Male Infertility

Twenty five years ago the subject of male infertility scarcely existed in urological practice. At that time semen analysis was a rather cursory microscopic test, the scope of endocrine and hormone tests was limited and debate about the relevance of a varicocele was only just beginning. Since then, progress has owed about as much to sociological change as medical progress. Acceptance that problems of fertility should be shared between partners is now no longer questioned and the willingness of both husband and wife to recognise this and to seek help has been an important change in clinical practice. This book is concerned primarily with male infertility and it will be evident that this is now a substantial subject in its own right. However a need for a broad prospective in this subject is emphasised by a chapter on female assessment as well as reference to female aspects of infertility wherever relevant so that the reader remains properly aware that this subject is a problem for the couple. Because our knowledge of this subject is changing so rapidly, Mr Hargreave has separated the contents into two parts. The first is concerned with basic biological problems and investigations with a full evaluation of current knowledge and methods. Also, details of new techniques that offer the prospect of real progress are a special attraction in this section.