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.

Covers both clinical and basic knowledge of stem cells in reproductive medicine Written by experts in reproductive biology Includes translational perspectives

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 reproductivetissues/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
1.Challenges of Stem Cell Therapies for the Treatment of Infertility in Reproductive Medicine.- 2.Regeneration of Human Ovaries Through Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation Is Becoming a Reality.- 3.In Vitro Activation of Follicles for Treatment of Ovarian Insufficiency.- 4.Ovarian Cancer Stem Cells and their Regulatory Mechanisms: Potential Targets.- 5.Ovarian Cancer Stem Cells: Approach to Individualized Medicine.- 6.New Insights in Spermatogonial Stem Cells.- 7.Spermatogonial Stem Cell Cryopreservation for Fertility Preservation.- 8.Endometrial Stem Cells and Endometriosis.- 9.Pathogenesis of Endometriosis: Are Endometrial Stem/Progenitor Cells Involved?.- 10.Stem Cell Transplantation for Endometrial Regeneration in Humans.- 11.Germinal Origin of Very Small Embryonic-like Stem Cells (VSELs): Relation to Primordial Germ Cells.- 12.The Role of Very Small Embryonic-like Stem Cells (VSELs) in Reproductive Tissues.- 13.Amniotic Membrane: A Unique Combination of Stem-Like Cells and Extracellular Matrix with Indispensable Potential for Regenerative Medicine.- 14.Human Umbilical Cord Blood Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation in Kidney Injury Animal Models: a Critical Review.- 15.Stem Cells in Human Breast Milk and Neonate.