The first edition of In-Vitro Fertilization was published in 1997, when the resources of the Internet and the World Wide Web were not yet widely available: material was compiled using printed information and our own personal experiences. Since that time, an estimated ten million babies have been born as a result of assisted reproductive technology, and the field has expanded into a global, large-scale commercial business, a mega-million-dollar industry.

In 1997, most of the information about reproductive biology and in-vitro culture was based upon research in animal models; over the past 25 years, our understanding of the dynamics and complexities of human embryo physiology, metabolism and implantation has increased significantly, with research on human gametes and embryos contributing to our general knowledge in biology as well as the pathophysiology of disease.  Any Internet query about human IVF is now met with an overwhelming amount of information, in both printed and online journals and resources.

In parallel with this expansion, the human IVF laboratory has undergone radical metamorphosis over the 40+ years of its history. With more than four decades of progress, new technologies have added new tools for investigation that add increasing complexity to the laboratory work and routines. In the 1980’s most IVF biologists were academic PhD scientists – today, in order to understand and interpret the results generated by sophisticated technology, laboratory scientists must be highly trained and experienced, not only in technical proficiency but with a thorough knowledge of reproductive biology. Each edition of In-Vitro Fertilization has been progressively updated to support academic courses specifically designed to provide this background for scientists in the field of ART.

The current commercial nature of clinical IVF has made it susceptible to ‘innovation’ that does not necessarily develop into valid long-term application, and a specific aim in writing each update has been to carefully assess new information in order to include only scientific principles that are likely to remain valid through the test of time, together with in-depth explanation of the new research tools and technology available. The 4^th edition, therefore, retains most of the text of all three previous editions, with the addition of latest updates gained from peer-reviewed published research. Despite the numerous advances in knowledge and technology, the basic biology of the wondrous moment when a spermatozoon and an oocyte transform into the dynamic zygote and start the process that leads to a new life has barely been touched:  through each edition of this book, we have never lost sight of the basic biology of fertilization and early embryology. Consistent with our own backgrounds and interests, we have sought to keep the reader updated with new developing technology, as well both interested and aligned with basic science.

The fourth edition of In-Vitro Fertilization is an up-to-date, comprehensive textbook for IVF practitioners covering the basic science and practical details that underpin successful IVF. The book is written by Kay Elder and Brian Dale.

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