Due to the introduction of molecular and cellular biology approaches, our understanding of ovarian physiology has reached a new level during the last few years. The present volume provides a new perspective on the ovary from molecular and cellular to whole organ levels, from non-mammalian and rodent to human levels and from paracrine, neuroendocrine and endocrine levels as well. These papers represent the proceedings of the Ninth Ovarian Workshop sponsored by Serono Symposia, USA, July 9-11, 1992 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina.

Recent advances in molecular biology have provided new dimensions in the study of the reproductive system. There has been major progress in our understanding of the molecular mechanisms of hormone action in the past few' years. The symposium on "Molecular Basis of Reproductive Endocrinology" was organized to highlight new research findings on the regulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis. The emphasis of the symposium was on physiological questions answered by the molecular biology approach. Studies on the functional relevance of gonadotropin releasing hormone and LH and FSH gene...