The papers in this volume were presented at the Symposium on Cell Biology of the Uterus held December 12, 1986, on the NIH campus, Bethesda, MD. This was the first of a series of meetings that will be held in con junction with the annual meeting of the American Society for Cell Biology. The uterus is now recognized as an extremely complex organ whose nor mal function is orchestrated by a delicate procession of cellular and molecular events that investigators are beginning to unravel for the first time. Powerful new analytical methods and the tools of molecular biology are now providing exciting breakthroughs in our basic understanding of uterine structure and function. Thus, the program of this meeting was or ganized to cover recent developments in uterine cell biology including the mechanism of hormone action, control of gene expression by nuclear acceptor sites and nuclear receptors, role of growth factors, endometrial cell kine tics during the menstrual cycle, regulation of specific protein synthesis and secretion, decidual cell function, and the role of early pregnancy pro teins. The material presented in this volume is concerned not only with how hormones and growth factors prepare the endometrium for implantation of the blastocyst, but it also details the recent characterization and identification of specific marker proteins secreted in response to hormone action and early pregnancy.

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

The first edition of The Endometrium was a landmark publishing event in reproductive biology and medicine. Many important developments have occurred in the field, and this new edition has been substantially updated and expanded to include new topics with an improved format. With the addition of several new authors and topics, the Second Edition of The Endometrium has developed new coverage of transcriptomics, stem cells, genetics and in-utero programming. Other new areas strengthen to include: placentology in human and animal models, taking account of the tremendous current interest in the maternal-fetal interface and its role in pregnancy pathology, neonatal and adult health. The layout has also been improved in order to aid browsing and cross-referencing. This is an invaluable up-to-date innovative text that will appeal to a worldwide spectrum of academic and professional readers including postgraduate and postdoctoral researchers in reproductive biology. As well as trainees and health care professionals in obstetrics and gynecology and allied disciplines such as assisted reproduction and oncology. A panel of internationally respected authors has been carefully chosen for their insight, clear, fair writing style and scholarly perspective.

The papers in this volume were presented at the Symposium on Cell Biology of the Uterus held December 12, 1986, on the NIH campus, Bethesda, MD. This was the first of a series of meetings that will be held in con junction with the annual meeting of the American Society for Cell Biology. The uterus is now recognized as an extremely complex organ whose nor mal function is orchestrated by a delicate procession of cellular and molecular events that investigators are beginning to unravel for the first time. Powerful new analytical methods and the tools of molecular biology are now providing exciting breakthroughs in our basic understanding of uterine structure and function. Thus, the program of this meeting was or ganized to cover recent developments in uterine cell biology including the mechanism of hormone action, control of gene expression by nuclear acceptor sites and nuclear receptors, role of growth factors, endometrial cell kine tics during the menstrual cycle, regulation of specific protein synthesis and secretion, decidual cell function, and the role of early pregnancy pro teins. The material presented in this volume is concerned not only with how hormones and growth factors prepare the endometrium for implantation of the blastocyst, but it also details the recent characterization and identification of specific marker proteins secreted in response to hormone action and early pregnancy.

The 15th International Symposium of the Japan Human Cell Society on Cell and Molecular Biology of Endometrial Carcinoma brought together leading researchers from Japan and around the world. The papers collected here are the work of twenty-two leaders in their field and are organized in ten major categories. The first section, in vitro experimental systems, takes up the pioneering work by Kuramoto in 1968 and Nishida in 1980 in establishing, respectively, the HEC-1 and hormone-responsive endometrial carcinoma cell lines. Other topics include apoptosis, proliferation, and growth factors; cell cycle regulators; signaling pathways; angiogenesis; carcinogenesis; hormones and hormone receptors; genes and gene expression; endometrial receptivity; and chemo-resistance and -sensitivity. Presenting the latest work in the cell and molecular biology of endometrial carcinoma, this volume is a valuable resource for gynecologists, pathologists, and molecular biologists.

The placenta is an organ that connects the developing fetus to the uterine wall, thereby allowing nutrient uptake, waste elimination, and gas exchange via the mother's blood supply. Proper vascular development in the placenta is fundamental to ensuring a healthy fetus and successful pregnancy. This book provides an up-to-date summary and synthesis of knowledge regarding placental vascular biology and discusses the relevance of this vascular bed to the functions of the human placenta.

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.

New techniques in cellular and molecular biology have increased our understanding of the mechanisms controlling reproductive function in the female. Emphasizing these new techniques, Molecular Biology of the Female Reproductive System provides a state-of-the-art review of local regulatory mechanisms that control reproductive processes. Stressing the interface of endocrinology, immunology, and cell biology, this book concentrates on the autocrine, paracrine, and endocrine systems that regulate both the functions of the ovary and uterus and the interaction between the early embryo and the mother. - Covers the mechanisms controlling reproductive function in the female - Offers a cellular and molecular approach to the control of reproductive function - Focuses on the ovary and uterus, and includes a discussion of the early embryo, including - Hormonal control of folliculogenesis and luteal function - Cell-cell interactions in the follicle - Role of cytokines in regulating steroid and protein hormone production - Endocrine receptors and mechanisms in ovulation - Cell biology of the oviduct and uterus - Migratory cells - Paracrine regulation - Hormones of the trophectoderm and early placenta - Interaction between trophectoderm and endometrium - Provides extensive references