Main description:

The critical role of growth factors in normal as well as abnormal cellular growth and function has become overwhelmingly apparent in recent years. The significant advances in reproductive biology within this rapidly expanding field were highlighted at the Serono Symposia, USA, symposium entitled Growth Factors in Reproduc tion. The conference focused on growth factors as polyfunctional regulators of growth and development in the reproductive system. The program was organized into five areas: (1) growth factors as polyfunctional regulators of growth and development, (2) growth factors and gonadal function, (3) regulation of normal and neoplastic mammary growth, (4) regulatory peptides in reproductive tract development and function, and (5) embryo-maternal signaling. This volume constitutes the contributions ofthe invited symposium speakers and is organized into sections representing the five topic areas of the sessions. Drs. Eli Y. Adashi, Robert B. Dickson, David C. Lee, James Hammond, John A. McLachlan, and R. Michael Roberts, who served as chairmen ofthese sessions, not only provided invaluable advice and assistance in organizing the symposium, but contributed significantly to its content. The enthusiasm and esprit de corps of the poster presenters and discussion participants also helped make this symposium succeed as the first of its kind. Finally, special thanks are due Drs. James Posillico and Lisa Kern ofSerono Symposia, USA, for their guidance and support in the conception and planning of the symposium and in the publication of this volume.

Contents:

I. Growth Factors: Polyfunctional Regulators of Growth and Development.- 1 The Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor: Control of Synthesis Signaling Function.- 2 Transforming Growth Factor ?: A Multifunctional Regulatory Peptide with Actions in the Reproductive System.- 3 Transforming Growth Factor ?: Expression and Biological Activities of the Secreted and Integral Membrane Forms.- II. Growth Factors and Gonadal Function.- 4 Growth Factor Regulation of Testicular Function.- 5 Tumor Necrosis Factor ?: Localization and Actions Within the Preovulatory; Follicle.- 6 Transforming Growth Factors and Ovarian Function.- 7 Intraovarian IGF-I system.- III. Regulation of Normal and Neoplastic Mammary Growth.- 8 EGF-Mediated Growth Control Signal Transduction in the MDA-MB-468 Human Breast Cancer Cell Line.- 9 Mammary Growth Regulation by Transforming Growth Factor ?.- 10 Growth Factors as Local Regulators of Normal and Malignant Human Mammary Epithelium.- IV. Regulatory Peptides in Reproductive Tract Development and Function.- 11 Mullerian Inhibiting Substance Activity in the Development of the Reproductive Tract Lung in the Fetus and Control of Oocyte Meiosis in the Adult.- 12 Growth Factors Affecting Normal and Malignant Prostatic Cells.- 13 Estrogen Regulation of Uterine Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor and Nuclear Proto-Oncogenes.- 14 Estrogens and Growth Factors in the Development, Growth, and Function of the Female Reproductive Tract.- V. Embryo-Maternal Signaling.- 15 Expression Function of Growth Factor Ligands and Receptors in Preimplantation Mouse Embryos.- 16 Colony-Stimulating Factor I in the Mouse and Human Uteroplacental Unit.- 17 Autocrine-Paracrine Role of Lymphohematopoietic Cytokines at the Maternal-Fetal Interface.- 18 Trophoblast Interferons.- Author Index.