34 7.1.1.2.5;2.1.2.5 Apoptosis and Spermatogenesis;36 7.1.2;2.2 Hormonal Control of Testicular Function;36 7.1.2.1;2.2.1 Functional Organization of the Hypothalamo-Pituitary System;36 7.1.2.2;2.2.2 The Kisspeptin-GPR54 System;37 7.1.2.3;2.2.3 GnRH;39 7.1.2.3.1;2.2.3.1 Structure of GnRH;39 7.1.2.3.2;2.2.3.2 Secretion of GnRH;41 7.1.2.3.3;2.2.3.3 Mechanism of GnRH Action;42 7.1.2.4;2.2.4 Gonadotropins;43 7.1.2.4.1;2.2.4.1 Structure of Gonadotropins;43 7.1.2.4.2;2.2.4.2 Secretion of Gonadotropins;44 7.1.2.4.3;2.2.4.3 Mechanism of Action of Gonadotropins;45 7.1.2.5;2.2.5 Endocrine Regulation and Relative Importance of LH and FSH for Spermatogenesis;46 7.1.2.6;2.2.6 Local Regulation of Testicular Function;48 7.1.2.6.1;2.2.6.1 Steroid Hormones;48 7.1.2.6.2;2.2.6.2 Insulin-like Factor 3;49 7.1.2.6.3;2.2.6.3 Growth Factors;50 7.1.2.6.4;2.2.6.4 Immune System Factors;50 7.1.3;2.3 Testicular Descent;51 7.1.4;2.4 Vascularization, Temperature Regulation and Spermatogenesis;52 7.1.5;2.5 Immunology of the Testis;52 7.1.6;2.6 Testicular Androgens;54 7.1.6.1;2.6.1 Synthesis of Androgens;55 7.1.6.2;2.6.2 Testosterone Transport in Blood;57 7.1.6.3;2.6.3 Extratesticular Metabolism of Testosterone;58 7.1.6.4;2.6.4 Mechanism of Androgen Action;59 7.1.6.5;2.6.5 Biological Actions of Androgens;64 7.1.6.6;2.6.6 Androgen Secretion and Sexual Differentiation;67 7.1.7;References;69 8;Chapter 3;75 8.1;Physiology of Sperm Maturation and Fertilization;75 8.1.1;3.1 Introduction;75 8.1.2;3.2 Development of the Ability of Spermatozoa to Fertilize Eggs During Epididymal Maturation;76 8.1.2.1;3.2.1 Anatomy of the Human Epididymis and Sperm Transport Through It;76 8.1.2.2;3.2.2 Epididymal Secretion and Absorption;77 8.1.2.3;3.2.3 Sperm Maturation in the Human Epididymis: Fertilizing Capacity;78 8.1.2.3.1;3.2.3.1 Evidence for Sperm Maturation in Man from Surgical Anastomoses;78 8.1.2.3.2;3.2.3.2 Evidence for Sperm Maturation in Man from Assisted Reproduction Techniques;79 8.1.2.4;3.2.4 Sperm Maturation in the Human Epididymis: Morphology and Motility;79 8.1.2.4.1;3.2.4.1 Changes in Sperm Morphology;79 8.1.2.4.2;3.2.4.2 Initiation of Sperm Motility;79 8.1.2.4.3;3.2.4.3 Acquisition of Co-ordinated Sperm Motion;79 8.1.2.4.4;3.2.4.4 Regulation of Sperm Motility;81 8.1.2.4.5;3.2.4.5 Consequences of Increased Vigor of Mature Spermatozoa;81 8.1.2.5;3.2.5 Sperm Maturation in the Human Epididymis: Interaction with the Egg;81 8.1.2.5.1;3.2.5.1 Development of Sperm-Zona Binding Capacity;81 8.1.2.5.2;3.2.5.2 Development of the Sperm's Ability to Undergo an Induced Acrosome Reaction;82 8.1.2.5.3;3.2.5.3 Development of the Sperm's Potential to Fuse with the Vitellus;82 8.1.2.5.4;3.2.5.4 Condensation of Sperm Chromatin and Ability to Form Male Pronuclei;82 8.1.2.5.5;3.2.5.5 Development of the Sperm's Ability to Contribute to a Healthy Embryo;82 8.1.2.6;3.2.6 Sperm Storage in the Epididymis;83 8.1.2.6.1;3.2.6.1 Storage Capacity;83 8.1.2.6.2;3.2.6.2 Sperm Quiescence and Protection;83 8.1.2