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.