Book description
Any events that challenge the survival of living organisms may be
classified as stressors. These stressors could include, for example,
lack of food, increased population pressure, predatory pressure,
climatic events or in the case of humans, loss of a loved one, lack of
financial security or uncertainty in the future. Although most
physiological systems are affected by stress, those systems that
regulate reproductive physiology and behaviour are the most sensitive.
All multicellular organisms show a stress related effect on
reproduction, although the more complex organisms, such as mammals, have
the most complex effects.
The objective of this book is to provide a comparative analysis of
the mechanisms by which stress regulates reproduction exploring the
evolution of stress perceiving systems from the simplest organisms to
humans. Taking an integrated approach, utilising a
genes-to-environment overview, the book examines the stressors that
occur at all levels of organisation. These theories are used to
examine and explain human and animal reproductive behaviour and
physiology under stressful conditions providing a well-written,
concise introduction to this important subject.
David Lovejoy Professor of Neuroendocrinology,
Department of Cell and Systems Biology, University of Toronto
Dalia Barsyte Protagenic Therapeutics Canada Inc., Canada
