It became apparent on entering a commercial toxicology environment and attempting to establish in vitro laboratories that there exists no single, comprehensive text on currently available in vitro toxicological models. This gap in the literature was not due to a paucity of information since this field has been rapidly expanding, particularly in the last decade.

Current interest in this area is prompted by both new Home Office Animal Legislation and an awareness of a need for ethical and scientific alternatives to whole animal experimentation. We hope that this book will appeal to a wide audience including students of toxicology, practising toxicologists and pathologists, regulatory agencies, and those working in academia.

The book is divided into three sections. The first section deals with target organ toxicology and covers such diverse organs as the ear, heart, kidney and brain. This is followed by a second section of general and topical techniques including irritancy and genotoxicity testing. Finally, the various aspects of reproductive toxicology, including teratology and male and female fertility, are described in five separate chapters. All contributions are put into perspective by introductory and concluding chapters.

We would like to thank the Pharmaceutical Companies, and Government and University Departments who gave their staff the time and facilities to produce their contributions to this book. Special thanks are due to our own employers, Smith Kline & French Research Limited, and to the staff of Cambridge University Press.