Our Human Odyssey

Our Human Odyssey: Becoming Female and Male focuses oncritical aspects in the development and biology of our reproductivesystem. A wealth of information not readily available to thegeneral reader is complemented with a rich assortment ofhistorical perspectives and commentaries. It begins with theamazingly complex, seemingly miraculous processed that lead tothe formation of eggs and sperm, follows the fetal developmentof the genital tissues, the post-pubertal reproductive functionsof females and males, the pubertal transition, and finally ourreproductive twilight. The next section focuses on fertilizationand implantation, birth and lactation, and exciting new studiesrelating the origins of chronic adult diseases to our pre-birthenvironment in the womb. The third section covers pregnancyloss and birth defects, while the final section reviews birthcontrol methods, the causes of infertility and the new growthindustry - assisted reproduction. In addition, three appendicessupplement the main text and provide more detailed informationabout sex chromosomes, mutations, hormonal integrations of thereproductive system, and disorders of sexual development.