Office Andrology

The investigation and management of male infertility can be a formidable diagnostic challenge to family physicians, urologists, and reproductive specialists alike. In Office Andrology, noted clinical physicians and scientists have joined forces to create a comprehensive resource guide to current diagnostic and treatment options for a broad spectrum of clinical issues relevant to male infertility disorders. Topics covered range from basic sperm biology and male reproductive endocrinology, to immunology, specialized sperm testing, and the genetic background to male infertility. Although emphasis is on the investigation, diagnostic testing, and management of the infertile male, controversial medical and surgical treatment options are also fully discussed. For the reproductive specialist, the text thoughtfully reviews such timely issues as gender selection, human immunodeficiency virus-discordance couples, and posthumous reproduction. Other topics of interest include laboratory accreditation, vasectomy reversal, ethical and legal considerations of donor insemination, optimizing success in a donor insemination program, and strategic therapies for ejaculatory disorders and erectile dysfunction in infertile men.

Authoritative and highly practical, Office Andrology offers both general practitioners and specialists a concise yet comprehensive desktop reference for answering the complex questions surrounding the evaluation and treatment of male reproductive disorders.

Doody Review Services

Reviewer:David P. Cohen, MD(University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine)
Description:This book satisfies clinicians' need for a concise and practical approach to the evaluation and treatment of the male patient with infertility. The breadth of information in the book makes this a single source to answer medical, surgical, and ethical questions that arise when treating this unique patient population.
Purpose:The purpose is clearly stated in the preface and the authors clearly and concisely follow a logical progression of chapters to address issues associated with male infertility. The authors state that this is a practical guide and it clearly is! There is no question that these are worthy objectives and that the authors achieve them.
Audience:The authors state that the book is targeted at practitioners of all levels of expertise. I agree that even the most seasoned practitioner will find this book useful as a reference, particularly since it is short, concise, and pragmatic.
Features:The book addresses both the simple and the more complicated areas of evaluation and treatment of the infertile male patient. It appears to be written by individuals with ample experience in clinical and laboratory medicine, which is apparent in the insightful comments about potential problems one might encounter during evaluation and/or treatment. I was particularly impressed with the suggestions to assist with laboratory interpretation and the need to discuss issues with patients in order to try and preempt ethical dilemmas. The only area which might be improved in a subsequent edition is the quality of the photos, particularly with the addition of color if possible. In addition, since this book attempts to double as a desk reference, a section of quickly identified protocols for specific situations would be helpful.
Assessment:I would recommend this book to any practitioner caring for males with infertility. In fact, I recommend it for anyone caring for couples with infertility since it addresses common situations associated with the male, but is designed to specifically treat either female infertility or infertility of unknown etiology (e.g., sperm preparation and freezing). Very few books that I am aware of satisfy this niche and this book is easy to navigate and to retrieve information.