Many books are subject to the fundamental questions “Why this topic?” and “Why now?” Scientific texts are perhaps most susceptible because they often present similar topics. As a partial answer to these questions, we paraphrase P. B. Medawar in his Advise to a Young Scientist: We have tried to prepare the kind of book that we ourselves would like to read and have as a reference.

In recent years, the field of reproductive neuroendocrinology has experienced a renaissance brought about by the application of cellular and molecular biological techniques. We have made significant progress in understanding the mechanisms that underlie central nervous system control of reproductive behavior. This progress has been well documented at various meetings and in individual papers. We felt it was necessary, therefore, to offer a collection of essays by some of those who have contributed to this renaissance. We hasten to add that the chapters in this volume do not necessarily reflect all of the vital issues of behavioral neuroendocrinology. Rather, they represent brief reviews by and current data from a number of productive scientists in this field.

Because of a limitation of space, several important topics are not discussed or are only briefly presented in this volume. These include the spinal nucleus of the bulbocavernosus system, cell membrane steroid receptors, interactions of steroids with γ-aminobutyric acid receptors, the songbird neural circuitry, as well as the insect and amphibian models of reproduction and metamorphosis. Each of these models has proved to be extremely useful for studying the effects of sex steroid hormones on the nervous system.