Mechanisms Concerned with Conception

This book presents summaries by specialists of subjects related directly or indirectly to conception. The first five papers deal with male and female germ cells-their production, protection, release, and early transport. Chapters follow on fertilization, transportation of the zygote, and implantation. Finally there is consideration of immunological phenomena relating to fertility and fertility control. Each chapter has an extensive bibliography, and there are author and subject indices. The book is a useful addition to the increasing number of important and current medical and biological reviews, a category which itself is beginning to be overwhelming. Treatment of each topic is careful and detailed, if not always inspired or concise. I was particularly interested in remarks regarding epididymal sperm transport (Risley), sperm migration in the female (Sobrero), and sperm storage at low temperature (White and MacLeod), but there is much else for students and investigators of the physiology of reproduction. Not the least useful product of the 1959 conference is a compendium of over 150 unanswered questions. Assembled by experts at the meeting and brought together in an appendix under the guidance of the indefatigable editor, the questions point directly to some of the gaps in current knowledge of mammalian, and particularly human, reproductive biology. It is a stimulating list.