A number of good books have been published on the scientific and technical aspects of micromanipulation. However, they are usually aimed at the experienced practitioner with limited benefit to those working in an environment that is often largely devoid of expert technical support. In contrast, the primary objective of this book is to provide an easy-to-follow, step-by-step guide to micromanipulation techniques, with an emphasis on troubleshooting the myriad difficulties inevitably encountered. Indeed, the original idea for this book arose from a chance meeting between the authors. We realized that we shared a common experience despite our diverse backgrounds. Having introduced students to the equipment and techniques involved in micromanipulation, much of our time was then spent acting on a long-distance consultancy basis once these students found themselves back in the ‘real world’ of a clinical assisted reproduction centre. In this respect, the authors have also recognized that many of these challenges are most likely common to those working within the related fields of human assisted reproduction, livestock production, endangered species preservation, and transgenic research. Therefore, an attempt has been made to direct the material at a broad readership wherever relevant.

It is important to appreciate that this is fundamentally a technical manual. Hence, the chapters are designed to be read not in any particular order but as required. Related information within the same chapter as well as within different chapters is cross-referenced wherever necessary.