This volume is intended to serve as a reference for the most current understanding of several reproductive system topics, which cluster around the functioning and development of the systemic physiology of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis and their targets. As the production of gametes is central to life itself particular emphasis has been placed on shining a light on the most current concepts of testicular and ovarian gametogenesis. For example, understanding control of trophic hormone release, understood broadly to be affected by gonadal steroids has advanced due to new knowledge of master switch control by neuropeptides as discussed within. Likewise, modification of gonadal function broadly considered to be driven by gonadotropins is considered in relation to prolactin and steroids. In this regard, too often forgotten and ever emerging concepts from tissues such as bone, immune cell and adipocyte influence on reproduction are also featured. In addition to this paradigm, production by gonadal tissues of factors that regulate non-gonadal tissues such as bone are also considered within this volume. Importantly, the most recent advances of how these systemic regulatory networks are underpinned by local events, governed by new structural information about ligand binding either at the cell surface or within cells, and the mechanisms for nuanced cascades of signalling networks which promulgate those systemic messages are covered.
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