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Journal of Andrology, Vol. 27, No. 4, July/August 2006
Copyright © American Society of Andrology

Book Review

Cytogenetics of Human Germ Cells

edited by R. H. Martin, 216 pp, Basel, Switzerland: Karger; 2005. ISBN: 3805580061. Cost: $72.00.

Institute for Biogenesis Research, University of Hawaii School of Medicine, Honolulu, Hawaii.

Grading Key =outstanding; =excellent; =good; =fair; =poor.

Type of Book: Reprint of Cytogenetic and Genome Research (ISSN 1424-8581) Vol. 111, No. 3–4, 2005; multi-authored; 5 chapters, each containing 4 to 8 review articles; each article provides references; 41 figures (11 in color) and 54 tables.

Scope of Book: This book is a collection of comprehensive reviews on the frequency, origin, and significance of chromosome aberrations in human germ cells, written by experts in the field.

Contents: The book contains 5 chapters, with 4 to 8 articles in each. The majority of the articles are reviews, but some new data are presented as well. The first chapter deals with the frequency and distribution of chromosome abnormalities in human oocytes and spermatozoa and the effects of maternal and paternal age. In the following chapter the authors propose mechanisms causing aneuploidy, such as impaired meiotic recombination, defects in meiotic checkpoint, and biological aging. The next two chapters focus on the relationship between chromosome abnormalities in somatic cells and in gametes, and on gamete chromosome anomalies in infertility. The final part reviews the role of environmental and lifestyle factors in aneuploidy.

Strengths: Cytogenetics of human gametes is not an easy field to explore because of the multitude of published results showing great discrepancies. This book provides the reader with a comprehensive and easy-to-digest summary of what has been happening in the field in the last 30 years. The authors did a great job of compiling all available information in their area of specialty and made this book an invaluable resource for all interested in cytogenetics of germ cells and embryos. In my opinion the strongest parts are the tables showing detailed data with references.

Deficiencies: I do not note any significant weaknesses. A few articles are a bit too detailed and too long, but overall the book is well balanced. I secretly wished for one final conclusion that would give clear answers on all the problems that were tackled, but I knew I wanted the impossible. Too much is still unknown!

Recommended Readership: Cell biologists, geneticists, obstetricians, adrologists, clinicians and staff of ART clinics, and medical and biology students interested in reproduction.

Overall Grading:

Footnotes

DOI: 10.2164/jandrol.06017

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