Harding and Bocking have done a considerable service to the field in compiling this timely primer. Although intended as a guide for undergraduate and graduate students, I feel it has a much broader appeal and will serve as a source to introduce this field to a broader audience of new clinicians, scientists and students. 

Allen Everett
Johns Hopkins Hospital, MD

Physiology of the Graafian Follicle and Ovulation
R.H.F. Hunter
New York: Cambridge University Press, 2003, 397 pp., illus., index, $90.00
ISBN: 0-521-78198-1

     This text is an excellent integration of the anatomy, histology and physiology of the Graafian follicle. The first Chapter was devoted to the history of earliest recorded studies on the ovary from 300 B.C. The author has concisely described the myths and false claims that were made in those early days. He has also given credit to those who developed remarkable concepts to understand the process of reproduction (e.g. unilateral ovariectomy). There is a good progression in dates and recordings of milestones in the history of reproductive research. The list of selected volumes concerned with ovarian function in mammals that were published in the twentieth century adds good flavor to this chapter. In Chapter 2, the reader’s attention is drawn to the fact that female sex determination is an active process that is genetically regulated. The physiological events leading to the development of a competent oocyte from a germ cell were summarized, and the factors prompting recruitment of follicles from a pool of primordial follicles and the relationship between an oocyte and its surrounding cumulus cells were adequately discussed. Chapter 3 highlights the essential features of vascularization of the ovary. The relationship between ovarian and uterine vasculature were detailed in light of counter-current exchange of bioactive molecules, and the consequences of such an exchange for the regulation of ovarian function were described. The latter part of this chapter dwelt on two important aspects; the temperature gradient within the ovary and the reasons for a large Graafian follicle. In Chapter 4, the physical nature, chemical composition and formation of follicular fluid and its role in capacitation and acrosomal reaction were addressed. Due to the large amount of information on this topic, the author has resorted to presenting important aspects in tabular format. The author stressed the important influence that the chemical and hormonal environment within the follicle has in determining the developmental potential of its oocyte, a caution to investigators who study the biology of oocyte without considering the potential role of its surrounding fluid. Chapter 5 dealt with the types of steroid, peptide and protein hormones produced by the follicle, and the regulation of their synthesis and functions in the ovary. Importantly, recent information about the roles of endorphins and enkephalins, thermoimaging and nitric oxide were included. Chapter 6 was devoted to the current understanding of the process of follicular recruitment, selection and dominance. Also, the key roles of the oocyte in the regulation of cumulus cell function and follicle atresia were discussed. In Chapter 7, the roles of lesser known regulators of reproductive processes, such as GnSAF (gonadotropin surge attenuating factor), MPF (metaphase promoting factor), and MAS (meiosis activating substance) were discussed. Chapter 8 describes the recruitment of immune cells and the roles of their products on ovarian function (especially ovulation). One important message of this chapter is the fact that the process of ovulation following the gonadotropin surge is complex and is controlled by multiple factors. Hence, no single factor or class of factors may be considered as its sole regulator. The fate of follicular fluid following ovulation and the potential roles of a suspension of ovary-derived somatic cells in the fallopian tube were considered in Chapter 9. The next two Chapters (10 and 11) are directed towards the topics of anovulation and induction of ovulation. The genetic determinants of anovulation and their associated syndromes were summarized. The final Chapter is an excellent summary of the book, a recollection of the salient features of the physiology of the Graafian follicle.

     The decision to focus on a well-defined aspect of ovarian physiology is an excellent one. The physiology of the Graafian follicle was handled in a manner that will benefit both student and teacher alike, especially those with interest in comparative aspects of ovarian function. The text contains few controversial findings in the field. When they occur, the author made the effort to provide clarifications for possible sources or causes of conflicting results and in other instances, the author provided personal opinion supported by objective reasoning. This is very good, particularly for students.
The author covered a broad range of topics ranging from macroscopic and microscopic structure of the ovary, development of fetal ovary, development of follicles in the adult ovary, hormones and bioactive products of the ovary, ovulation and fate of the contents of the Graafian follicle following ovulation. In addition to these, the text also contained significant information about topics usually ignored such as ovarian lymphatics and temperature gradients. The summary section on each chapter is informative and thought provoking.
The handling of biochemistry and cell biological aspects of Graafian follicle function was not as strong as the handling of its physiology. This is probably intentional because of the scope of the text and presumably in order to focus the attention of the reader on whole tissue. The author introduced the topics anovulation and induction of ovulation, but some important and relevant information was not provided. Again, perhaps due to the scope of the text since the information on these areas is manifold and complex given the diversity in species.

     The author made an excellent effort in the selection of tables, graphs, drawings, photomicrographs, histological and electron micrographical figures that enhance the understanding of the text and are very helpful in getting important information and concepts across to the reader. The use of figures, drawings and tables from original articles, especially of the earliest investigators, is a strong point of this work. On a few occasions, letters or symbols on the drawings or micrographs were not explained in the legends. However, this omission does not prevent the reader from following the text.
One major accomplishment of the author is the citation of the original articles and the significance of contributions of the earliest investigators in the field. The monograph stressed the history of the development of various areas and concepts in the field.

Augustine T. Peter
Purdue University, IN

Elikplimi K. Asem
Purdue University, IN