Animal Models and Human Reproduction

Based on results from the past ten years, this ready reference systematically describes how to prepare, carry out, and evaluate animal studies for cancer therapies, addressing the widely recognized lack of reliable and reproducible results. Following a short historical introduction and a discussion of the ethics surrounding animal experiments, the book describes correct study design as well as the handling and housing of animals. It then goes on to describe the animal models available for different cancer types, from natural cancer models in mice and dogs to humanized animals. An evaluation of previously unpublished long-term data from the Swiss canine and feline cancer registry is also included. The final part of the book reviews the lessons learned over the last decade on how to interpret data from animal studies for improving human therapy and gives recommendations for future drug development.

In vitro fertilization (IVF) and other assisted reproductive technologies (ART) have become a significant part of human reproduction, with already one in 50 children worldwide being born through ART and the demand steadily increasing. To accommodate the various kinds of infertility problems, new methods have been developed to increase IVF and ART success rates and it has also become possible to treat sperm, eggs, and embryos in culture to improve reproductive success, to increase the health state of an embryo, and to prevent disease in the developing child. Human Reproduction: Updates and New Horizons focuses on recent developments and new approaches to study egg and sperm cells and embryo development, as well as addressing the increasing demand for IVF and ART to overcome infertility problems of various kinds that are encountered by an increasing number of couples worldwide. The book includes 10 chapters written by experts in their specific fields to provide information on sperm selection techniques and their relevance to ART; In vitro maturation of human oocytes: current practices and future promises; Molecular biology of endometriosis; Novel immunological aspects for the treatment of age-induced ovarian and testicular infertility, other functional diseases, and early and advanced cancer immunotherapy; Mitochondrial manipulation for infertility treatment and disease prevention; Novel imaging techniques to assess gametes and preimplantation embryos; Clinical application of methods to select in vitro fertilized embryos; New horizons/developments in time-lapse morphokinetic analysis of mammalian embryos; The non-human primate model for early human development; Cytoskeletal functions, defects, and dysfunctions affecting human fertilization and embryo development. This book will appeal to a large interdisciplinary audience, including researchers from both the basic science and medical communities. It will be a valuable reference for IVF clinicians, patients and prospective patients who are considering ART procedures, embryologists, cell biologists and students in the field of reproduction.

Vitamins in Animal and Human Nutrition contains concise, up-to-date information on vitamin nutrition for both animals and humans. The author defines these nutrients and describes their fascinating discovery, history and relationship to various diseases and deficiencies. Discussion of vitamins also includes their chemical structure, properties and antagonists; analytical procedures; metabolism; functions; requirements; sources; supplementation and toxicity. Vitamin-like substances, essential fatty acids and vitamin supplementation considerations are also examined. This book will be useful worldwide as a textbook and as an authoritative reference for research and extension specialists, feed manufacturers, teachers, students and others. It provides a well-balanced approach to both animal and clinical human nutrition and compares chemical, metabolic and functional aspects of vitamins and their practical and applied considerations. A unique feature of the book is its description of the implications of vitamin deficiencies and excesses and the conditions that might occur in human and various animal species.

Assisted reproduction techniques have led to the birth of 4 million babies worldwide Assisted reproduction techniques (ART), in particular in-vitro fertilization and intra-cytoplasmic sperm injection, are the most advanced forms of infertility treatment. They involve numerous counseling, medical, surgical and laboratory-based steps. At each step various problems and complications could be encountered that challenge even the most experienced ART practitioners. Moreover, patients with complex medical disorders may require ART, presenting further challenges. Assisted Reproduction Techniques will stimulate resourceful thinking in the ART practitioner when faced with these challenges. It outlines various management options, the reasoning behind them, and the evidence on which they are based to enable the practitioner to choose the most suitable solution for the needs of each patient. Written by 122 internationally renowned experts, Assisted Reproduction Techniques follows the patient's journey throughout the whole ART process, with chapters on: Counseling and preparation Ovarian stimulation Oocyte retrieval Embryo transfer The luteal phase The ART laboratory The male patient The ART pregnancy Each of the 100 concise chapters includes clinical cases, background, evidence-based practical management options, preventive measures and key-point summaries of the important details. Assisted Reproduction Techniques gives a wide-ranging practical guide to all those wishing to support couples who cannot conceive naturally.

A comprehensively updated and reorganized new edition. The updates include comparative methods for improving reliability; methods for optimal allocation of limited resources to achieve a maximum risk reduction; methods for improving reliability at no extra cost and building reliability networks for engineering systems. Includes: A unique set of 46 generic principles for reducing technical risk Monte Carlo simulation algorithms for improving reliability and reducing risk Methods for setting reliability requirements based on the cost of failure New reliability measures based on a minimal separation of random events on a time interval Overstress reliability integral for determining the time to failure caused by overstress failure modes A powerful equation for determining the probability of failure controlled by defects in loaded components with complex shape Comparative methods for improving reliability which do not require reliability data Optimal allocation of limited resources to achieve a maximum risk reduction Improving system reliability based solely on a permutation of interchangeable components

Bovine Reproduction A complete resource for practical, authoritative information on all aspects of bovine theriogenology The newly revised Second Edition of Bovine Reproduction delivers a comprehensive overview of all major issues in bovine reproduction. Written by leading experts in the subject, the book is an indispensable reference for any veterinarian dealing with bovine fertility. Bovine Reproduction is divided into sections on the bull, the cow, the neonate, and assisted reproduction techniques. New chapters cover new gene manipulation technologies, managing problem donors, lameness, and more. Outdated and redundant information from the First Edition has been removed and replaced by coverage of new diseases, technologies, procedures, techniques, and approaches to fertility problems. A new companion website provides images and tables from the book in PowerPoint format. In addition to more than 675 full-color images, readers will also benefit from: A thorough discussion of the anatomy and physiology of the bull, including the endocrine and exocrine function of bovine testes and the thermoregulation of the testes An exploration of breeding and health management of bulls, including the evaluation of breeding soundness and ultrasound examination of the reproductive tract An examination of the anatomy, physiology, and the breeding and health management of cows, including fetal programming, the reproductive tract microbiome, and a section on obstetrics and reproductive surgery A review of the management of both critical care of the neonate and effective colostrum assessment and provision An introduction to assisted and advanced reproductive technologies A practical and comprehensive reference, Bovine Reproduction is a must-have purchase for bovine practitioners, theriogenologists, animal scientists, veterinary students, and residents with an interest in cattle.

A practically-focused resource for business valuation professionals Financial Valuation: Applications and Models provides authoritative reference and practical guidance on the appropriate, defensible way to prepare and present business valuations. With contributions by 30 top experts in the field, this new fourth edition provides an essential resource for those seeking the most up-to-date guidance, with a strong emphasis on applications and models. Coverage includes state-of-the-art methods for the valuation of closely-held businesses, nonpublic entities, intangible, and other assets, with comprehensive discussion on valuation theory, a consensus view on application, and the tools to make it happen. Packed with examples, checklists, and models to help you navigate your valuation project, this book also provides hundreds of expert «tips» and best practices in clear, easy-to-follow language. The companion website provides access to extensive appendix materials, and the perspectives of valuation thought-leaders add critical insight throughout each step of the process. Valuation is an important part of any organization's overall financial strategy, and seemingly-small inaccuracies or incomplete assessments can have big repercussions. This book walks you through the valuation process to give you the skills and understanding you need to get it done right. Learn best practices from 30 field-leading experts Follow clear examples for complex or unfamiliar scenarios Access practical tools that streamline the valuation process Understand valuation models and real-world applications The business valuation process can become very complex very quickly, and there's no substitute for clear guidance and a delineated framework in the run-up to completion. Get organized from the beginning, and be systematic and methodical every step of the way. Financial Valuation: Applications and Models is the all-encompassing, expert guide to business valuation projects.

Survival analysis concerns sequential occurrences of events governed by probabilistic laws. Recent decades have witnessed many applications of survival analysis in various disciplines. This book introduces both classic survival models and theories along with newly developed techniques. Readers will learn how to perform analysis of survival data by following numerous empirical illustrations in SAS. Survival Analysis: Models and Applications: Presents basic techniques before leading onto some of the most advanced topics in survival analysis. Assumes only a minimal knowledge of SAS whilst enabling more experienced users to learn new techniques of data input and manipulation. Provides numerous examples of SAS code to illustrate each of the methods, along with step-by-step instructions to perform each technique. Highlights the strengths and limitations of each technique covered. Covering a wide scope of survival techniques and methods, from the introductory to the advanced, this book can be used as a useful reference book for planners, researchers, and professors who are working in settings involving various lifetime events. Scientists interested in survival analysis should find it a useful guidebook for the incorporation of survival data and methods into their projects.

Survival analysis concerns sequential occurrences of events governed by probabilistic laws. Recent decades have witnessed many applications of survival analysis in various disciplines. This book introduces both classic survival models and theories along with newly developed techniques. Readers will learn how to perform analysis of survival data by following numerous empirical illustrations in SAS. Survival Analysis: Models and Applications: Presents basic techniques before leading onto some of the most advanced topics in survival analysis. Assumes only a minimal knowledge of SAS whilst enabling more experienced users to learn new techniques of data input and manipulation. Provides numerous examples of SAS code to illustrate each of the methods, along with step-by-step instructions to perform each technique. Highlights the strengths and limitations of each technique covered. Covering a wide scope of survival techniques and methods, from the introductory to the advanced, this book can be used as a useful reference book for planners, researchers, and professors who are working in settings involving various lifetime events. Scientists interested in survival analysis should find it a useful guidebook for the incorporation of survival data and methods into their projects.

With the dramatically rising sophistication of biological methods and products and the increasing use of recombinant DNA technology, now is an apt time to review the status of biotechnology in animal feeding. This book gives succinct yet comprehensive coverage of products of biotechnology and allied sciences used in animal feed and feeding industries. Particular emphasis is placed on: – Conservation and upgrading of feeds and feed components – Increasing the protein value of feeds – Antimicrobials – Microbial feed additives – Increasing the energy value of feeds. Moreover, increasing environmental concerns are reflected in chapters describing dietary products which may help to reduce environmental hazards from animal feeding enterprises. A discussion of social and legislative aspects relating to biotechnology and animal feeding rounds off this useful compilation of timely articles.