The last decade has witnessed striking progress in assisted reproductive technology (ART) and over the past few years the success rate of ART has increased significantly due to the introduction of novcl technologies and improved embryo culture systems. Along with this rapid pace of development comes the need for clinicians to keep abreast.

This book brings fresh insights into the pathophysiology of human reproduction, providing up-to-date and practical information on the clinical and laboratory management of subfertility. Particular emphasis is placed on the clinical appraisal of the current and potential strategies to improve the management of the subfertile couple, as well as the various therapeutic options available for the management of subfertility.

The preparation of this book was driven by a desire to provide a hands-on, practical guide to assisted reproduction that would be accessible to those practising in the field of Assisted Reproduction, those working on the establishment and day-to-day running of an IVF clinic, and those with a more general interest in assisted reproduction. The contributing authors include internationally renowned clinicians and scientists actively involved in the field of reproductive medicine and those who are acknowledged in their own fields.

We are most grateful to all who have made the publication of this book possible.

Assisted human reproduction continues its worldwide spread as increasing numbers of patients are treated annually, and more clinicians and scientists enter the field each year. Demand for new knowledge remains insatiable whether on the web, in conferences or textbooks. Demand comes from so many quarters, from medical and scientific professionals, teachers, nurses, counsellors, patients and students, each needing information for their own particular ends. Comprehensive texts covering this wide demand are rare, new books mostly being highly specialised to a particular topic or technique.

Good Clinical Practice in Assisted Reproduction offers this comprehensive approach to the clinical aspects of assisted reproduction. It is unusual among the many books covering this field of biomedicine. Setting out to make data available using a simple form of presentation enabling easy searching, data are presented in 20 straightforward but detailed chapters, each debating topics essential to this form of treatment. Stressing clinical care rather than the scientific aspects of human embryology and their application, successive chapters have a simple and attractive style grouping data under sub-headings at regular intervals. Browsing is made easy without any need for constant recourse to indices or other textbooks. Tables are well laid out and direct, diagrams redrawn to a single style giving a highly attractive layout to the book. References are numerous and complete, present full details to chosen articles and offer advanced knowledge to provide data to more advanced readers in the field. Such simple and direct means of projecting its contents make this book attractive to a wide readership searching for an easy-to-read and easily accessible yet responsible text.