Vascular Morphogenesis in the Female Reproductive System

The field of angiogenesis is one of the most exciting fields in
contemporary biomedical research. Angiogenesis in the healthy adult is
primarily associated with pathological conditions such as tumor
growth, inflammation, ischemia, and retinopathies. Physiological
angiogenesis in the healthy adult is restricted to the organs of the
female reproductive system where it occurs cyclically as well as
during pregnancy. The importance of vascular morphogenetic events in
the female reproductive system is increasingly being recognized. For
example, it has a vital role in normal ovarian function, endometriosis
and placental function as well as being important in reproductive
tumors of the mammary gland, ovary and uterus. The insights gained
from studying this system have a more general interest too since they
help shed light on the fundamental characteristics and components
involved in the formation of the vascular system and blood vessels
during development, and during tumorigenesis.
This is the first book that reviews and presents recent advances in
the emerging field of reproductive vascular biology. It is divided
into four parts reflecting the four female reproductive organs
(breast, ovary, uterus, and placenta) and the authors cover both the
basic biological processes involved and also stress their clinical
significance.
The book will interest vascular and reproductive biologists as well as
cell and developmental biologists interested in angiogenesis and
vasculogenesis.