Preface

Preface Volume 43 of Vitamins and Hormones provides further informative reviews for researchers and scholars in endocrinology and nutrition. Several of the discussions are of considerable health and social significance. G. Hodgen’s article describes the potential and biology of in uitro fertilization and the endocrine manipulations favoring success with the method. Ongoing work with this system provides a remarkable opportunity to study processes controlling fertilization and gestation, but engender, as well, profound social and ethical responsibilities. E. Sims has developed a monumental work on energy balance in normal and pathophysiologic states. Obesity may represent the result of metabolic and satiety patterns at one time important for survival. At least in some types of obesity, impairments in ability to adapt to excessive caloric intake have been identified. L. Elsas and D. McCormick discuss genetic variations in vitamin and nutrient requirements. Such variations imply that what is satisfactory intake for some subjects is inadequate for others of differing genetic makeup. This article relates to fat-soluble vitamins; an article in the subsequent issue will deal with water-soluble vitamins. F. George and J. Wilson review the hormonal control of sexual development. The classical postulate of Jost appears to stand the test of time-chromosomal sex dictates gonadal sex which in turn governs phenotypic sex. Multiple hormones and many genes, not simply those of the sex chromosomes alone, are involved in sexual differentiation in man. J. Shull and J. Gorski provide an analysis of mechanisms involved in the control of prolactin synthesis. I n uitro regulation by estrogen is entirely at the transcriptional level. I n uzuo regulation is not yet so completely characterized. D. Cohn, R. Kumarasamy, and W. Ramp review biosynthetic processing and secretory processes in the elaboration of products from the parathyroid gland. A particularly challenging problem persists-unraveling the role of PSP (chromogranin) protein in the secretory processes of many endocrine cells. ix

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PREFACE

To the staff of Academic Press, we convey our thanks for expert help in preparing this volume.

G. D. Aurbach Donald B. McCormick