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The testis, volume IV. Advances in physiology, biochemistry and function
256
illustrated in black and white as in colour. The book is clearly written, easily read and its material successively and logically described. Despite some repetition of material, the book on the whole is an excellent and unique textbook in the field of reproduction of domestic animals, and can be recommended to each veterinarian w h o is occupied with these problems, particularly to those in practice, but also to students to extend their knowledge. M. VARADIN
(Saro~evo, Yugoslavia)
THE TESTIS
The Testis, Volume IV. Advances in Physiology, Biochemistry and Function. A.D. Johnson and W.R. Gomes (Editors). Academic Press, London, 1977, 637 pp. $ 81.25 (Australian), ISBN 0-123-86604-9. It is now almost 10 years since the appearance of the first three volumes of the monumental work The Testis edited by A.D. Johnson, W.R. Gomes and N.L.VanDenmark. The task of updating such a valuable and comprehensive source of information on male reproduction must have been daunting but the two remaining editors seem to have resolved the problem admirably by producing this fourth volume devoted to the more rapidly expanding areas of research into the testis. Although research on the male has regrettably tended to lag behind the female, we have certainly progressed a long way from Aristotle's view that the testes were merely weights to keep the vital tubes in place! The 22 chapters cover the subjects of (1) testicular development, (2) blood supply, (3) fluid secretion, (4) the blood--testis barrier, (5) action of FSH, (6.) inhibin, (7) steroidogenesis, (8) prostaglandlns, (9) biogenic amines, (10.) interstitial tissue, (11) Sertoli cells, (12} ~enzyme markers, (13) lipids, (14) the mediastinum, (15) the fete testis, (16) the cremasteric muscle, (17) autoimmune reactions, (18) temperature and seasonal influences, (19) aging, (20) cadmium, (21) effect of environmental agents and (22) pharmacological agents and male fertility. The list of 31 contributors is impressive and most have achieved an international reputation in their particular speciality. It includes such well known authorities as A.W. Blackshaw, M.J. Free, A.D. Johnson, W.R. Gomes, J.H. Leathern, B.P. Setchell, the Steinbergers and G.M.H. Waites -- all of whom contributed to the first three volumes although n o t necessarily on the same subject and welcome newcomers to this volume such as Nancy Alexander, Larry Ewing, Martti Kormano, S. J. Main, A.R. Means and W.B. Neaves. Although the selection of material may strike some as rather arbitrary it does fairly accurately reflect the move away from the mere cytological aspects of spexmatogenesis to the more recent and exciting concern with the mole-
-
257
cular mechanisms controlling testis function and the way it may be influenced by external factors. As might be expected with such a diverse galaxy of talent, the length of chapters and the style of expression varies considerably but the general standard is high. The book is handsomely illustrated with fine electronmicrographs and clear, helpful line drawings but it was astonishing to see a contrary spermatoon reversing out of the rete testis into the ductuli efferentes in Fig. 1 of Chapter 3! A rather surprising omission in Chapter 8 is any reference to the very high levels of prostaglandins in ram semen. The chapter on autoimmune reactions in the testes is timely and the information on the effect of environmental and pharmacological agents will be welcomed by those concerned with more applied aspects, particularly in relation to the development of an oral contraceptive for males. This book constitutes the most m o d e m and authoritative in-depth review of the endocrine and exocrine functions of the testis and its complex interrelations. As the editors point out in their preface, the fourth volume -- like its predecessors -- is not intended for the popular reader. It can, however, be recommended to all seeking detailed knowledge of the testicular function of a broad group of species and it will be of great interest to advanced students and all professional male chauvinists working in the fields of biology, endocrinology, reproduction, animal production and fertility control. I AN G. WHITE (Sydney, N.S. W., Australia)
illustrated in black and white as in colour. The book is clearly written, easily read and its material successively and logically described. Despite some repetition of material, the book on the whole is an excellent and unique textbook in the field of reproduction of domestic animals, and can be recommended to each veterinarian w h o is occupied with these problems, particularly to those in practice, but also to students to extend their knowledge. M. VARADIN
(Saro~evo, Yugoslavia)
THE TESTIS
The Testis, Volume IV. Advances in Physiology, Biochemistry and Function. A.D. Johnson and W.R. Gomes (Editors). Academic Press, London, 1977, 637 pp. $ 81.25 (Australian), ISBN 0-123-86604-9. It is now almost 10 years since the appearance of the first three volumes of the monumental work The Testis edited by A.D. Johnson, W.R. Gomes and N.L.VanDenmark. The task of updating such a valuable and comprehensive source of information on male reproduction must have been daunting but the two remaining editors seem to have resolved the problem admirably by producing this fourth volume devoted to the more rapidly expanding areas of research into the testis. Although research on the male has regrettably tended to lag behind the female, we have certainly progressed a long way from Aristotle's view that the testes were merely weights to keep the vital tubes in place! The 22 chapters cover the subjects of (1) testicular development, (2) blood supply, (3) fluid secretion, (4) the blood--testis barrier, (5) action of FSH, (6.) inhibin, (7) steroidogenesis, (8) prostaglandlns, (9) biogenic amines, (10.) interstitial tissue, (11) Sertoli cells, (12} ~enzyme markers, (13) lipids, (14) the mediastinum, (15) the fete testis, (16) the cremasteric muscle, (17) autoimmune reactions, (18) temperature and seasonal influences, (19) aging, (20) cadmium, (21) effect of environmental agents and (22) pharmacological agents and male fertility. The list of 31 contributors is impressive and most have achieved an international reputation in their particular speciality. It includes such well known authorities as A.W. Blackshaw, M.J. Free, A.D. Johnson, W.R. Gomes, J.H. Leathern, B.P. Setchell, the Steinbergers and G.M.H. Waites -- all of whom contributed to the first three volumes although n o t necessarily on the same subject and welcome newcomers to this volume such as Nancy Alexander, Larry Ewing, Martti Kormano, S. J. Main, A.R. Means and W.B. Neaves. Although the selection of material may strike some as rather arbitrary it does fairly accurately reflect the move away from the mere cytological aspects of spexmatogenesis to the more recent and exciting concern with the mole-
-
257
cular mechanisms controlling testis function and the way it may be influenced by external factors. As might be expected with such a diverse galaxy of talent, the length of chapters and the style of expression varies considerably but the general standard is high. The book is handsomely illustrated with fine electronmicrographs and clear, helpful line drawings but it was astonishing to see a contrary spermatoon reversing out of the rete testis into the ductuli efferentes in Fig. 1 of Chapter 3! A rather surprising omission in Chapter 8 is any reference to the very high levels of prostaglandins in ram semen. The chapter on autoimmune reactions in the testes is timely and the information on the effect of environmental and pharmacological agents will be welcomed by those concerned with more applied aspects, particularly in relation to the development of an oral contraceptive for males. This book constitutes the most m o d e m and authoritative in-depth review of the endocrine and exocrine functions of the testis and its complex interrelations. As the editors point out in their preface, the fourth volume -- like its predecessors -- is not intended for the popular reader. It can, however, be recommended to all seeking detailed knowledge of the testicular function of a broad group of species and it will be of great interest to advanced students and all professional male chauvinists working in the fields of biology, endocrinology, reproduction, animal production and fertility control. I AN G. WHITE (Sydney, N.S. W., Australia)