Investigations into the mechanisms of spennatogenesis, sperm matura­ tion and fertilization provide the basis of our understanding of male re­ productive physiology. Since in recent years molecular and cellular en­ docrinology has provided particularly important contributions to our knowledge, the European Workshops on Molecular and Celluar Endo­ crinology of the Testis, held regularly during even years since 1980, have become a prominent forum for researchers in the field to discuss recent findings and exchange new ideas. The most recent of these Testis Workshops, the 7th, was held on May 5 - 10, 1992 at Castle Elmau in the Bavarian Alps. The main lectures of this Workshops form the core of this book. In order to provide a broader view of the current status of male re­ production research, this volume also contains the proceedings of the Schering Foundation Workshop on "Basic Mechanisms of Reproduc­ tion and Male Fertility Control" which was held in Berlin on October 31 to November 2, 1991. The topics of the two meetings were planned to complement each other. By combining the proceedings of both workshops, it became possible to produce a book that covers a wide spectrum of current highlights in male reproduction research and pro­ vides the reader with an up-to-date review of the field. The timeliness of the book is emphasized by the fact that it was al­ ready available when the 7th European Testis Workshop took place.

Associate editor: S. Nieschlag