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their greatest value in the detailed treatment of historical developments, but do not always cover the recent literature. Through the arrangement of subjects the series may be more attractive for the nonclinical experimental endocrinologists. The volumes on endocrinology in the Handbook of Physiology, that have appeared thus far present a more convenient reflection of the present state of the art and may put more emphasis on historical nfor.mation for understanding of clinical situa- tions

The technical quality of the book, as usual for Springer-Verlag, is excellent. The price may be a handicap for large sales, but the book should cer- tainly be read by all those actively interested in research on androgens and as a source of reference it should be present in libraries of institutes interes- ted in clinical or experimental aspects of steroid and gonadotropic hormones.

H. J. van der Molen, Rotterdam

Biochemische Forschungsergebnisse bei der Gestu- tion und am Corpus Luteum

A. Reist (ed) Fortschritte der Geburtshilfe und Gynakologie, Vol. 50 S. Karger, Base1 - Munich - Paris - London - New York - Sydney, 1973 (viii - 171 pp, 48 Figs., 55 Tables) S. Fr. 79.-; US$ 24.50; DM 76. - ; L 10.00

This volume consists of two contributions: 1. J. S&mid: Clukose, Laktat und Pyruvat in

der Schwungerschaft und unter der Ceburt, pp. l-99. In this part of the volume an accurate description is presented of the physiological and pathological changes of glucose, lactate and pyruvate concen- trations in mother and fetus during labor. The possible causes of these changes are discussed. Moreover, the concentrations of glucose, lactate and pyruvate were determined in amniotic fluid, and in maternal blood during pregnancy.

For a better understanding of intrauterine meta- bolic acidosis as a consequence of increased anaero- bic glycolysis, and of postpartum hypoglycemia, this study is a conditio sine qua non. This study is of impressive thoroughness and clarity. It is a basic

contribution to a problem of the utmost importance for the practicing obstetrician.

2. V. Unbehaun: Aminopeptidase, Aminosiiure arylamidasen und Neuraminidase als Bestandteile eines Systems Kataboler Enzyme im Corpus Luteum, pp. 100-171. The author proves the existence of more than one ovarian leucin aminopeptidase acti- vity. A cyclic ovarian change of this enzyme is demonstrated.

A mitochondrial and lysosomal subcellular frac- tion of human and porcine corpora lutea contains neuraminidase activity. This enzyme liberates N- acetyl neuraminic acid from hypophyseal and pla- cental gonadotropic hormones. Inactivation of gonadotropins by splitting off N-acetylneuraminic acid by neuraminidase could well provide an expla nation of local control of gonadotropic activity in the corpus luteum.

This part of the volume contains basic work suited for a possibly better understanding of local action of gonadotropic hormones.

H. A. I. M. van Leusden, Arnhem

Epithelial Abnormalities qf the Cervix Uteri

F. A. Langley and A. C. Crompton Recent Results in Cancer Research Vol. 40 Springer-Verlag, Berlin - Heidelberg -- New York, 1973 (viii + 203 pp., 81 Figs, 30 Tables) DM 58:-; ca US$ 26.10

This volume was written by a pathologist and a gynecologist, who as they state in the introduction, have intended “to sit back and view a disease as a biological experiment in order to improve our under- standing of its evolution and thereby gain some insight into its possible control”. in the first chapter a well-organized survey is presented of the literature on the histology of the normal cervix as studied by means of both light and electron microscopy. Also the histochemistry of the squamous and co- lumnar cervical epithelium is discussed. The effects of exogenous and endogenous substances on cellu- lar development and differentiation are briefly mentioned. In the two following chapters a review is given of the definitions and diagnostic criterix of the benign epithelial abnormalities of the cervia

160 Book reviews

and of the spectrum of premalignant and malignant changes. The diagnostic value of cytology and colposcopy is dealt with rather superficially.

According to the authors’ objective, the chapter on the natural history of malign cervical lesions should be considered the key stone of the book. Unfortunately, it appears difficult to regard this chapter as such. It presents an incomplete compi- lation of data from the literature, without the critical approach and evaluation that one would have expected. For instance, Kottmeier’s article from 1953, in which he stated that in his series of untreated carcinoma in situ only 13.6 % deve- loped invasive carcinoma during a follow-up ran- ging from 1 to 14 years, is discussed (p. 89). But an article by the same author written in 1961 (Rev. franp gym&., 56, 821) in which he arrived at a percentage of 71 ‘A is not mentioned.

Petersen’s well-known statistics are presented in detail (p. 89) without any comment on the bias of this retrospective study. Besides Richart (p. 90) there are a good many other investigators who

have employed nondestructive methods such as cytology, colposcopy and colpomicroscopy for the follow-up of dysplasia and carcinoma in situ. Here also a critical discussion would have been appro- priate.

The chapters on the morphology, morphogenesis and etiology of cervical epithelial abnormalities are adequate, though certain passages (p. 118, last paragraph) are hardly understandable because of the rather complicated style of exposition. The extensive biography of over 700 references covers the literature through 1970 rather well. It then wastes away rapidly with 16 references for 1971 (of which 2 are unpublished observations and 2 are doctoral theses), none for 1972 and 1 for 1973.

In conclusion, I feel that the objective put for- ward in the introduction has not been reached. This volume can be recommended, however, to aathologists and gynecologists who are looking for a compilation from the literature on epithelial abnormalities of the uterine cervix.

H. C. S. Wallenburg, Rotterdam