Note: Cover -- Contents -- Preface -- Immunology of the Male Reproductive System, Male Infertility and Contraception -- Immune Privilege and Inflammation of the Testis -- Abstract -- Introduction -- Immunobiology of the Testis -- Immune Cells in the Testis -- Possible Mechanisms of Testicular Immunoregulation -- The Dual Role of Cytokines in the Testis -- Inflammation of the Testis -- Experimental Orchitis -- Inflammation of the Human Testis -- Conclusion and Outlook -- References -- The Role of Antisperm Antibodies during Fertilization and for Immunological Infertility -- Abstract -- Introduction -- Tests for ASA -- Analysis of Cognate Antigens of ASA and Influence on Sperm Function -- Agglutination -- Motility -- Cervix Mucus Penetration -- Acrosome Reaction -- Zona Binding and Zona Penetration -- Oolemma Binding -- Pronucleus Formation -- Treatment Options -- References -- Target Antigens for Sperm-Immobilizing Antibodies Found in Infertile Women -- Abstract -- Introduction -- Characterization of Monoclonal Antibodies Showing SI Activity -- Biological Function of CD52 -- Conclusion -- References -- Implantation, Female Infertility, IVF, Contraception -- Cytokines and Implantation -- Abstract -- Introduction -- The (Still Mysterious!) Role of the Uterus -- Embryonic Cytokines and Implantation? -- Maintenance of the Corpus luteum in Ovine and Bovine Species: The tau-Interferons -- The Uterine Side -- IL-1 -- LIF -- IL-11 -- CSFs -- IL-6 -- IL-4 -- Th3 Cytokines: TGF-beta -- The Main Th2 Cytokine: IL-10 -- IL-13 -- TNF -- New Cytokines: Vascularization and New Role for NKs -- Conclusion -- References -- T Helper 1 and 2 Immune Responses in Relationship to Pregnancy, Nonpregnancy, Recurrent Spontaneous Abortions and Infertility of Repeated Implantation Failures -- Abstract -- Introduction -- Menstrual Cycle and Immune Responses. , Peri- and Postimplantation Endometrium -- Cytokine Regulation in Women with Infertility -- Pregnancy Losses and Cytokine Networks -- Influence of Th1 and Th2 Cytokine Gene Polymorphisms in Pregnancy Loss -- Conclusion -- References -- Relationship between Cytokine Concentration in Serum and Preovulatory Follicular Fluid and in vitro Fertilization/ Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection Outcome -- Abstract -- Introduction -- Insulin-Like Growth Factors -- Heparin-Binding Epidermal Growth Factor -- Leukemia Inhibitory Factor -- Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor -- Transforming Growth Factor -- Basic Fibroblast Growth Factor -- Tumor Necrosis Factor -- Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor -- Colony-Stimulating Factor-1 -- Granulosa Colony-Stimulating Factor -- Stem Cell Factor -- References -- Immunocontraceptive Approaches in Females -- Abstract -- Introduction -- Targets for Immunological Intervention in the Female Reproductive System -- Immunological Intervention at Prefertilization Stage -- Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone -- Sperm-Specific Antigens -- Zona pellucida Glycoproteins -- Active Immunization with ZP Glycoproteins -- ZP Glycoproteins from Native Source -- Recombinant ZP Glycoproteins -- ZP Glycoprotein-Based Live Recombinant Vectors -- ZP Glycoprotein-Based DNA Vaccine -- ZP Glycoprotein-Based Synthetic Peptides -- Immunological Intervention at Postfertilization Stage -- Concluding Comments -- Acknowledgments -- References -- Pregnancy-Associated Immunoregulatory Molecules Discovered in Ruminants and Their Possible Relevance to Other Species -- Abstract -- Introduction -- Interferon-tau -- The Uterine Serpins -- Relevance to Other Species -- Acknowledgments -- References -- Intravenous Immunoglobulin in the Prevention of Recurrent Miscarriage: Does It Work? -- Abstract -- Introduction -- Studies of IvIg Treatment of RM. , Patient Subsets and Treatment Protocols May Determine Outcome of IvIg Studies -- Patient Subsets -- Treatment Protocols -- Negative Aspects of IvIg Use in RM -- Conclusions -- References -- Aspects of Allergy and Autoimmunity Before and During Pregnancy -- IgE-Mediated Allergy against Human Seminal Plasma -- Abstract -- Introduction -- IgE-Mediated Reactions to Specific Components of the Seminal Plasma -- Frequency -- Symptomatology -- Age of the Patients -- Predisposing Factors -- Allergens in Seminal Plasma -- Diagnosis -- Therapeutic Options -- Human Seminal Plasma Allergy and Infertility -- Practical Suggestions -- References -- Antiphospholipid Antibodies and Reproductive Failure -- Abstract -- Introduction -- A Brief Historical Background -- Laboratory aPLs Examination -- APA sy and aPLs in Reproductive Failure -- Reproductive Failure and Neuroendocrine-Immunological Association -- Conclusion -- Acknowledgment -- References -- Oxidative Stress and Autoimmune Response in the Infertile Woman -- Abstract -- Introduction -- Redundant Loop Oxidation/Inflammation and Autoimmunity -- Oxidative and Inflammatory Factors That Cause Female Infertility -- Oxidative Stress -- Chronic Inflammation -- Autoimmunity -- Oxidative and Inflammatory Factors in Reproductive Function -- Gametes -- Preimplantation Embryo and Endometrium -- Pregnancy/Abortion -- Concluding Remarks -- Acknowledgment -- References -- Immunoregulation of Trophoblast Invasion -- Trophoblast Invasion and Placentation: Molecular Mechanisms and Regulation -- Abstract -- Introduction -- Adhesion Molecules -- Proteases -- Regulation of Trophoblastic Invasion -- Steroids -- Extracellular Matrix -- Hormones and Cytokines -- Immune System -- Transcription Factors -- Conclusions -- Acknowledgments -- References -- Signal Transduction in Trophoblast Invasion -- Abstract. , Introduction: Trophoblast and Tumor as Models for Comparative Investigation of Signal Transduction -- Janus Kinase-Stat Signal-Transducing Pathway -- The Pathway -- Introducing Stat3 -- Stat3 Knockout Model: Relevance for Reproduction? -- Stats and Trophoblast Invasiveness -- Ras Protein-MAPK Signal-Transducing Pathway -- The Pathway -- Introducing MAPK -- MAPK and Reproduction -- Possible Cross Talk? -- A Few Examples: Leptin Receptor and gp130 -- MAPK-Stat Interactions -- Mammalian Target of Rapamycin-MAPK-Stat Interactions -- Conclusions -- Acknowledgment -- References -- Author Index -- Subject Index -- A -- B -- C -- D -- E -- F -- G -- H -- I -- J -- K -- L -- M -- N -- O -- P -- R -- S -- T -- U -- V -- Z.

Note: Intro -- Contents -- Forword -- Local Immunotherapy in Allergy -- Mucosal Immunity - Mucosal Tolerance -- Antigen Resorption from the Gastrointestinal Tract -- Allergen Biodistribution in Humans -- Therapeutic Procedures of Sublingual Immunotherapy in Clinical Practice -- Efficacy of Sublingual Immunotherapy in Grass Pollen Allergy -- Efficacy of Desensitization via the Sublingual Route in Mite Allergy -- Efficacy of Sublingual Immunotherapy in Asthma and Eczema -- Nasal Application of Immunotherapy -- Nonspecific Plasma Proteins during Sublingual Immunotherapy -- Safety of Allergen-Specific Sublingual Immunotherapy and Nasal Immunotherapy -- The WHO ARIA (Allergic Rhinitis and Its Impact on Asthma) Initiative -- Local Immunotherapy in Allergy: Prospects for the Futur -- Author Index -- Subject Index.