This contributed volume gathers the latest knowledge in the field of stem cells in human reproductive organs, as well as animal models, and to consider the possibility of using this knowledge for clinical purposes. The scope of the book covers both clinical and basic knowledge of stem cells in both reproductive medicine (gynecology and obstetrics) and regenerative medicine as well as cellular and molecular medicine and reproductive biology. Chapters on basic stem cell knowledge in human reproductive tissues and organs or animal models are included, as well as clinical knowledge on their role in the manifestation of infertility and cancer and their clinical use.

Autorentext

Prof. Irma Virant Klun, reproductive biologist and senior clinical embryologist, was employed for 25 years as the head of a very busy in vitro fertilization (IVF) laboratory at the Gynecology and Obstetrics Clinic of the University Medical Centre Ljubljana. With her colleagues, she introduced almost all in vitro fertilization procedures into clinical practice, including preimplantation genetic diagnosis and cryopreservation of reproductive cells and tissues in young cancer patients for preservation of their fertility before oncotherapy. In this way, many children were born to couples with the most severe forms of infertility. As a senior researcher at the Clinical Research Centre she is now involved in the project of setting up a new biobank of biological samples and a central cell laboratory at the University Medical Centre Ljubljana. She is an active researcher, interested in infertility, reproductive biology, endocrine disruptors and especially stem cells in the reproductive tissues/organs for possible cellular therapies to treat infertility and is habilitated as a full professor at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana. She is currently the author/co-author of 94 peer-reviewed articles in the field of reproductive medicine.

Inhalt

Preface
- Irma Virant KlunCenter for Clinical Research, University Medical Center Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia, irma.virant@kclj.si Chapters1. Challenges of Stem Cell Therapies for the Treatment of Infertility in Reproductive MedicineMyriam Martin-Inaraja and Cristina Eguizabal 2. Regeneration of Human Ovaries Through Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation Is Becoming a RealityIrma Virant-Klun 3. In Vitro Activation of Follicles for Treatment of Ovarian InsufficiencyKazuhiro Kawamura and Tuyen Kim Cat Vo4. Ovarian Cancer Stem Cells and their Regulatory Mechanisms: Potential TargetsSeema C. Parte, Moorthy P. Ponnusamy, Surinder K. Batra, and Sham S. Kakar 5. Ovarian Cancer Stem Cells: Approach to Individualized MedicineNatas a Kenda S uster 6. New Insights in Spermatogonial Stem CellsSabine Conrad, Hossein Azizi, Mehdi Amirian, Maryam Hatami, and Thomas Skutella 7. Spermatogonial Stem Cell Cryopreservation for Fertility PreservationMarija Vilaj, Branka Golubic -C epulic , and Davor Jez ek 8. Endometrial Stem Cells and EndometriosisStefano Canosa, Andrea Roberto Carosso, Marta Sestero, Alberto Revelli, and Benedetta Bussolati 9. Pathogenesis of Endometriosis: Are Endometrial Stem/Progenitor Cells Involved?Antonio Simone Lagana` and Antoine Naem 10. Stem Cell Transplantation for Endometrial Regeneration in HumansLuci a de Miguel Gömez, Antonio Pellicer, and Irene Cervellö 11. Germinal Origin of Very Small Embryonic-like Stem Cells (VSELs): Relation to Primordial Germ CellsMariusz Z. Ratajczak, Janina Ratajczak, and Magda Kucia12. The Role of Very Small Embryonic-like Stem Cells (VSELs) in Reproductive TissuesDeepa Bhartiya, Pushpa Singh, Ankita Kaushik, and Diksha Sharma 13. Amniotic Membrane: A Unique Combination of Stem-Like Cells and Extracellular Matrix with Indispensable Potential for Regenerative MedicineTaja Z eleznik Ramuta, Larisa Tratnjek, and Mateja Erdani Kreft 14. Human Umbilical Cord Blood Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation in Kidney Injury Animal Models: a Critical ReviewMartina Pers e and Z eljka Vec eric -Haler 15. Stem Cells in Human Breast Milk and NeonateJure Bedenk