Spermatology

Book excerpt: The analysis of ejaculate, known as the spermiogram, is the crucial investigative technique in the andrological check-up for childlessness. Althoug other impor tant factors such as medical history, physical examination, hormone analysis and tests, biochemical, microbiological, immunological, and genetic tests, and histological and histochemical investigations must all be considered before a final assessment can be made of male fertility, the spermiogram is the guiding factor in estimating the prospects of fertility. Furthermore, the improvement in insemination techniques in recent years and the development of in vitro fertilization have enhanced the importance of the accurate analysis of sperm morphology and function. In view of the multiplicity of andrological investigative techniques listed above, urologists, gynecologists, physicians specializing in endocrinology and immunology, general practitioners, pathologists, and dermatologists are routin ely involved in semen analysis today. We hope in this book to address people working in all these different medical specialities. Having regard for the requirements of daily practice, we will intentionally restrict ourselves to the spermiogram, which we hope to present step by step by means of a large number of illustrations. A substantial part of the book is devoted to the morphological assessment of normal and pathological forms of spermatozoa and other cellular elements, in the form of generously illustrat ed atlas. Dr. Rovan has given us outstanding assistance in preparing the majori ty of photomicrographs.